Name: Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: PT-488783H28M41S
Total time: PT-488783H28M41S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp smoked paprika; ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for spice level); Salt and pepper, to taste; 2 large eggs; 1 cup panko breadcrumbs; ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional); Olive oil spray (for baking); ¼ cup honey; 2 tbsp hot sauce (adjust for heat preference); 1 tbsp unsalted butter; 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (for tanginess); Pinch of salt

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If you’re craving that irresistible combination of sweet, spicy, and crispy, look no further than Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken. This oven-baked sensation brings together juicy chicken, a perfectly crunchy coating, and a sticky, fiery hot honey glaze that will have your taste buds dancing. What makes this dish a family favorite is its bold flavors and a satisfying crunch—without any deep frying! Whether you’re cooking for a fun weeknight dinner or wowing guests at your next gathering, Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken always delivers on taste, texture, and crowd-pleasing appeal.

Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredient list for Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is refreshingly simple—but each item serves a purpose, bringing out big flavor or superb crunch. Here’s what you’ll need, along with why it matters!

Chicken (4 boneless, skinless breasts or thighs): Choose your favorite cut—breasts for larger pieces, thighs for extra juiciness and flavor.
All-purpose flour (1 cup): Gets the breading started and helps everything stick; you can swap for gluten-free flour if desired.
Garlic powder (1 tsp): Adds savory depth and classic comfort to the seasoning mix.
Onion powder (1 tsp): Rounds out the flavor profile with a subtle, sweet sharpness.
Smoked paprika (1 tsp): Delivers beautiful color and a touch of smokiness—don’t skip this if you want a pop of flavor!
Cayenne pepper (½ tsp, adjust for spice): Packs the heat; use more or less to suit your fire level.
Salt and pepper (to taste): These pantry staples dial up all the other flavors in the breading.
Eggs (2 large): Bind the breading and help panko cling firmly to the chicken.
Panko breadcrumbs (1 cup): Key for that extra-light, shatteringly crisp crunch—regular breadcrumbs just can’t compete.
Grated Parmesan cheese (½ cup, optional): For a salty, nutty twist in the crust; optional, but highly recommended!
Olive oil spray (for baking): Encourages browning and keeps everything nice and crispy in the oven.
Honey (¼ cup): The star of the glaze—rich and sticky, it pairs perfectly with spicy heat.
Hot sauce (2 tbsp, adjust for heat): Use your favorite brand; this brings the fire!
Unsalted butter (1 tbsp): Adds lusciousness and helps meld the glaze together.
Apple cider vinegar (1 tbsp): A splash of tang that brightens up the honey and hot sauce.
Pinch of salt (for the sauce): Balances all the big, bold flavors in the glaze.

How to Make Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheet

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C)—you want it good and hot for maximum crunch. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or give it a quick spritz of olive oil spray, so the chicken won’t stick and will come out perfectly golden.

Step 2: Mix Up the Seasoned Flour

In a shallow dish, stir together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. This mix should look vibrant and aromatic—every bit of chicken will get a boost from these seasonings.

Step 3: Set Up Your Dredging Station

Crack two eggs into a second shallow dish and whip them until smooth. In a third dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese (if using). Arranging your dredging station in assembly-line fashion makes it easy to keep things tidy and efficient.

Step 4: Bread the Chicken

Take each piece of chicken and coat it in the seasoned flour first, then dip it in the beaten eggs, and finally press it into the panko mixture. Press firmly so the crumbs stick. For an ultra-crunchy crust, double dip: after the first breadcrumb coat, repeat the egg and breadcrumb step once more.

Step 5: Bake to Crispy Perfection

Lined up and ready to go! Place the breaded chicken pieces on your prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each. Lightly spray the tops with olive oil spray—this step helps mimic the golden finish of fried chicken. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the coating is deeply crisp and the chicken is cooked through (165°F/74°C inside).

Step 6: Make the Hot Honey Sauce

While the chicken bakes, combine honey, hot sauce, butter, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Whisk and simmer gently for 1 to 2 minutes, just enough for it to become smooth, glossy, and fragrant. Taste and tweak the spice or sweetness as you like—the hot honey glaze is what makes Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken an absolute flavor bomb!

Step 7: Finish and Serve

When the chicken is sizzling and crisp, take it out of the oven. You can either drizzle the hot honey sauce over the top or, for full coverage, gently toss the chicken pieces in a large bowl with the sauce. Serve hot and watch the plate get cleared in record time!

How to Serve Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

Garnishes

A few fresh garnishes can take your Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken from delicious to dazzling. Scatter chopped parsley, chives, or thinly sliced green onions over the top to add freshness and pop. A light sprinkle of extra Parmesan or a few red pepper flakes offers a little extra punch and color, making each bite even more irresistible.

Side Dishes

This dish shines alongside both classic and creative sides. Go traditional with creamy mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or a warm biscuit to mop up any extra honey sauce. For something lighter, try a crisp green salad, roasted veggies, or tangy pickles to balance the heat and sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is the ultimate party appetizer when cut into strips or bite-sized nuggets and skewered with toothpicks. Stack the chicken over fluffy waffles for a playful brunch twist, or tuck it into toasted buns with pickles and lettuce for a fiery chicken sandwich. However you serve it, everyone will be asking for seconds!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store cooled Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. The coating will stay tasty for up to 3 days, though it’s best enjoyed as soon as possible for prime crunch.

Freezing

To freeze, place the completely cooled chicken (without sauce) on a sheet until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. Leftover hot honey sauce can be cooled and frozen separately. Thawed chicken may lose a bit of crunch but will still be delicious when reheated.

Reheating

For best results, reheat the chicken in a 350°F oven on a wire rack or baking sheet until heated through and the coating is re-crisped—about 10 minutes. Avoid microwaving for long periods, as this tends to make the crust soggy. Warm the sauce separately and drizzle over just before serving for maximum flavor.

FAQs

Can I make Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken gluten-free?

Absolutely! Just substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour and gluten-free panko to keep that irresistible crunch without the gluten. The recipe is just as tasty and easy to follow.

How spicy is the hot honey sauce?

The heat level is totally customizable. The recipe’s balance is medium, but you can add more or less hot sauce (or cayenne) to dial it up or down depending on your crowd’s spice preferences. Kids love it with a milder sauce!

What’s the best way to get extra crunch?

Double dipping is the secret! After the first coat of egg and panko, dip the chicken back in the egg, then into the breadcrumbs again. Also, be sure to use panko instead of regular breadcrumbs for that signature shattering crunch in Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken.

Can I use chicken tenders instead of breasts or thighs?

Definitely! Chicken tenders cook quickly and are naturally portioned for dipping and sharing. Just shorten the bake time by a few minutes and check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F for safety.

Is the Parmesan cheese necessary?

It’s optional, but it adds an irresistible salty depth to the crust. If you want to keep things dairy free or just prefer the classic flavor, leave it out and the recipe still gives you amazing results.

Final Thoughts

For a meal that’s bold, finger-licking, and so much fun to make, you simply can’t beat Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken. Your kitchen will smell amazing, and your friends and family will keep asking for more—give it a try and see if it doesn’t become your new go-to recipe for any night of the week!