Description

This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken recipe features perfectly crispy breaded chicken breasts or thighs baked to golden perfection and glazed with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce. The combination of crunchy panko coating with a sticky, flavorful glaze makes this dish irresistible and easy to prepare, perfect for a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (about 1.5 lbs)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
2 large eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs (for extra crunch)

For the Hot Honey Sauce:

1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to your preferred heat level)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (optional, for tang)

For Garnish (optional):

Fresh chopped parsley
Sesame seeds or crushed peanuts (for added crunch)

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat for easy cleanup.
Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika if using. In another shallow dish, beat the eggs. In a third shallow dish, place the panko breadcrumbs. Dredge each chicken piece first in the flour mixture, then dip in the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the crumbs stick well.
Bake the Chicken: Arrange the breaded chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil to help the coating crisp up during baking. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C) and the crust is golden brown and crispy.
Make the Hot Honey Sauce: While the chicken bakes, combine honey, hot sauce, unsalted butter, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a small saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring occasionally until the butter melts and the sauce becomes smooth. Add apple cider vinegar or lemon juice if you want a tangy flavor, then stir to combine.
Glaze the Chicken: Remove the baked chicken from the oven and drizzle the warm hot honey sauce over it. For extra coverage, you can toss the chicken pieces in the sauce to coat them thoroughly.
Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and sprinkle sesame seeds or crushed peanuts for additional texture and flavor. Serve hot alongside roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Notes

Using panko breadcrumbs gives the chicken an extra crispy texture compared to traditional breadcrumbs.
You can adjust the heat in the hot honey sauce by changing the amount or type of hot sauce used.
Check the internal temperature of chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it is safely cooked through.
Butter helps to enrich and smooth the hot honey sauce, but you may omit or substitute with oil for a dairy-free option.
For a gluten-free version, substitute the all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives.