Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
Introduction
When you crave fried chicken’s irresistible crunch but want a lighter, hassle-free meal, this Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe delivers. Perfect for busy evenings or dinner parties, this recipe combines the bold flavors of spicy-sweet hot honey with a shatteringly crisp breadcrumb coating—all without the extra oil from deep frying. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easier, healthier, and every bit as delicious.
Why You’ll Love Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
The beauty of this chicken recipe lies in its perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors. The oven-baked method ensures juicy chicken with a golden, crispy crust that rivals takeout. Drizzling with hot honey at the end amps up the flavor, making every bite better than the last. It’s a fun, flavor-packed dinner option that’ll make weeknight meals exciting again.
Hot Honey: A Signature Touch
Hot honey brings this dish to life. The sticky, spicy sweetness is easy to make by simply mixing your favorite honey with a spoonful of your preferred hot sauce or a pinch of chili flakes. This sauce can be tailored to your spice preference and is brushed over the chicken just after baking for maximum flavor impact.
How to Get That Perfect Crunch When Baking
The secret to the best baked crunch? Double breading! Dip the chicken first in a seasoned flour mixture, then in buttermilk or eggs, and finally in panko breadcrumbs for that irresistible coating. A quick spritz of cooking spray ensures the coating crisps up beautifully in the oven—no frying required.
Serving Suggestions for Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
Pair your hot honey chicken with a crisp coleslaw, roasted potatoes, or fresh corn on the cob for the ultimate dinner. It’s great hot from the oven, but leftovers are fantastic chopped over salads or tucked into sandwiches the next day!
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe serves 4 and each portion (about one chicken breast) provides approximately 300–350 calories, depending on how much hot honey you drizzle. It’s rich in protein and baked rather than fried, making it a healthier option that doesn’t skimp on flavor.
Ingredients
💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to instantly create a shopping list with all ingredients sorted by category for fast, easy grocery trips and streamlined meal planning.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set a wire rack on top for extra crispiness.
- In one shallow bowl, mix the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. In a second bowl, pour the buttermilk (or beat the eggs). Place panko in a third bowl.
- Pat the chicken dry. Coat each piece first in the flour mix, then dip in buttermilk, then finally coat thoroughly with panko. Press gently to help the panko stick.
- Arrange chicken pieces on the prepared rack. Lightly spritz the tops with cooking spray or drizzle a little oil for maximum crunch.
- Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the chicken is cooked through to 165°F internally.
- While chicken bakes, combine honey, hot sauce/chili flakes, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Gently heat until warm and drizzle-able.
- Remove chicken from oven and immediately brush or drizzle generously with hot honey. Serve hot and enjoy!
Weekly Meal Planning
This oven-baked chicken is a fantastic meal prep option for busy weeks and is easy to double for leftovers. Save and schedule this recipe to your weekly meal plan and let smart shopping lists handle all ingredient calculations and organization.
Planning Benefits:
– Consolidates ingredient quantities across all your planned meals
– Creates one streamlined shopping list (eliminating duplicates!)
– Sorts ingredients by store section for efficient shopping
– Helps prevent food waste by only buying what you need
Pro tip: Schedule your meals in advance to see ingredient overlaps and save money. For example, buttermilk can be shared with pancake batter or creamy dressings on other days!
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Enjoy the unbeatable crunch, sweet heat, and convenience of this Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken—a true dinner winner for any occasion!