Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

Introduction

Satisfy your craving for bold flavor and irresistible crunch with Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken. This dish delivers the mouthwatering taste of fried chicken without the mess or excess oil—crisp, oven-baked coating paired with a fiery-sweet hot honey drizzle. It’s a dinner that transforms everyday chicken into a major crowd pleaser, perfect for busy weeknights, casual get-togethers, or family meals where everyone wants seconds.

Deliciously Unique Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

What sets this recipe apart is the combination of tender, juicy chicken, a golden panko crust, and the signature glaze of hot honey drizzled just before serving. The baked method means less fuss but all the crunch, and the hot honey—a blend of sweet and spicy—locks in flavor that keeps everyone reaching for another bite. It’s comfort food with a lively twist!

Preparing the Perfect Crunchy Coating

For maximum crunch, use a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and your favorite seasonings. Lightly toasting the breadcrumbs before coating the chicken adds an extra layer of flavor and helps keep the crust crisp in the oven. Dip each chicken piece first in a spiced flour mixture, then in a whisked egg bath, and finally in the panko coating. Press gently to adhere, ensuring every piece is well covered.

Making and Serving the Signature Hot Honey

The hot honey sauce is both simple and customizable: Combine quality honey with your preferred hot sauce (start with a little for a mild effect, or amp up the heat for spice lovers), then warm slightly to blend flavors. Once the chicken is baked and golden, drizzle it generously with the prepared hot honey. Serve immediately for optimal crunch and melty glaze.

Serving Suggestions for Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

Pair with a crisp green salad, roasted vegetables, or fluffy mashed potatoes for a complete meal. For a crowd, serve as chicken tenders or nuggets with extra hot honey for dipping. A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or a side of pickles provides a tangy contrast to the sweet-heat glaze, making this a guaranteed hit for everyone at the table.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes about 4 servings. Each serving typically contains 350–400 calories, though this can vary based on the thickness of the breading and the amount of hot honey used. It’s a lighter option than traditional fried chicken and can easily be paired with your favorite healthy sides.

Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken (Recap)

This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken recipe delivers maximum crunch and bold flavor while remaining easy to prepare and healthier than classic fried chicken. The layered textures and spicy-sweet glaze make it a meal everyone will want to revisit again and again.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top for extra airflow and maximum crispiness.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add panko breadcrumbs and toast, stirring often, until golden brown—about 3–4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
3. Prepare three bowls: one with flour mixed with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper; one with eggs, beaten; and one with the toasted panko.
4. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Dredge each piece first in seasoned flour, then in egg, and finally coat thoroughly in the toasted panko.
5. Arrange coated chicken on the prepared rack. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temp 165°F) and the crust is crispy and golden.
6. Meanwhile, combine honey and hot sauce in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring to blend.
7. Once chicken is done, remove from oven and drizzle hot honey generously over each piece. Sprinkle with parsley, if desired, and serve immediately.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken recipe lends itself perfectly to meal prep and planning. Save and schedule this recipe to plan your dinners for the week and effortlessly generate smart shopping lists that consolidate ingredients for all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically tallies total ingredient amounts across all your selected recipes
• Organizes your shopping list by grocery section for quick, no-stress shopping
• Reduces the risk of duplicate or forgotten ingredients
• Keeps your weeknight dinners organized and stress free

Pro tip: When you plan your weekly meals, scheduling recipes that use overlapping ingredients (like eggs or panko) automatically adjusts your shopping list for total quantities needed—making bulk shopping easier and reducing waste.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 42 minutes

Enjoy the unbeatable crunch, the sweet chili finish, and the ease of a meal that’s designed for busy home cooks—made even simpler with smart meal planning tools!