Perfect Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
Perfect Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken combines crispy oven-baked goodness with a sweet and spicy glaze for a healthier take on a trendy classic. Bold in flavor, crunchy in texture, and endlessly customizable, it’s a delicious and modern comfort food favorite.
Ingredients
- 6 cups cornflakes use gluten-free if preferred
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 2 pounds chicken breast tenderloins
- Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
For the Hot Honey:
- ½ cup honey
- 2 to 3 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1 to 3 teaspoons cayenne pepper adjust to desired heat level
- ¾ teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Sea salt to taste
- Fresh thyme cilantro, or parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a food processor, combine the cornflakes, grated Parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Pulse until the mixture forms fine crumbs. Alternatively, place the ingredients in a ziplock bag and crush them using your hands or by stepping on the bag. Transfer the crumb mixture to a shallow bowl.
- In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then stir in the hot sauce. Add the chicken tenderloins and toss until they are well coated.
- Dredge each piece of chicken in the cornflake crumb mixture, pressing to fully coat. Arrange the coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet. For an extra-crispy coating, dip the chicken back into the egg mixture and then dredge through the crumbs a second time. Place them on the baking sheet and drizzle lightly with extra virgin olive oil. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and crispy on all sides.
- While the chicken is baking, prepare the hot honey sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the honey, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, chipotle chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of sea salt. Warm over low heat, stirring until smooth and heated through.
- Once the chicken is done, drizzle the warm hot honey over the top. Garnish with fresh herbs like thyme, cilantro, or parsley. If the sauce thickens, simply reheat it in the microwave for about 5 seconds. Serve and enjoy!