Description
Crispy, crunchy, and bursting with flavor, this Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is a delightful twist on classic fried chicken. Tender chicken breast tenderloins are coated in a savory cornflake crust and baked to golden perfection, then drizzled with a sweet and spicy hot honey glaze. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken Coating:
- 6 cups cornflakes (gluten-free optional)
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 2 pounds chicken breast tenderloins
- Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
Hot Honey:
- 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
Garnish:
- Fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Make the Cornflake Crumbs: In a food processor, combine the cornflakes, parmesan, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Pulse until you have fine crumbs. Alternatively, crush the crumbs in a zip-lock bag. Dump the crumbs into a shallow bowl.
- Coat the Chicken: Beat the eggs in a bowl, add the hot sauce and chicken, and toss well to coat. Dredge the chicken through the crumbs, covering fully. Place on the prepared baking sheet. For a thicker coating, dip the chicken back through the eggs, then through the crumbs a second time. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until crisp all around.
- Make the Hot Honey Sauce: Just before the chicken is done cooking, make the sauce. In a saucepan, warm together the honey, hot sauce, cayenne, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder, plus a pinch of salt.
- Assemble and Serve: Drizzle the warm sauce over the chicken. Top with herbs. If the sauce thickens, warm for 5 seconds in the microwave. Enjoy!
Notes
- For extra crispy chicken, ensure the chicken is patted dry before coating.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce and cayenne pepper to your preferred spice level.
- For a deeper flavor, you can marinate the chicken in the egg and hot sauce mixture for up to 30 minutes before coating it in the cornflake crumbs.
- Serve with your favorite sides, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450kcal
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
