Description

This Baked Hot Honey Chicken is the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and crispy—all without deep frying! A double-coating of seasoned cornflakes ensures an ultra-crunchy texture, while the oven-baked method keeps things light and healthy. Drizzled with a spicy hot honey glaze, this dish is an absolute flavor bomb. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special gathering, this recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

2 large chicken breasts, cut into strips (or use boneless thighs)
2 cups cornflakes, crushed
½ cup parmesan cheese, finely grated
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
2 eggs
2 tbsp milk (or buttermilk for extra tenderness)
2 tbsp olive oil (or cooking spray, for crisping)

For the Hot Honey Glaze:

¼ cup honey
1 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp apple cider vinegar (for balance)

Instructions

Step 1: Prep & Preheat

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Crush cornflakes in a ziplock bag or food processor until coarsely ground (not too fine). Transfer to a bowl and mix in parmesan, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.

Step 2: Bread the Chicken

In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and milk.
Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then press into the cornflake mixture, coating all sides.
For extra crunch, repeat the dipping process: egg → crumbs again.

Step 3: Bake to Perfection

Place the coated chicken on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Lightly spray or drizzle with olive oil for a crispier texture.
Bake for 25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy. Use a meat thermometer to check for 165°F (75°C) internal temperature.

Step 4: Make the Hot Honey Glaze

While the chicken bakes, heat honey, hot sauce, cayenne, garlic powder, melted butter, and apple cider vinegar in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until smooth and slightly thickened (2-3 minutes).

Step 5: Glaze & Serve

Remove the baked chicken from the oven and immediately brush or drizzle with the hot honey sauce.
Serve hot with extra sauce on the side and your favorite sides (see pairing suggestions below).

Notes

For extra crispiness: Use an air fryer at 375°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway.
Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free cornflakes or almond flour for breading.
Adjust spice level: Reduce or increase cayenne pepper and hot sauce to your liking.
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheating tip: Reheat in an oven at 375°F or an air fryer to maintain crispiness.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 portion (¼ of recipe)
Calories: ~380 kcal
Sugar: 15g
Sodium: 520mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 110mg

Keywords: baked chicken, hot honey, crispy chicken, oven-fried chicken, spicy honey glaze