There is something seriously irresistible about the combination of sweet, spicy, and ultra-crispy textures that makes the Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe a total game changer. Imagine tender chicken enveloped in a crunchy cornflake coating, baked to golden perfection and then drenched in a vibrant drizzle of hot honey that dances on your taste buds with a perfect balance of heat and sweetness. Whether for a casual weeknight dinner or an impressive party appetizer, this recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser and have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe calls for simple ingredients that come together beautifully to create big flavor and that satisfying crunch. Each component plays a key role in building the layers of taste and texture, from the crispy coating to the spicy-sweet drizzle.
- Chicken tenders or chicken breasts: Choose fresh, tender pieces for juicy results and easy breading.
- Salt: Enhances the natural flavor of the chicken and the breading.
- Pepper: Adds a subtle hint of spice to the seasoning mix.
- Flour: Creates a light base layer that helps the egg and cornflakes stick perfectly.
- Garlic powder: Infuses a savory aroma and depth of flavor.
- Onion powder: Supports a mild sweetness and boosts overall seasoning.
- Eggs: Act as the glue for the crunchy coating, ensuring it clings tightly.
- Cornflakes: The star of the crunch, crushed to coat the chicken in a golden, crispy crust.
- Cayenne pepper (optional): A pinch adds an extra kick without overpowering the dish.
- Olive oil: Helps crisp the coating as the chicken bakes evenly in the oven.
- Hot honey: The luscious finishing touch that brings sweet heat to every bite.
How to Make Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Preheat andPrepare Your Chicken
Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking. Meanwhile, pat your chicken tenders dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture — this step is crucial to achieving that crispy coating that sticks beautifully.
Step 2: Set Up Your Dredging Stations
Create three shallow bowls: one with the seasoned flour mixture combining flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne (if using), a second with beaten eggs to moisten the chicken, and a third filled with crushed cornflakes for that all-important crunch. Organizing this assembly line makes the breading process smooth and mess-free.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken Thoroughly
Take each chicken tender through the stations one by one: first dredging it in the flour mixture for a light dusting, then dipping it into the egg wash for moisture, and finally rolling it in crushed cornflakes, pressing gently so the crumbs adhere perfectly. This triple-layered coating is the secret to the irresistible crispy texture.
Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the coated chicken tenders on a baking sheet lightly drizzled with olive oil to help crisp up the coating. Bake them in your preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure both sides turn a gorgeous golden brown. The aroma in your kitchen at this point will practically call everyone to the table.
Step 5: Drizzle with Hot Honey
Right after removing the chicken from the oven, generously drizzle warm hot honey over each crispy tender. The sweet and spicy sauce instantly melts into the crunchy layers, creating an unforgettable flavor explosion in every bite.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Serve the hot honey chicken tender hot off the tray with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch or honey mustard. Perfectly crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and sweet-spicy all over — this recipe is one that never disappoints.
How to Serve Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
Adding garnishes like chopped fresh parsley, a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds, or thinly sliced scallions introduces a pop of color and fresh flavor that elevates the dish visually and taste-wise. Each garnish adds a little extra zing and brightness to this already flavor-packed meal.
Side Dishes
This Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe pairs wonderfully with cool, crisp salads such as a crunchy coleslaw or a fresh cucumber salad to balance the heat. Creamy sides like mashed potatoes or a smooth potato salad also complement the spicy-sweet notes beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond the plate! Serve these chicken tenders as sliders with soft buns and pickles, or stack them over a bed of fluffy rice or creamy grits for a Southern-inspired feast. You can even skewer the tenders with vegetables for a vibrant, shareable appetizer.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover Crispy Hot Honey Chicken in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It’s best consumed within 2 to 3 days to preserve freshness and crispiness, though the flavor only gets better as the honey melds with the chicken.
Freezing
This dish freezes well! Lay the cooked tenders on a baking sheet spaced apart and freeze until solid before transferring to a sealed freezer bag or container. They can be frozen up to a month without losing their crispy texture after reheating.
Reheating
To reheat and revive that crispy coating, pop the chicken tenders in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes until warm and crunchy again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the crunch intact. Drizzle with fresh hot honey after reheating for best flavor.
FAQs
Can I use regular honey instead of hot honey?
Absolutely! While hot honey adds a delightful spicy kick, regular honey works just fine if you prefer it milder or want to control the heat separately.
Is frying an option for this Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe?
You can fry the chicken for an extra crispy crust, but baking keeps it lighter and less oily while still delivering fantastic crunch and flavor.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders?
Yes! Just slice chicken breasts into strips of similar size as tenders for even cooking and follow the same breading and baking process.
What can I substitute for cornflakes if I don’t have any?
Panko breadcrumbs or crushed crackers are excellent alternatives that will provide a different but still delicious crunchy texture.
How spicy is the dish with cayenne and hot honey?
The spice level is moderate and nicely balanced by the honey’s sweetness, but you can adjust the cayenne amount or omit it for a milder version.
Final Thoughts
I truly hope you give this Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe a try and discover just how addictive and satisfying it can be. It’s the kind of dish that makes you smile with every bite, perfect for sharing with friends or savoring any day of the week. Once you taste that crispy crust paired with sweet and spicy honey, nothing else will quite compare.
Print
Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Crispy Hot Honey Chicken is a flavorful, crunchy baked chicken dish featuring a spicy-sweet hot honey drizzle. Perfectly seasoned and coated with cornflakes for extra crunch, this oven-baked chicken tender recipe is quick to prepare, making it an ideal weeknight dinner that pairs wonderfully with ranch or honey mustard for dipping.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 lbs. Chicken Tenders or Chicken Breasts
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
Dredging Mix
- 1/2 cup Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (optional)
Coating & Wash
- 2 large Eggs
- 5 cups Cornflakes, crushed
Additional
- Olive Oil (for drizzling or light brushing)
- Hot Honey (for drizzling over cooked chicken)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking crispy chicken tenders.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken tenders dry thoroughly using paper towels to help the coating stick better and become crispier.
- Set Up Dredging Stations: Prepare three shallow bowls – one with the seasoned flour mixture (flour, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper), one with beaten eggs, and one with crushed cornflakes.
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge each chicken tender first in the flour mixture, shaking off excess, then dip it into the egg wash, and finally coat it thoroughly with the crushed cornflakes, pressing lightly to adhere.
- Arrange and Bake: Place coated chicken tenders on a baking sheet. Lightly drizzle or brush with olive oil to enhance crispness. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking and browning.
- Drizzle with Hot Honey: Once the chicken tenders are golden and cooked through, remove from the oven and immediately drizzle generously with hot honey for a perfect spicy-sweet finish.
- Serve: Serve hot, ideally with ranch dressing or honey mustard on the side for dipping, making each bite delightfully flavorful.
Notes
- You can use chicken breasts cut into strips instead of tenders if preferred.
- For extra spice, increase cayenne pepper or add smoked paprika to the flour mixture.
- Lightly spraying or drizzling olive oil before baking helps achieve a better crisp without frying.
- Hot honey varies in heat level; adjust the amount to taste or substitute with a mix of honey and hot sauce.
- Leftover chicken can be reheated in the oven briefly to maintain crispiness.
