Why Make This Recipe
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is a delightful dish that brings together the best of flavors and textures. The combination of juicy chicken breasts, a crispy coating, and a sweet and spicy glaze makes it a favorite at the dinner table. Not only is it simple to prepare, but it also delivers a punch of flavor that is sure to impress your family and friends. This recipe is perfect for those nights when you crave something comforting but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. Plus, baking the chicken instead of frying it means you can enjoy this delicious meal with less guilt.
How to Make Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
Let’s get started on whipping up this tasty dish. The recipe is straightforward, and with the right preparation, you’ll have a beautiful plate of Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken ready in no time. Below are the ingredients you’ll need to gather along with step-by-step directions to help you along the way.
Ingredients:
- Chicken Breasts – 4 pieces
- Honey – 1 cup
- Hot Sauce – 1/4 cup
- Bread Crumbs – 1 cup
- Flour – 1 cup
- Eggs – 2 whole
- Salt – 1 tablespoon
- Pepper – 1 tablespoon
- Garlic Powder – 1 tablespoon
Directions:
Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures the chicken will cook evenly as soon as it goes in.
Prepare the Chicken: Rinse the chicken breasts under cool water and pat them dry with paper towels. This helps the coating stick better.
Set Up a Breading Station: Create a simple breading station to make the coating easy. You will need three shallow dishes: one for flour, one for beaten eggs, and one for breadcrumbs.
Season the Flour: In the flour dish, mix in the salt, pepper, and garlic powder to season the coating. Stir the mixture well so that the seasonings are evenly distributed.
Coat the Chicken: Take one chicken breast and coat it in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing any extra to drip off. Finally, roll it in the breadcrumbs until it’s fully coated. Set the coated chicken aside and repeat with the remaining pieces.
Place on Baking Sheet: Arrange the coated chicken breasts on a greased baking sheet. Make sure there is some space between each piece, which will help them bake evenly and get crispy.
Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes. Halfway through (15 minutes in), turn the chicken over to ensure both sides get crispy.
Prepare the Glaze: While the chicken is baking, mix the honey and hot sauce together in a small bowl. You can adjust the amount of hot sauce depending on how spicy you want the chicken to be.
Baste the Chicken: After 30 minutes of baking, remove the chicken from the oven and baste each piece with the honey-hot sauce glaze. Make sure to cover them evenly for maximum flavor.
Broil for Crispiness: Place the chicken back in the oven and turn on the broiler. Broil for about 5 minutes, watching closely to ensure the glaze doesn’t burn. This step will give the chicken a beautiful crispy finish.
Let Cool and Serve: Once the chicken is finished broiling, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. This will help the juices settle. Now your delicious Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is ready to be served!
How to Serve Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
You can serve Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken in several ways. Here are some popular serving suggestions:
With Sides: Pair the chicken with sides like mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal. A simple salad can also add freshness to your plate.
Sandwiches: Slice the chicken and use it in a sandwich or wrap. Add some lettuce, tomato, and your favorite sauce for an extra layer of flavor.
As an Appetizer: Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and serve it as an appetizer at your next gathering. Provide toothpicks and some extra hot honey sauce for dipping.
How to Store Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
Storing leftover Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is easy. Follow these steps to keep it fresh:
Cool Down: Allow the chicken to cool to room temperature before storing it to prevent moisture from building up in the container.
Use Airtight Containers: Place the chicken in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in aluminum foil. This will help keep it from drying out.
Refrigerate: Store the chicken in the refrigerator if you plan to eat it within three to four days.
Freezing: If you need to store the chicken for a longer period, you can freeze it. Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in a freezer-safe bag. Be sure to label the bag with the date.
Tips to Make Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
Use Chicken Thighs: Depending on your preference, you can use chicken thighs instead of breasts for a juicier result.
Mix Up the Coating: Feel free to add grated Parmesan cheese to the breadcrumbs for added flavor, or mix in different herbs and spices.
Adjust Spice Level: If you like it sweeter, add more honey to the glaze. For extra heat, you can use a spicier hot sauce or even add red pepper flakes to the breadcrumbs.
Baking Sheet Lining: Consider lining your baking sheet with parchment paper for easier cleanup.
Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure the chicken is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Variation
You can easily customize this recipe to fit your taste or dietary needs:
Oven-Baked BBQ Chicken: Instead of the honey-hot sauce glaze, brush the chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce before and after baking.
Honey Mustard Chicken: Swap out the hot sauce for Dijon mustard mixed with honey for a milder but equally delicious glaze.
Herbed Chicken: Add fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or parsley to the breadcrumb mixture for a fresh, aromatic lift.
FAQs
1. Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but make sure to thaw them completely before cooking. Cooking from frozen may require an increase in baking time.
2. How can I make the chicken extra crispy?
For extra crispiness, consider using panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs. They create a lighter and crunchier texture.
3. Can I reheat leftover chicken?
Yes, you can reheat the chicken in the oven at a low temperature or use a microwave. For best results and crispiness, reheat in the oven.
4. What should I serve with this dish?
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken pairs well with a variety of sides such as coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, or steamed vegetables.
5. Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! This chicken is great for meal prep. You can make a batch at the beginning of the week and enjoy it throughout.
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is not just a meal; it’s an experience! Try it today, and savor every crunchy, sweet, and spicy bite. Enjoy cooking!
Print
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Paleo
Description
A delightful dish with juicy chicken breasts, crispy coating, and a sweet-spicy glaze that’s simple to prepare and perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces Chicken Breasts
- 1 cup Honey
- 1/4 cup Hot Sauce
- 1 cup Bread Crumbs
- 1 cup Flour
- 2 whole Eggs
- 1 tablespoon Salt
- 1 tablespoon Pepper
- 1 tablespoon Garlic Powder
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Rinse the chicken breasts under cool water and pat dry.
- Create a breading station with three shallow dishes: one for flour, one for beaten eggs, and one for breadcrumbs.
- In the flour dish, mix salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Coat each chicken breast in the seasoned flour, then dip in eggs, and roll in breadcrumbs.
- Arrange coated chicken breasts on a greased baking sheet with space between each piece.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, turning halfway through.
- Mix honey and hot sauce in a bowl while the chicken bakes.
- Baste each piece of chicken with the honey-hot sauce glaze.
- Broil for about 5 minutes until crispy, watching closely.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
For added flavor, consider mixing in grated Parmesan cheese with breadcrumbs or using chicken thighs instead of breasts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: hot honey chicken, baked chicken, crispy chicken, easy dinner, comfort food
