Name: Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 6 cups cornflakes (use gluten free, if needed); 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); 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; fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley (for serving)

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Hey there, fellow bakers and food lovers! I’m absolutely thrilled to share this incredible Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken recipe with you today. Picture this: perfectly crispy chicken tenders coated in crushed cornflakes, baked until golden brown, and drizzled with the most amazing sweet-and-spicy honey sauce. Every bite delivers that satisfying crunch you’re craving, followed by a burst of flavor that’ll make your taste buds dance!

You know those recipes that just make everyone at the dinner table happy? This is definitely one of them! I’ve been tweaking and perfecting this recipe for months now, and let me tell you – the double coating of cornflake crumbs makes all the difference. It reminds me of those cozy family dinners where everyone’s fighting over the last piece (just like my baked ham and cheese croissants that disappear in minutes!).

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Recipe

Let me count the ways! First, there’s that incredible texture contrast – ultra-crunchy exterior giving way to perfectly tender chicken inside. Then comes the sauce… oh, the sauce! It’s this magical combination of sweet honey with just the right kick of heat that keeps you coming back for more.

What really makes this recipe special is how adaptable it is. Want it spicier? Add more cayenne. Prefer it milder? Scale back on the hot sauce. It’s totally customizable to your taste preferences. Plus, it’s surprisingly simple to prepare – no complicated techniques or hard-to-find ingredients required. Just honest-to-goodness good food that brings everyone to the table with smiles on their faces.

The best part? While it feels like restaurant-quality food, you can make it right in your own kitchen without any fussy steps or complicated equipment. It’s the perfect solution for those busy weeknights when you want something special but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen.

Pro Baker’s Tip: Don’t skip the double-coating process! I know it takes a few extra minutes, but that second dip in the egg wash and cornflake mixture creates the most incredible crispy coating that stays crunchy even after you add the sauce.

Ingredients Overview & Success Tips

Key Ingredients You’ll Need

Let me walk you through the star players in this crunchy chicken recipe that make it absolutely irresistible:

• Chicken Tenders – I prefer using tenders over breasts since they cook more evenly and stay juicier. You can also cut chicken breasts into strips if that’s what you have on hand.

• Cornflakes – The secret to that amazing crunch! Just like in my extra-crispy fish recipe, the cornflakes create the perfect coating. I use Nature’s Path Organic for a gluten-free option, but regular cornflakes work great too.

• Parmesan Cheese – This might surprise you, but trust me! It melts into the coating creating crispy, salty bits that are absolutely heavenly.

• Honey – The base of our sauce. Look for raw, local honey if possible – it adds amazing flavor depth.

• Spice Blend – We’re using paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and chipotle chili powder. The chipotle adds a subtle smokiness that makes this hot honey chicken extra special.

Essential Success Tips

After countless test batches, here are my tried-and-true tips for perfect results:

• Double-Dredge Method: Dip chicken in egg mixture, then crumbs, then repeat! This creates an extra-thick, super crunchy coating.

• Cornflake Crushing: Pulse in your food processor until finely crushed but not powdered. You want some texture!

• Oil Drizzling: Don’t skip brushing olive oil on the chicken before baking – it helps achieve that gorgeous golden-brown color.

• Temperature Matters: Let chicken sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before coating. Cold chicken can make the coating fall off.

• Sauce Consistency: Heat honey mixture just until bubbling around edges. If it gets too hot, it’ll become too thin. You want it thick enough to cling to the chicken.

These techniques might seem particular, but they’re what make the difference between good and absolutely amazing crispy chicken!

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let me walk you through making this incredible hot honey chicken! Trust me, once you master these simple steps, you’ll be making this on repeat.

Preparing the Coating

• Start by crushing your cornflakes in a food processor until finely ground
• Mix in paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and parmesan cheese
• Beat eggs with a splash of hot sauce in a separate shallow dish

Dredging Process

1. Dip each chicken piece in the egg mixture
2. Coat thoroughly in the cornflake mixture
3. For extra crunch (my favorite way!), repeat both steps
4. Place on a lined baking sheet
5. Drizzle or brush with olive oil

Baking Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400°F
• Bake for 25 minutes until golden and crispy
• Internal temperature should reach 165°F

Hot Honey Sauce

While the chicken bakes, prepare the sauce:
1. Warm honey in a small saucepan
2. Add hot sauce, cayenne, and chipotle chili powder
3. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until well combined

Recipe Variations

Heat Level Adjustments

• Mild: Reduce cayenne and hot sauce by half
• Extra Spicy: Double the cayenne or add a dash of ghost pepper sauce
• Like my Brazilian coconut chicken, you can adjust the heat to your preference

Serving Suggestions

• Pair with sweet potato fries (my family’s favorite!)
• Serve over a crisp winter salad
• Try alongside pepper steak for a surf-and-turf combo

Storage and Reheating

• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days
• Reheat in air fryer at 350°F for 3-4 minutes
• For extra crispiness, try my technique from crispy butter chicken

Make-Ahead Tips

• Prepare cornflake coating up to 2 days ahead
• Make hot honey sauce in advance and reheat when needed
• Pre-cut chicken and store separately until ready to cook

Remember, this recipe is super forgiving – feel free to play around with the seasonings and make it your own!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use something besides cornflakes for the coating?

You bet! While cornflakes are my absolute favorite for that perfect crunch, I’ve tested this recipe with several alternatives. Panko breadcrumbs work great, or try crushed rice cereal for a gluten-free option. Just make sure whatever you choose is crushed finely enough to stick to the chicken.

How spicy is this chicken really?

The beauty of this recipe is that you’re in control! My family loves the heat level as written, but you can easily adjust. For milder taste, start with half the cayenne. Want it spicier? (Like my bang bang shrimp tacos!) Double the cayenne or add your favorite hot sauce to the honey mixture.

Can I make this ahead of time?

While this chicken is best served fresh and hot, you can prep components ahead! The cornflake coating can be made and stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The hot honey sauce keeps beautifully in the fridge for a week – just warm it gently before serving.

My coating isn’t getting crispy enough – help!

I’ve been there! The secret is really pressing that coating onto the chicken and making sure to drizzle enough olive oil before baking. Also, don’t skip the double-coating process – it makes such a difference! If your oven runs cool, try increasing the temperature by 25 degrees.

Sweet friends, I can’t stress enough how much joy this recipe brings to our dinner table! Here are my tried-and-true tips for success:

• Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before coating – it helps everything stick better

• Don’t throw away those cornflake crumbs at the bottom of the bowl – they’re perfect for sprinkling over the finished dish!

• If your honey starts to crystallize while making the sauce, just add a tiny splash of hot water and whisk

And remember, cooking should be fun! If something doesn’t turn out perfect the first time, that’s okay – I’ve had plenty of kitchen adventures that needed a few tries to get just right. Keep experimenting, and don’t forget to share your creations with me – I absolutely love seeing your versions of this recipe!

Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Recipe