Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken (Printable)
Golden crunchy chicken baked to perfection with a sweet and spicy honey finish.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
02 - 1 cup buttermilk
03 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Crunchy Coating
05 - 2 cups cornflakes, crushed
06 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
07 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
10 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
→ Dredging
11 - 2 large eggs
12 - 1/4 cup water
→ Hot Honey Drizzle
13 - 1/2 cup honey
14 - 2-3 tablespoons hot sauce
15 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
16 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
17 - Pinch of salt
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set a wire rack on top.
02 - Whisk buttermilk, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Add chicken breasts, turning to coat. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, up to 2 hours in refrigerator for enhanced flavor.
03 - Combine crushed cornflakes, panko breadcrumbs, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper in a shallow dish. Mix thoroughly.
04 - Beat eggs and water together in a separate bowl until well combined.
05 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Dip each piece into egg wash, then press firmly into crunchy coating, ensuring even coverage on all sides.
06 - Place coated chicken on prepared wire rack. Lightly spray or brush with oil for extra crispiness.
07 - Bake for 25-30 minutes until crust is golden and chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F.
08 - Combine honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, and salt in small saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring constantly until smooth and slightly runny. Do not boil.
09 - Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Drizzle generously with hot honey before serving.
# Expert Hacks:
01 -
- The cornflake and panko combo creates this insane crunch that somehow survives the oven
- That hot honey drizzle transforms ordinary chicken into something people literally talk about for days
02 -
- Double coating creates next level crunch, just repeat the egg and crumb steps
- Letting the chicken rest after baking locks in those juices before you cut into it
03 -
- Crush cornflakes right in the bag for minimal cleanup and perfect texture
- Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly, so let it sit out while you prep everything else