Sizzling Hot Honey Chicken Recipe: Sweet & Spicy Magic

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this hot honey chicken recipe delivers pure excitement with its spicy-sweet magic.

Bold flavors dance across tender chicken pieces coated in a glaze that sparks culinary joy.

The combination of honey golden warmth and fiery spices creates an irresistible harmony on your plate.

Crispy edges and a glistening sauce promise a meal that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Restaurant-quality flavor emerges from simple ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques.

Each bite offers a perfect balance of heat and sweetness that transforms an ordinary chicken dish into an extraordinary dining experience.

You won’t be able to resist this mouthwatering creation that turns dinner into a celebration of taste.

Hot Honey Chicken Why It Packs a Punch

• Transforms boring chicken into a crispy, flavorful meal that kids and adults will absolutely love, making mealtime exciting and delicious.
• Requires simple coating steps with basic ingredients, allowing even beginner cooks to create restaurant-quality chicken with minimal kitchen skills.
• Perfect for casual gatherings, weeknight dinners, or game day snacks, offering a spicy-sweet twist that appeals to multiple taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Delivers crunchy texture through baking instead of deep-frying, reducing oil consumption while maintaining maximum flavor and satisfying crispy coating.

Ingredients for Hot Honey Chicken Dinner

• Chicken Breasts: Tender and lean protein that serves as the base of this crispy baked dish.

• All-Purpose Flour, Cornflakes, Eggs: Flour provides a base layer, cornflakes create a crunchy exterior, and eggs help the coating stick to the chicken.

• Honey, Butter, Hot Sauce, Salt Flakes: Honey and hot sauce create a sweet and spicy glaze, butter adds richness, and salt flakes enhance the overall flavor profile.

• Vegetable Oil, Seasonings: Oil helps crisp the cornflake coating, while seasonings add depth and complexity to the chicken's flavor.

Tools for Cooking Spicy Honey Chicken

• Baking Sheet: Essential for even cooking and crispy chicken coating.
• Mixing Bowls (3): Large enough to dredge chicken in flour, egg, and cornflake mixture.
• Sharp Knife: Perfect for slicing chicken breasts horizontally into thin steaks.
• Saucepan: Needed to create hot honey sauce by melting butter and combining ingredients.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Helps accurately measure flour, seasonings, and oil.
• Whisk or Fork: Great for mixing eggs and blending sauce ingredients smoothly.

Cooking Steps for Hot Honey Chicken

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to 200C/400F.

Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Take chicken breasts and slice them horizontally into 8 deliciously thin steaks.

Step 2: Create Crispy Layers

• Flour bowl with tasty seasonings
• Whisked eggs bowl
• Crushed cornflakes mixed with oil bowl

Step 3: Dunk And Dress Chicken

• First coat in seasoned flour
• Dive into whisked eggs
• Roll through crispy cornflake mixture

Gently place each coated piece onto the prepared baking sheet.

Step 4: Transform In The Oven

Slide the baking sheet into the hot oven.

Bake for 20-25 minutes until chicken turns golden brown and cooks completely through.

Step 5: Whip Up Spicy Honey Glaze

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine sauce ingredients.

Stir until butter melts and everything blends smoothly.

Step 6: Finish With Flair

Drizzle the hot honey sauce generously over the crispy chicken.

Sprinkle some flaky sea salt on top for an extra flavor punch.

Pro Tips for Crispy, Sticky Hot Honey Chicken

• Cut chicken breasts horizontally for even, thin pieces that cook quickly and remain juicy.
• Use crushed cornflakes mixed with oil for extra crispy coating that stays golden and crunchy after baking.
• Ensure chicken reaches 74°C/165°F internal temperature to guarantee safe and perfectly cooked meat.
• Adjust hot honey sauce sweetness and spice by adding more chili flakes or reducing honey for personalized flavor.
• Store leftover chicken in airtight container for up to 3 days, reheating in oven to maintain crispy texture.

Ways to Spice Up Hot Honey Chicken

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free cornstarch for coating. Use gluten-free cornflakes or crushed rice cereal for crunch.
• Spicy Caribbean Remix: Add jerk seasoning to flour mixture. Replace hot honey with mango-scotch bonnet sauce for a tropical heat profile.
• Keto-Friendly Option: Swap cornflakes with crushed pork rinds. Use erythritol-based honey substitute and almond flour for low-carb breading.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute butter in sauce with coconut oil. Use plant-based egg wash or buttermilk alternative for coating chicken.

Serving Suggestions for Hot Honey Chicken

• Cozy Family Dinner: Gather around the table and serve these crispy chicken pieces with soft mashed potatoes for a comforting meal that everyone will love.
• Picnic Perfect Platter: Pack these golden chicken strips in a lunch container with extra hot honey sauce on the side for a delightful outdoor meal that stays crunchy.
• Salad Topping Delight: Slice the hot honey chicken and place over a fresh green salad with cucumber and tomatoes to add protein and exciting flavor to your greens.
• Weekend Snack Hack: Cut chicken into smaller bite-sized pieces and serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing for a crowd-pleasing appetizer during game nights or movie marathons.

Storing Hot Honey Chicken

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Let chicken cool completely before sealing to prevent soggy texture.
• Wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap, place in freezer bag, and store for 2-3 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Warm chicken at 175C/350F for 10-15 minutes on baking sheet. Cover with foil to prevent drying out and maintain crispy coating.
• Warm in 30-second intervals, checking temperature. Place paper towel underneath to absorb moisture and keep chicken crisp.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients for the coating?

The coating uses flour seasoned with salt and pepper, beaten eggs, and crushed cornflakes mixed with oil to create a crispy, flavorful exterior for the chicken.

• How do I ensure the chicken stays juicy?

Slicing the chicken breasts horizontally into thin steaks helps prevent dryness and ensures even cooking, while the egg wash and cornflake coating helps lock in moisture.

• Can I make this recipe spicy?

Yes, you can adjust the heat by adding cayenne pepper to the flour mixture or using a spicier hot honey sauce to increase the spice level to your preference.

• What makes the cornflake coating different from regular breadcrumbs?

Cornflakes provide a crunchier texture and lighter coating compared to traditional breadcrumbs, giving the chicken a unique crispy exterior with more texture and flavor.

Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy-sweet hot honey chicken delivers a mouthwatering blend of crispy chicken and golden honey glaze. Southern comfort meets gourmet flair in this irresistible dish that will satisfy your cravings completely.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken:

• 4 chicken breasts (700 grams/1.5 pounds)

Coating Ingredients:

• 90 grams (3/4 cup) plain flour
• 2 eggs, whisked
• 150 grams (5 cups) cornflakes, crushed

Seasoning and Spices:

• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Sauce and Cooking Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons neutral oil
• 180 milliliters (1/2 cup) runny honey
• 3 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking setup by heating the oven to 200C/400F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Carefully slice chicken breasts horizontally to create 8 thin, even cutlets.
2. Create three separate coating stations: first bowl with seasoned flour mixture, second bowl with beaten eggs, third bowl with cornflakes crushed and mixed with oil.
3. Dredge each chicken piece systematically through flour coating, ensuring complete coverage, then dip into egg wash, and finally roll thoroughly in cornflake mixture until fully breaded.
4. Arrange coated chicken pieces on prepared baking sheet, ensuring they do not touch each other, and bake for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 74C/165F and exterior turns crispy golden brown.
5. While chicken bakes, prepare hot honey sauce by combining all sauce ingredients in a small saucepan, heating over medium temperature and stirring until butter completely melts and ingredients integrate smoothly.
6. Remove chicken from oven, plate immediately, and generously drizzle with freshly prepared hot honey sauce. Optional: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top for enhanced flavor and texture.

Notes

• Slice chicken evenly to ensure consistent cooking and crispiness across all pieces.
• Use panko breadcrumbs instead of cornflakes for extra crunch if preferred.
• Gluten-free option: substitute regular flour with almond or rice flour, and use gluten-free cornflakes.
• Spice level can be adjusted by adding cayenne pepper to flour mixture or using mild honey for less heat.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 577
• Sugar: 22g
• Sodium: 689mg
• Fat: 28g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 54g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 32g
• Cholesterol: 160mg