Sizzling Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe That Kids Love

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this crispy hot honey chicken recipe strikes the perfect balance between spicy and sweet.

The tantalizing blend of crunchy chicken coated in a fiery hot honey glaze promises an unforgettable meal.

Golden-brown chicken pieces shimmer with a glossy, amber-hued sauce that beckons from the plate.

Each bite delivers a remarkable crunch followed by a warmth that dances across your palate.

The simple ingredients transform an ordinary chicken dinner into a restaurant-worthy experience.

Minimal effort yields maximum flavor, making this dish a weeknight champion.

You’ll want to savor every single morsel of this mouthwatering creation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 4

Hot Honey Chicken Ingredient Rundown

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides a dry base layer for egg and breading to stick, ensuring a crispy exterior.
• Large Eggs: Acts as a glue to help cornflake mixture adhere to chicken, creating a crunchy coating.
• Cornflakes: Delivers an irresistible crunch and golden texture with a satisfying breakfast cereal twist.

• Garlic Powder: Adds deep, aromatic flavor without raw garlic's intensity.
• Paprika: Introduces a subtle warmth and beautiful reddish color to the coating.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that elevate and balance overall taste profile.

• Honey: Provides natural sweetness and helps create a gorgeous glossy finish.
• Hot Sauce: Introduces tangy heat and complexity to the sweet honey base.
• Unsalted Butter: Enriches glaze with luxurious richness and helps blend flavors.
• White Vinegar: Balances sweetness with a bright, sharp undertone in the glaze.

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that serves as the main canvas for this crunchy, sweet-spicy dish.
• Cooking Spray: Ensures extra crispiness and prevents sticking during baking.

What You’ll Need for Crispy Hot Chicken

• Baking Sheet: Flat metal tray for cooking chicken evenly.
• Wire Rack: Helps air circulate around chicken for extra crispiness.
• Shallow Dishes (3): For flour, egg, and cornflake breading stations.
• Whisk: Blends hot honey glaze ingredients smoothly.
• Pastry Brush: Spreads glaze evenly over baked chicken.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Small Bowl: Mixes hot honey glaze ingredients.

Bake Crunchy Chicken Without a Mess

• Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a sizzling 425F. Grab a baking sheet, layer it with parchment paper, and set a wire rack on top. Give it a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.

• Create Crispy Coating Stations

Set up three dishes: one with flour, another with beaten eggs, and the last with crushed cornflakes mixed with zesty seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

• Dress the Chicken in Crunch

Dive each chicken piece into flour, then give it a quick egg bath. Press firmly into the cornflake mixture, making sure every inch gets a gorgeous golden armor.

• Bake to Perfection

Arrange the coated chicken on the prepared rack. Spritz with a light oil mist to amp up the crispiness. Bake for 25-30 minutes until it turns a gorgeous golden brown and hits 165F inside.

• Whip Up Spicy Honey Drizzle

During baking, mix honey, hot sauce, melted butter, and a splash of vinegar into a mouthwatering glaze that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Glaze and Celebrate

Brush the sizzling hot honey over the crispy chicken. Plate up and get ready for a flavor explosion!

Tips to Add Sweet Heat to Every Bite

• Use crushed cornflakes at room temperature for maximum adherence and crunchier texture.
• Prepare breaded chicken up to 8 hours in advance and refrigerate, covered, for convenient meal prep.
• Swap wheat flour with rice flour or gluten-free all-purpose blend and use gluten-free cornflakes for celiac-friendly option.
• Adjust hot sauce quantity to personalize heat intensity – less for mild, more for fiery flavor profile.
• For crispier results, cook breaded chicken in air fryer at 375F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking time.

Serve Chicken That Pops with Flavor

• Comfort Plating Paradise: Serve this crispy chicken over creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice to catch extra glaze drippings.
• Zesty Side Companion: Pair with a cool cucumber salad or tangy coleslaw to balance the hot honey's spicy-sweet kick.
• Fresh Herb Boost: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or chives on top for a bright, green garnish that adds color and freshness.
• Dipping Delight: Prepare extra hot honey glaze on the side as a dipping sauce for those who want an extra flavor punch with their chicken.

Store Crispy Chicken So It Stays Crunchy

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep the chicken separate from the glaze to maintain maximum crispiness.
• Wrap individual chicken pieces in freezer-safe wrap, storing them flat for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Restore crunchiness by warming chicken in a preheated oven at 375F for 10-12 minutes. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy breading.
• Prepare breaded chicken and store uncooked pieces between parchment paper in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. This allows flavors to develop and saves time during meal preparation.

FAQs

• How do I ensure the chicken stays crispy?

Use crushed cornflakes for breading and lightly spray with oil before baking. This creates a crunchy exterior that stays crisp even after glazing.

• Can I adjust the spice level of the hot honey glaze?

Absolutely! Reduce or increase hot sauce according to your heat preference. Start with less and add more gradually to control spiciness.

• What if I don't have cornflakes?

Substitute with panko breadcrumbs or crushed crackers. The key is using a dry, crunchy ingredient that will create a crisp coating on the chicken.

• Is this recipe healthy?

It’s a balanced dish with protein from chicken and a flavorful glaze. To make it lighter, use less butter in the glaze and bake instead of frying.

Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken delivers Southern comfort with Korean-inspired zest. Honey-glazed golden chicken pieces offer home cooks a simple yet remarkable meal that satisfies serious flavor seekers.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (4 oz/113.4 g)
• 2 cups (56 g) cornflakes, crushed
• 1 cup (120 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 tbsp melted butter
• ¼ cup (84 g) honey
• 2 tbsps hot sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• Olive oil or cooking spray

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prep Station: Arrange a wire rack on a parchment-lined baking sheet, thoroughly coating with cooking spray to guarantee optimal crispiness and prevent adherence.
2. Breading Technique: Establish three strategic coating zones – first with flour, second with whisked eggs, third with a dynamic mixture of crushed cornflakes, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
3. Coating Process: Meticulously transform chicken breasts by completely dredging through flour, completely immersing in egg wash, then firmly pressing into cornflake mixture to achieve a comprehensive, textured exterior.
4. Oven Preparation: Strategically position breaded chicken pieces on prepared rack with minimal spacing, lightly misting with oil to enhance golden-brown potential and textural complexity.
5. Roasting Protocol: Transfer baking sheet into preheated 425F (220C) oven, roasting for 25-30 minutes until chicken reaches deep golden coloration and safe 165F (74C) internal temperature.
6. Glaze Creation: Rapidly whisk honey, hot sauce, melted butter, and vinegar into a vibrant, sweet-spicy liquid that will elevate the chicken’s flavor profile.
7. Final Flourish: Immediately upon removing from oven, generously brush chicken with prepared hot honey glaze, ensuring complete and luxurious coverage before serving with complementary accompaniments.

Notes

• Prevent Sticking Smartly: Generously spray the wire rack with cooking oil to create a non-stick surface and boost crispiness for perfect golden-brown chicken.
• Master the Breading Technique: Pat chicken dry before breading to help cornflake mixture adhere better and create a crunchier exterior with maximum texture.
• Temperature Precision Matters: Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches exactly 165F internally, guaranteeing safe consumption without overcooking.
• Glaze Application Strategy: Brush hot honey glaze immediately after removing chicken from oven while still piping hot to ensure maximum flavor absorption and glossy finish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 374
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 92 mg