Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

Looking for a winning dinner that delivers crispy, juicy chicken with a mouthwatering sweet-heat glaze? Hot Honey Chicken is exactly what you need on a busy weeknight! This dish comes together quickly, packs in huge flavor, and nails that delightfully crispy texture without deep-frying. Each bite of oven-baked or air-fried chicken, coated in crunchy cornflakes and slathered with sticky hot honey sauce, is seriously irresistible. It’s easy enough for a fast dinner, impressive enough for company, and honestly so much better than takeout—plus you’ll love how simple and stress-free it is to make!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s get ready for crispy, sticky, spicy-sweet chicken! Here’s what goes into each part of this recipe, plus a few tips to make prep a breeze:

• Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless, and sliced thin for even cooking; tenderize for extra juiciness.
• Salt & Pepper: To season the chicken before breading; don’t skimp!
• Nonstick Cooking Spray: For that golden, crunchy finish in the oven or air fryer.
• Flour: Lightly coats the chicken to help the breading stick.
  • Tip: Use a generous amount for best results.
• Brown Sugar: In the flour and sauce for mild sweetness and gorgeous color.
  • Tip: Light brown sugar provides a subtle caramel flavor.
• Eggs: Whisked as a glue to help the breading stick.
  • Tip: Add a splash of hot sauce here for a deep, even flavor throughout.
• Hot Sauce: Gives both the breading and the hot honey glaze their signature kick.
  • Personal favorite: Frank’s RedHot for the perfect balance of heat and tang.
• Cornflakes: The MVP for extra crunch and texture—crush them up but leave some small chunks for max crisp factor!
• Paprika, Chili Powder, Cayenne, Pepper: Bring the warmth and layered spice to the breading.
  • Adjust cayenne for more or less heat. Remember, the sauce will layer on more spice!
• Honey: The main event in the glaze—use good quality for best flavor.
• Butter: Rich, velvety base for the sauce that helps it cling to the chicken.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: A touch of acidity to balance the sweet and spicy.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Mustard Powder: Adds depth and savory notes to the hot honey sauce.

Note: If you want extra crunch, use oven-safe cooling racks for baking or double-coat the chicken.

Variations

Ready to make this Hot Honey Chicken your own? Here are a few twists:

• Heat Level: Add extra cayenne or swap in a spicier hot sauce for more fire; dial back with more honey for milder palates.
• Protein Swap: Try chicken tenders, thighs, or boneless wings for a change, or even use shrimp for a fun seafood spin.
• Gluten-Free: Use a gluten-free flour blend and certified gluten-free cornflakes—no one will guess!
• No Cornflakes?: Use panko breadcrumbs, crushed crackers, or even crispy rice cereal for a similar crunch.
• Herby Twist: Toss some dried herbs into the breading—thyme, oregano, or parsley work beautifully.

How to Make Hot Honey Chicken

This is a straightforward, step-by-step process—perfect for anyone (yes, even kitchen beginners). Here’s how it goes:

Step 1: Prep Your Coatings

Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls—one with the flour and brown sugar mixture, one with whisked eggs and hot sauce, and another with crushed cornflakes and spices.

Step 2: Prep the Chicken

Slice your chicken breasts in half lengthwise, then give them a quick pounding with a meat mallet. Aim for a uniform ½-inch thickness so everything cooks at the same speed. You can cut the chicken into strips or nuggets if you want finger food.

Step 3: Bread the Chicken

Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper.

• Dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mix (this helps everything stick).
• Dip in the egg mixture, then let any excess drip off—this keeps the coating crisp.
• Press into the cornflake breading so every inch is covered. If coverage is spotty, quickly re-dip in egg and coat again.

Step 4: Bake (or Fry, or Air Fry!)

• For oven-baking: Place breaded chicken on a lightly greased, light-colored baking sheet (or on racks for extra crunch). Mist generously with cooking spray.
• Bake at 425°F for about 15–16 minutes, until golden and cooked through.
• For air frying: Preheat to 375°F. Lay the chicken pieces in the basket (don’t overlap!) and spray well. Air fry for 10–15 minutes, flipping halfway and spraying again, until crisp and the center is 165°F.
• For deep-frying: Fry at 350–375°F for about 4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.

Step 5: Make the Hot Honey Sauce

As the chicken bakes, combine honey, hot sauce, melted butter, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and spices in a saucepan over low heat. Once the butter is melted, bring to a low boil, then simmer until you’re ready to serve.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!

Remove the chicken from the oven and immediately drizzle liberally with hot honey sauce. Reserve extra on the side for serious dipping action.

How to Serve

Hot Honey Chicken is incredibly versatile—you can pair it with almost anything! Here’s how to serve it up:

• With Sides: Perfect over fluffy rice (try cooking it in chicken broth for extra richness!), buttery noodles, creamy mashed potatoes, or simple roasted veggies.
• As a Sandwich: Pile onto soft buns or sliders with slaw for a spicy-sweet chicken sandwich that’ll rival any fast-food joint.
• Weeknight Bowl: Top a fresh salad or grain bowl with sliced hot honey chicken and a generous drizzle of leftover sauce.
• For Entertaining: Serve as bite-sized strips or nuggets with sauce on the side for game night or parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover chicken (sauce and all) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The breading stays crisp surprisingly well!

Freezing

Freeze fully cooked, cooled chicken in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best texture.

Reheating

To keep that crunch, reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven or air fryer for about 10 minutes, just until warmed through. Microwaving works, but the coating won’t be as crisp.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Hot Honey Chicken is the unbeatable answer to your weeknight dinner prayers: crispy, juicy, and glazed in that sticky-sweet, fiery sauce that keeps you coming back for more. With easy prep, minimal cleanup, and plenty of room to riff, there’s every reason to give it a try—so go ahead, make it tonight, and watch it become a fast family favorite!

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