Baked Hot Honey Chicken
Baked Hot Honey Chicken is an easy recipe for crispy crunchy baked chicken brushed with a finger-licking hot honey sauce!
In an attempt to cut down on our kids chicken nugget consumption, I've made it a goal to cook chicken they actually like. While they love ground beef, steak, shrimp, and even fish like salmon and grouper, chicken has been hard for them to love. Enter: faux-fried chicken!
It turns out, the key is to cut or pound the chicken into really thin pieces, bread it, and bake it to crispy perfection. Since I love a good sauce, this time I added hot honey. The result is sweet and spicy crunchy chicken that all 3 of the kids gave two thumbs up!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy - this chicken is super easy to whip up and you'll be amazed at how good it is.
- Crunchy Chicken - who doesn't like crunchy chicken?! Especially when you don't have to deep fry it.
- Kids Love It - my kids absolutely loved this chicken! We eat it as a main dish, in rice bowls, on salads, and in wraps.
Ingredients
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts - these are cut in half to make them super thin and extra crunchy to chicken ratio.
Egg - to help the breadcrumbs stick.
Panko Breadcrumbs - Panko makes the hot honey chicken crunchy.
Spices - onion powder and garlic powder for flavoring in the breading.
Honey - the base for the sweet hot honey glaze.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil - this thins out the honey glaze a bit .
Hot Sauce - I like to use Frank's but you can use whatever kind you like!
Red Pepper Flakes - for even more of a kick.
Refer to the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and quantities.
Variations
Less Spicy - if you don't want the chicken spicy at all, you can omit the sauce sauce and/or pepper flakes for just a crunchy honey baked chicken.
Extra Spicy - if you want even more spice, you can add extra hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or some cayenne pepper.
Regular Breadcrumbs - you can definitely use regular if you don't have or can't find Panko.
Different Cut of Chicken - you can use chicken tenderloins or chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts.
Step by Step Instructions
Photo 1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs.
Photo 2. Slice each chicken breast in half so they are thin and then cut each piece into 2-3 smaller pieces. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture.
Photo 3. In another medium bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, spices, salt, and pepper.
Photo 4. Dip each piece of chicken that has been coated in the egg mixture into the breadcrumbs.
Photo 5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the breaded chicken onto the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil.
Photo 6. Bake at 425 degrees for 20-24 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Photo 7. Add the honey, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and hot sauce to a small saucepan over medium heat until it is warmed through.
Photo 8. Brush the hot honey over the crispy baked chicken. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
Storage - store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Reheat - to reheat, I like to put the chicken in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 5-6 minutes. You could also reheat in the microwave but it probably won't be quite as crispy.
Serving Suggestions - We love this as a main dish with some roasted broccoli and potatoes. Other ideas are on top of rice, as a sandwich or wrap, or diced on top of a salad. It would be delicious dipped in my Greek Yogurt Ranch or Cottage Cheese Ranch!
Air Fryer Method - Follow the instructions and then cook in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer, as the chicken will not get as crispy.
Recipe FAQs
Hot honey is a honey mixture that has a little bit of spice in it from hot sauce and/or red pepper flakes.
The key in this recipe is the egg dip and the crispy panko breading that will get the chicken super crispy.
Yes. Follow the instructions and then cook in the air fryer at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer, as the chicken will not get as crispy.
Other Chicken Recipes to Consider
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating on this recipe below and leave a comment, or take a photo and tag me on Instagram with #greensnchocolate.
Baked Hot Honey Chicken
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 large eggs
- 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- olive oil for drizzling
Hot Honey
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon hot sauce
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Slice the chicken breasts in half so they are thin and then cut each half into 2-3 smaller pieces.
- Add the eggs to a shallow bowl and whisk.
- Add the breadcrumbs, garlic, onion, salt, and pepper to another shallow bowl and mix to combine.
- Dip each piece of chicken in the egg wash and then into the breadcrumbs.
- Place the chicken on the prepared baking sheet and then drizzle or brush with some olive oil to help get it extra crispy.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-24 minutes, flipping halfway. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the the internal temperature of reaches 165 degrees F.
- While the chicken is baking, make the hot honey.
- Add the honey, olive oil, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes, to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until warmed through. Remove from heat.
- Once the chicken is baked, drizzle or brush the hot honey over the crispy chicken.
- Serve and enjoy!
