The Best Hot Honey Chicken Recipe for Sizzling Flavor

Spice up your dinner routine with a mouthwatering hot honey chicken recipe that delivers a perfect balance of sweet and heat.

The hot honey glaze infuses each crispy bite with an irresistible flavor profile that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Golden-brown chicken pieces caramelize beautifully under a sticky, spicy-sweet coating that promises restaurant-quality results at home.

Simple ingredients combine to create a dish that’s both elegant and crowd-pleasing.

Weeknight meals just got a serious upgrade with this flavor-packed chicken that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum taste.

Prepare to transform your kitchen into a culinary destination that’ll have taste buds dancing with excitement.

FAQs

• Why use cornflakes for coating?

Cornflakes create an incredibly crispy, crunchy exterior that’s lighter and more textured than traditional breadcrumbs, giving the chicken a satisfying crunch with every bite.

• Can I make this recipe spicy?

The hot sauce in the egg wash and sauce provides heat, but you can adjust spice levels by using more or less hot sauce, or choosing a milder or hotter variety to suit your taste preferences.

• Is double coating necessary?

Double coating is optional but recommended for extra crunchiness. It creates a thicker, more robust coating that becomes super crisp when baked, enhancing the overall texture of the chicken.

Crispy Sweet Heat Chicken: What Makes It Addictive

• Boost Crunch Factor: Double-coating technique creates an irresistibly crispy exterior that crunches with every bite, making this chicken a textural delight.
• Simplify Cooking Process: One-pan baking method eliminates complicated steps, allowing even novice cooks to prepare a restaurant-quality dish with minimal effort.
• Spice Up Family Meals: Hot sauce and cornflake coating add exciting flavor layers that transform ordinary chicken into a mouthwatering meal everyone will love.
• Quick Weeknight Winner: Minimal prep and straightforward ingredients mean you can have a delicious dinner on the table without spending hours in the kitchen.

Ingredients for Crispy Sweet Heat Chicken

• Chicken: Lean protein that serves as the main star of this crispy dish.

• Cornflakes, Parmesan Cheese: Provides a crunchy and flavorful exterior for the chicken.
• Paprika, Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Salt: Adds depth and seasoning to the coating.

• Eggs, Hot Sauce: Creates a spicy binding layer for the coating.
• Cooking Oil: Helps achieve golden and crispy chicken surface.

• Sauce Ingredients (not specified in instructions): Provides a complementary flavor to the crispy chicken.

• Fresh Herbs: Adds a fresh and aromatic garnish to the dish.

Making Crispy Sweet Heat Chicken at Home

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a sizzling 425°F.

Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup and perfect crispiness.

Step 2: Create Crunchy Coating

• Cornflakes
• Parmesan cheese
• Paprika
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Salt

Pulse until the mixture becomes a fine, crumbly texture.

Transfer to a wide bowl for coating.

Step 3: Whip Up Spicy Egg Wash

In a separate bowl, blend eggs with hot sauce.

This creates a zesty base that’ll make your chicken sing with flavor.

Step 4: Dress the Chicken

Dunk each chicken piece into the egg wash, then roll generously in the cornflake mixture.

Want extra crunch?

Do a double-dip by returning the coated chicken to the egg wash and then back into the crumb mixture.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Arrange the coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet.

Drizzle with a touch of oil to help achieve that gorgeous golden color.

Slide into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the coating turns beautifully crisp and the chicken is cooked through.

Step 6: Craft the Sauce

As the chicken nears completion, combine all sauce ingredients in a pot.

Warm gently, stirring occasionally to blend the flavors.

Step 7: Final Flourish

Pull the chicken from the oven and drizzle with the warm sauce.

Sprinkle with fresh herbs for a pop of color and fresh flavor.

Pro Chicken Tips: Crispy Sweet Heat Edition

• Crush cornflakes extra fine for an ultra-crispy coating that sticks perfectly to chicken.
• Adjust hot sauce quantity in egg wash to personalize heat intensity for different taste preferences.
• Repeat egg and cornflake coating for an extra thick, crunchy exterior that seals in moisture.
• Prepare sauce while chicken bakes to ensure it's warm and ready when chicken comes out of oven.
• Sprinkle fresh chopped herbs right before serving to add bright, vibrant flavor and aromatic touch.

Fun Variations for Crispy Sweet Heat Chicken

• Gluten-Free Crunch: Replace cornflakes with crushed gluten-free rice cereal or almond flour for a celiac-friendly version.
• Keto Crispy Chicken: Swap cornflakes with crushed pork rinds and use low-carb hot sauce to create a ketogenic-friendly coating.
• Spicy Herb Remix: Add dried herbs like thyme or rosemary to the cornflake coating for an aromatic flavor boost.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute parmesan with nutritional yeast and use egg-free mayo instead of eggs for an allergen-friendly recipe.

Serving Suggestions for Sweet Heat Chicken

• Flavor Fusion Platter: Serve chicken over fluffy rice or creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the spicy-sweet sauce, creating a complete meal with rich textures.
• Crowd-Pleasing Appetizer: Cut chicken into smaller bite-sized pieces for game day parties, providing easy-to-grab finger food that packs serious flavor punch.
• Fresh Herb Topping: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro, green onions, or parsley for bright color and added zesty freshness that complements the crispy chicken's heat.
• Cooling Side Companion: Pair with a quick cucumber salad or creamy coleslaw to balance the dish's spiciness and provide a refreshing contrast to the crunchy chicken.

How to Store Crispy Sweet Heat Chicken

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep crispy coating intact by placing paper towels between layers to absorb excess moisture.
• Wrap individual chicken pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bag. Chicken maintains best quality for 2-3 months when frozen.
• Restore crispiness by warming chicken in preheated oven at 375F for 10-12 minutes. Avoid microwave to prevent soggy texture.
• Allow chicken to reach room temperature before storing to prevent condensation and potential bacterial growth inside container.

Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

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4.7 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy-sweet hot honey chicken elevates comfort food with a mouthwatering blend of crispy, golden chicken and zesty honey glaze. Drizzled with fiery goodness, this Southern-inspired dish promises a flavor explosion that will delight you from first bite to last.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken Ingredients:

• 2 pounds chicken breast tenderloins
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce

Crispy Coating:

• 6 cups cornflakes
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Olive oil for drizzling

Glaze and Seasoning:

• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 1/2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• Sea salt to taste
• Fresh herbs (thyme, cilantro, or parsley) for serving

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and crisp coating retention.
2. Pulse cornflakes, parmesan, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt in a food processor until achieving a fine, uniform texture for optimal coating adherence.
3. Whisk eggs with hot sauce in a separate bowl, creating a spicy egg wash that will help the coating stick to the chicken.
4. Thoroughly dredge each chicken piece in the cornflake mixture, ensuring complete coverage. For maximum crunchiness, repeat the egg wash and coating process.
5. Arrange coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet, lightly drizzling with oil to enhance golden browning. Bake for 20-25 minutes until exterior is crisp and chicken is fully cooked.
6. During the final cooking minutes, combine sauce ingredients in a saucepan, gently warming to create a smooth, glossy consistency.
7. Remove chicken from oven and immediately drizzle with the warm sauce, garnishing with fresh herbs for a vibrant finish and additional flavor complexity.

Notes

• Customize Crunch Experiment with different cereal types like Rice Krispies or crushed pretzels for unique texture variations.
• Spice Control Adjust hot sauce quantity to personalize heat level, making it milder for kids or more intense for spice lovers.
• Gluten-Free Option Replace cornflakes with gluten-free cereal or crushed gluten-free crackers to accommodate dietary restrictions.
• Protein Flexibility Swap chicken with tofu, cauliflower, or fish for alternative protein sources while maintaining the crispy coating technique.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 600
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 45 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg