Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken – Sweet, Spicy, and Extra Crispy!
This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and crispy – all without deep frying! The golden-baked, crunchy coating pairs beautifully with a hot honey glaze, making this an easy yet flavor-packed meal. Whether you’re meal prepping, serving it for dinner, or making a fun weekend treat, this dish is guaranteed to be a hit.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 2 large chicken breasts (or 4 boneless thighs)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for spice preference)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce (such as Sriracha or buffalo sauce)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Baking Setup
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a wire rack over a baking sheet and lightly grease it.
- Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour and seasonings (paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper), one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs.
- Coat the Chicken
- Dip each piece of chicken into the flour mixture, then the beaten eggs, and finally coat with panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
- Place the coated chicken pieces on the prepared wire rack.
- Bake Until Crispy
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
- Prepare Hot Honey Sauce
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Stir in honey and hot sauce, heating for 2 minutes until smooth.
- Glaze & Serve
- Drizzle or brush the hot honey sauce over the baked chicken. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
- Use a wire rack to ensure even crispiness while baking.
- Double-coat in egg and breadcrumbs for extra crunch.
- Adjust spice level by increasing or decreasing cayenne and hot sauce.
- Air fryer option: Cook at 375°F for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 120mg