Description

This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and packed with sweet heat from a homemade hot honey drizzle. It’s a healthier twist on fried chicken with all the crunch and flavor, but none of the deep frying. Perfect for weeknight dinners or weekend cravings!

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
1 cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika

For the Coating:

2 cups cornflakes, crushed
1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko preferred)
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)

For the Hot Honey:

1/2 cup honey
1-2 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken:
In a bowl, whisk together buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Add chicken and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight in the fridge.
Prepare the Coating:
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and place a wire rack on top. Spray the rack with nonstick spray.
In a separate bowl, mix crushed cornflakes, panko, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne.
Coat the Chicken:
Remove chicken from the marinade and let the excess drip off. Press each piece firmly into the cornflake mixture until fully coated. Place on the prepared rack.
Bake:
Lightly spray the tops with oil spray. Bake for 25–30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy and internal temp reaches 165°F.
Make the Hot Honey:
While chicken bakes, heat honey in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in hot sauce and red pepper flakes. Let it warm for a few minutes, then remove from heat.
Serve:
Drizzle hot honey over the crispy chicken just before serving. Enjoy warm!

Notes

For extra crunch, double-coat the chicken by dipping back into buttermilk then crumbs again.
Use chicken thighs for a juicier option.

You can make the hot honey ahead and store it for up to a week.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast
Calories: 420
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 720mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 95mg