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🍗🔥🍯✨ Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken – Crispy, Spicy & Sweet Oven-Baked Perfection!

If you’ve been craving fried chicken but want something lighter, easier, and just as satisfying, this Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is your new obsession. 💛 Perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, this oven-baked chicken delivers all the crunch without the deep fryer. But what takes it to the next level is the sticky-sweet-spicy hot honey glaze — golden honey kissed with chili heat and buttered to perfection. 🍯🔥 It’s comfort food that’s indulgent yet wholesome. Serve it with mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or a crisp salad for a restaurant-worthy meal that’ll make your taste buds dance. Whether for weeknight dinners or weekend cravings, this hot honey chicken is the perfect mix of crispy, spicy, and sweet! 🍗✨
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Prep Time 13 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings: 2 Servings
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes
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Ingredients
  

For the Chicken:
  • 2 lbs chicken tenders or boneless thighs 🍗
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp hot sauce optional, for marinating heat
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup crushed cornflakes for extra crunch
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • Olive oil spray or drizzle
For the Hot Honey Glaze:
  • ⅓ cup honey 🍯
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 1 –2 tsp hot sauce adjust to your spice level
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes optional for extra heat
  • Pinch of salt
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Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Wire rack (for best crispiness)
  • Mixing bowls
  • Tongs or fork
  • Small saucepan (for the glaze)
  • Parchment paper

Method
 

Marinate the Chicken
  1. In a large bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce.
  2. Add chicken pieces, toss to coat, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours for maximum tenderness).
Prepare the Crispy Coating
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top.
  3. In a shallow dish, mix panko, crushed cornflakes, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper.
Coat the Chicken
  1. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off.
  2. Coat each piece thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to help it stick.
  3. Arrange on the prepared rack and lightly spray with olive oil for extra crunch.
Bake to Crispy Perfection
  1. Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Make the Hot Honey Glaze
  1. In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat.
  2. Stir in honey, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt.
  3. Warm for 2–3 minutes, stirring until silky and slightly thickened.
Coat & Serve
  1. Brush or drizzle the hot honey glaze over freshly baked chicken.
  2. Garnish with fresh herbs or extra red pepper flakes if desired.
  3. Serve immediately and enjoy that sweet-spicy crunch! 🍯🔥🍗

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken for up to 1 month (without glaze).
Reheating: Reheat in the oven or air fryer at 375°F for 5–7 minutes to restore crispiness. Add hot honey after reheating.
🥄 Variations
Air Fryer Method: Air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Extra crispy and faster! 🔥
Extra Spicy: Add more cayenne or hot sauce to the glaze for a serious kick. 🌶️
Sweet & Smoky: Add a pinch of smoked paprika to the glaze for a BBQ-like twist. 🍗
Crispy Chicken Sandwich: Serve inside a toasted brioche bun with coleslaw for a next-level spicy chicken sandwich. 🥪
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and crushed rice cereal instead of cornflakes. 🌾
❓ 10 FAQs
Can I use bone-in chicken?
Yes! Increase baking time to about 40 minutes, depending on size.
What’s the secret to getting it crunchy in the oven?
Use a wire rack and spray with oil — this lets heat circulate and crisp all sides.
Can I make it ahead?
Coat the chicken and refrigerate up to 12 hours before baking.
Can I use regular breadcrumbs?
You can, but panko and cornflakes create the best crunch.
Is the hot honey spicy?
It’s more sweet with a mild heat — adjust with more hot sauce or flakes.
Can I substitute maple syrup for honey?
Yes, for a maple-hot glaze variation! 🍁
Can I make it dairy-free?
Use a dairy-free milk mixed with 1 Tbsp lemon juice instead of buttermilk.
Can I double the recipe?
Absolutely — just bake in two batches for even crisping.
What sides go best with it?
Mashed potatoes, cornbread, coleslaw, or a crisp green salad. 🥗
Can I skip the glaze?
Sure! It’s delicious plain too — think of it as crispy oven “fried” chicken.
🏁 Conclusion
This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is proof that oven-baked can be just as crispy — and even more flavorful — than fried. 🍗🔥🍯✨
It’s crunchy, juicy, and perfectly balanced between sweet and spicy, making it a hit with everyone at the table. From family dinners to meal prep, this recipe is a total keeper — easy to make, lighter on the oil, and absolutely irresistible.
Once you try that sticky hot honey glaze dripping over crunchy golden chicken, you’ll never look at fried chicken the same way again. 💛