Savor the irresistible taste of Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken, featuring boneless chicken breasts, a crunchy cornflake coating, and a sweet-spicy sauce. Perfectly baked for a satisfying crunch!
Each time I whip up this Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken, it takes me right back to my college days when my roommates and I would experiment in our tiny kitchen trying to recreate our favorite takeout recipes. One chilly autumn evening, armed with nothing but our thriftiness and a craving for something comforting yet zingy, we decided to bake instead of fry, tossing together whatever we could find in our pantry. The result? A dish so delightfully tasty and satisfying, it became our go-to for nearly every study session and movie night. Now, whenever I make this recipe, it's like a warm hug from the past, filled with laughter and the sweet scent of honey and spices.
Why You'll Love This Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken
Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken isn't just another chicken recipe; it's a revelation! Here's why this dish stands out:
- Healthier Option: Baked, not fried, this chicken offers a crunch without the guilt of deep frying.
- Flavor Explosion: The hot honey sauce blends sweet, spicy, and tangy notes, creating a multi-dimensional flavor profile that excites the palate.
- Texture Perfection: The cornflake breading ensures each bite is satisfyingly crunchy.
- Versatility: Perfect for a family dinner, a game day snack, or even a fancy party appetizer.
Ingredients Notes
To make the most out of the Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken, let’s talk about the ingredients:
- Chicken: Opt for larger breasts to ensure enough surface area for breading.
- Cornflakes: The secret to an exceptional crunch; finer crumbs adhere better and create more texture.
- Hot Honey Sauce: A balance of sweetness and heat makes this sauce. Adjust the amount of hot sauce based on your heat preference.
- Eggs and Flour: These elements help the breading stick better. Make sure the eggs are well whisked for an even coating.
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How To Make This Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken
Let's dive into making your Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken with these detailed, easy-to-follow steps:
- Prep Work: Start by getting your setup ready. Crush the cornflakes to the right texture—fine with some slightly larger bits for extra crunch. Set up three stations with the flour mixture, whisked eggs, and crushed cornflakes. Prepare the chicken by slicing and tenderizing it to ensure it cooks evenly and soaks up all the flavors.
- Breading the Chicken: Season the chicken well with salt and pepper for a flavor base. Dredge in flour, dip in egg, letting excess drip off, and then thoroughly coat in the cornflakes. For spots that seem bare, double dip in egg and cornflakes for that perfect crust.
- Baking and Sauce: Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F until golden and crispy. Meanwhile, simmer the honey, hot sauce, and spices to marry the flavors. Once baked, drizzle the hot honey sauce over the chicken, ensuring every piece is deliciously coated.
Storage Options
Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken is best enjoyed fresh, but if you must save some for later, keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to maintain its crunchiness. Freezing is not recommended as it softens the breading.
Variations and Substitutions
Love to tweak recipes to suit your taste or pantry stock? Here are some creative ways to customize your Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken:
- Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend and gluten-free cornflakes for the breading.
- Different Proteins: Try this recipe with boneless pork chops or turkey breasts for a twist.
- Vegan Version: Use firm tofu slices and vegan butter, and make sure your hot sauce is vegan-friendly.
- Milder Version: Reduce the hot sauce in the honey mixture and increase the honey or add a bit of maple syrup for a sweeter, less spicy glaze.
Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 3 large boneless and skinless chicken breasts approximately 1.5 pounds
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Nonstick cooking spray
For the Flour Mixture:
- ½ cup of flour use a generous measure
- 3 tablespoons light brown sugar firmly packed
For the Egg Mixture:
- 3 large eggs thoroughly whisked
- 2 teaspoons of hot sauce
For the Breading Mixture:
- 5 cups of cornflakes crushed
- 1 ½ teaspoons of paprika
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ½ teaspoon of chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
- ½ cup of honey
- ¼ cup of hot sauce e.g., Frank’s Red Hot
- 3 tablespoons of butter
- 1 tablespoon of light brown sugar firmly packed
- 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon of onion powder
- ½ teaspoon of mustard powder
Instructions
Preparatory Work:
- Utilize a food processor, a rolling pin, or manual force to crush the cornflakes into small, uneven pieces.
- Assemble the flour mixture, egg mixture, and breading mixture into three separate shallow bowls.
- Halve each chicken breast lengthwise to create two thinner slices and tenderize the smooth side with a meat mallet to a thickness of half an inch. Optionally, cut the tenderized chicken into smaller strips or pieces.
- Preheat the oven to 425° Fahrenheit.
Breading Process:
- Ensure the chicken is completely dry, then season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Dredge each piece first in the flour mixture, ensuring a generous coat.
- Dip next into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off to prevent a soggy breading.
- Coat thoroughly in the crushed cornflake mixture, pressing the crumbs onto the chicken to adhere well. If necessary, repeat the dipping in the egg and then the cornflakes for areas that appear under-coated.
- Arrange the breaded chicken on a lightly greased, light-colored baking sheet.
- Lightly spray the breaded chicken with nonstick cooking spray.
Baking and Sauce Preparation:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-16 minutes or until the coating is golden and crisp.
- Concurrently, combine the ingredients for the hot honey sauce in a small saucepan over low heat. Once the butter has melted, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and keep warm until ready to serve.
- Once baked, remove the chicken from the oven and generously drizzle with the prepared hot honey sauce. Optionally, reserve additional sauce for dipping.
