Name: Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 eggs, beaten; 2 cups cornflakes cereal, crushed; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; Cooking spray or vegetable oil (for greasing); 1/4 cup honey; 2 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to your spice preference); 1 tablespoon melted butter; 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

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This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is a delicious, healthier take on classic crispy fried chicken. The combination of a crispy cornflake coating paired with a spicy-sweet hot honey glaze will quickly become one of your favorite weeknight meals. It’s simple to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for satisfying your cravings without all the guilt.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

What’s not to love about this recipe? The chicken is perfectly crispy on the outside, thanks to the crunchy cornflake coating, and the hot honey glaze adds the perfect balance of heat and sweetness. It’s a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken since it’s baked instead, but still delivers all the satisfaction of crispy, flavorful chicken. Plus, the recipe is quick to prepare and perfect for meal prepping or serving a crowd.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 eggs, beaten

2 cups cornflakes cereal, crushed

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon paprika

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon black pepper

Cooking spray or vegetable oil (for greasing)

For the Hot Honey Glaze:

¼ cup honey

2 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to your spice preference)

1 tablespoon melted butter

1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place a wire rack on a baking sheet and lightly grease it with cooking spray or vegetable oil. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly and gets that perfect crispiness.

Prepare the Chicken: Set up your breading station with three shallow dishes. In the first dish, add the flour; in the second, place the beaten eggs; and in the third, combine the crushed cornflakes, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.

Coat the Chicken: Take each chicken breast and first dredge it in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the beaten eggs, letting any excess drip off, and finally press it into the cornflake mixture until it’s well-coated.

Bake the Chicken: Arrange the coated chicken breasts on the prepared wire rack. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating turns golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C).

Prepare the Hot Honey Glaze: While the chicken bakes, mix together the honey, hot sauce, melted butter, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. You can adjust the hot sauce to suit your spice preference.

Apply the Glaze: When the chicken is done, remove it from the oven and immediately brush each piece generously with the hot honey glaze.

Serve: Let the chicken rest for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve the crispy hot honey chicken with your choice of sides, such as coleslaw, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad.

Servings and Timing

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Servings: 4

Variations

Vegetarian Option: For a meat-free version, you can use cauliflower florets instead of chicken. Just follow the same breading and baking method for a crispy cauliflower alternative.

Spicy Level: Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the glaze to suit your preference for spice. Add more for extra heat or reduce it for a milder flavor.

Crispier Coating: If you prefer an even crispier crust, try using panko breadcrumbs instead of cornflakes for a different texture.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating: Reheat in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving to maintain the crispiness.

FAQs

Can I make the hot honey glaze in advance?

Yes, you can make the glaze ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Just warm it up before brushing it onto the chicken.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs work just as well, and they’ll be even juicier. Just ensure you adjust the cooking time accordingly, as thighs might need a bit longer to cook through.

Can I use a different cereal for the coating?

Yes, you can experiment with different cereals, such as crushed cornflakes or even panko breadcrumbs, for a unique twist.

How can I make this dish spicier?

If you like your chicken extra spicy, increase the amount of hot sauce in the glaze or add some chili flakes to the coating mix for an added kick.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make this recipe gluten-free, simply swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend and ensure your cornflakes are certified gluten-free.

Conclusion

Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is a perfect dish for anyone craving something crispy and flavorful without the guilt of deep frying. The sweet and spicy glaze is the ideal finishing touch, elevating each bite. Whether you're making it for a quick weeknight meal or serving it at a dinner gathering, this recipe is sure to impress. Enjoy the perfect balance of crispy chicken and hot honey goodness.

Recipe:

Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

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Author: Cheryl
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is a healthier, crispy alternative to fried chicken, coated in a crunchy cornflake crust and drizzled with a spicy-sweet hot honey glaze. A perfect balance of heat and sweetness, this quick recipe is ideal for a weeknight meal or a crowd-pleasing dinner. Bake, glaze, and enjoy!

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a wire rack on a baking sheet with cooking spray or vegetable oil.
Set up a breading station: flour in the first dish, beaten eggs in the second, and crushed cornflakes mixed with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in the third.
Coat each chicken breast in flour, dip in eggs, then press into the cornflake mixture.
Arrange the coated chicken breasts on the wire rack and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
While the chicken bakes, whisk together honey, hot sauce, melted butter, and apple cider vinegar for the glaze. Adjust the hot sauce to your spice preference.
Once the chicken is done, brush with the hot honey glaze and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Serve with your choice of sides such as coleslaw or roasted vegetables.