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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and crisp coating retention.
- Pulse cornflakes, parmesan, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt in a food processor until achieving a fine, uniform texture for optimal coating adherence.
- Whisk eggs with hot sauce in a separate bowl, creating a spicy egg wash that will help the coating stick to the chicken.
- Thoroughly dredge each chicken piece in the cornflake mixture, ensuring complete coverage. For maximum crunchiness, repeat the egg wash and coating process.
- 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.
- During the final cooking minutes, combine sauce ingredients in a saucepan, gently warming to create a smooth, glossy consistency.
- 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