Description
This easy baked crunchy hot honey chicken delivers crispy, oven-baked chicken with a sweet and spicy honey drizzle—no frying required. It’s a quick, comforting dinner that’s family-friendly, meal-prep approved, and ready in under 40 minutes.
Ingredients
- 4 pieces chicken breasts or thighs (about 1.2 lbs / 550g), boneless and skinless
- 2 cups cornflakes, crushed
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Cooking spray or oil (for the pan)
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1–2 tablespoons hot sauce (such as sriracha or Frank’s Red Hot, to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and spray lightly with oil.
- Pour cornflakes into a large zip bag and crush with a rolling pin until coarse crumbs form.
- Set up three bowls: one with flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper mixed together; one with beaten eggs; and one with crushed cornflakes.
- Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Dredge each piece in flour (shake off excess), then in beaten egg, then in crushed cornflakes, pressing gently to adhere. Place on prepared baking sheet.
- Lightly spray coated chicken with cooking spray. Bake for 20–25 minutes for breasts or 25–30 minutes for thighs, flipping halfway through if desired. Chicken is done when golden, crisp, and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- While chicken bakes, melt butter in a small saucepan or microwave. Stir in honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes. Warm gently until just combined—do not boil. Taste and adjust heat as desired.
- As soon as chicken comes out of the oven, drizzle generously with hot honey or serve sauce on the side. Let sit for 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
For gluten-free, use gluten-free cornflakes and flour. For dairy-free, omit butter in hot honey or use a plant-based alternative. Pat chicken dry for best crunch. Broil for 1–2 minutes at the end for extra crispiness, but watch closely. Leftovers reheat best in the oven. Adjust hot honey heat to taste. Can be made with tofu for a vegetarian version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (about 1/4 o
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 8
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 30
Keywords: baked chicken, hot honey chicken, crunchy chicken, oven fried chicken, easy dinner, spicy honey chicken, family meal, meal prep, weeknight dinner, comfort food