Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken – Sweet, Spicy, and Irresistibly Crispy!
If you’re craving something crispy, spicy, and just a little bit sweet, this Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is your new go-to recipe! 🍯🔥🍗
Imagine perfectly tender chicken coated in a crunchy cornflake crust, baked (not fried!) to golden perfection, and finished with a drizzle of fiery hot honey glaze. It’s everything you want in a comfort food dish — crunchy, sweet, spicy, and satisfying.
This recipe is oven-baked, making it a healthier alternative to traditional fried chicken, but you won’t miss a thing when it comes to flavor or texture. Whether you’re making dinner for the family, meal-prepping for the week, or hosting game night, this chicken always delivers.
If you love spicy-sweet recipes, you’ll also enjoy this Hot Honey Chicken Wings or these crispy Baked Chicken Tenders.
Let’s get into it!
Ingredients
- Meat:
- 2 lbs chicken breast tenderloins
- Refrigerated:
- 2 large eggs
- Breakfast Foods:
- 6 cups cornflakes crushed (for ultra-crunchy coating)
- Dairy:
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- Produce & Herbs:
- 3/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 fresh thyme sprig leaves removed
- Condiments:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 4 tablespoons hot sauce
- Baking & Spices:
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Sea salt to taste
- Oils & Vinegars:
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
- Optional Garnishes:
- Fresh thyme
- Extra drizzle of hot honey
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with olive oil spray.
Step 2: Prepare the Crunchy Coating
- Place the cornflakes in a large zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin or pulse in a food processor until coarsely crushed (not fine crumbs!).
- Transfer to a shallow bowl and mix in:
- Parmesan cheese
- Chipotle chili powder
- Paprika
- Cayenne pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Thyme leaves
- Sea salt, to taste
Step 3: Set Up the Dredging Station
- In one shallow bowl, whisk the eggs.
- In another shallow bowl, place your seasoned cornflake mixture.
Step 4: Coat the Chicken
- Dip each chicken tenderloin into the egg, letting the excess drip off.
- Press into the cornflake mixture, ensuring each piece is fully coated.
- Place the coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet.
- Lightly drizzle or spray with olive oil for extra crispiness.
Step 5: Bake
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the coating is golden and crispy, and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F / 74°C).
Step 6: Make the Hot Honey Glaze
- While the chicken bakes, in a small saucepan over low heat, combine:
- Honey
- Hot sauce
- Stir and warm until combined and slightly runny.
Step 7: Finish and Serve
- Drizzle the warm hot honey glaze over the baked chicken just before serving.
- Garnish with fresh thyme and optional lemon wedges.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the perfect balance of spicy, sweet, and crunchy!
Notes
Variations
Want to customize your Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken? Try these tasty twists: 1. Maple Heat
Swap honey for maple syrup for a deep, caramelized sweetness. 2. No Heat Version
Skip the hot sauce and cayenne for a kid-friendly, sweet-only option. 3. Air Fryer Method
Cook at 400°F (200°C) in the air fryer for 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway through. 4. Spicy Ranch Dip
Serve with a side of ranch dressing mixed with extra hot sauce for dipping. 5. Extra Crispy
Double-coat the chicken: dip in egg and cornflake mixture twice before baking. 6. Gluten-Free
Use gluten-free cornflakes to make this recipe gluten-free! Storage and Reheating
Storage:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freezing:
Freeze cooked chicken tenders for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15–18 minutes. Reheating:
Reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes. For extra crispiness, use an air fryer at 375°F for 5–6 minutes. Pro Tip: Drizzle with fresh hot honey before serving for the best flavor! 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of tenderloins?
Absolutely! Just adjust cooking time by a few minutes longer for larger pieces. 2. Can I make this less spicy?
Yes! Reduce or omit the cayenne pepper and use a milder hot sauce. 3. What’s the best substitute for cornflakes?
Panko breadcrumbs work well, but cornflakes give unbeatable crunch. 4. Can I prep this ahead of time?
Yes — coat the chicken and refrigerate for up to 8 hours before baking. 5. Can I make this dairy-free?
Skip the Parmesan or use a dairy-free cheese alternative. 6. What hot sauce works best?
Use your favorite! Frank’s RedHot, Cholula, or Tabasco are great options. 7. Can I make this sweeter?
Add an extra tablespoon of honey to the glaze for more sweetness. 8. How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?
Use a thermometer — chicken is done at 165°F (74°C) internally. 9. Can I bake this on a wire rack?
Yes! It helps air circulate for an even crispier result. 10. Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes — just reduce or omit the spice for a milder version! Conclusion
This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken hits all the right notes — sweet, spicy, crunchy, and irresistibly good! 🍗🍯🔥 The cornflake coating brings the crunch, while the hot honey drizzle balances heat and sweetness in every single bite. And because it’s baked, not fried, you get all the flavor with less oil and hassle. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, fun weekend gatherings, or make-ahead lunches, this recipe is bound to become a family favorite. For more spicy-sweet recipes, check out these Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs or this Hot Honey Salmon. Now grab your honey, crank up the heat, and bake this crispy masterpiece! 🎉
Want to customize your Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken? Try these tasty twists: 1. Maple Heat
Swap honey for maple syrup for a deep, caramelized sweetness. 2. No Heat Version
Skip the hot sauce and cayenne for a kid-friendly, sweet-only option. 3. Air Fryer Method
Cook at 400°F (200°C) in the air fryer for 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway through. 4. Spicy Ranch Dip
Serve with a side of ranch dressing mixed with extra hot sauce for dipping. 5. Extra Crispy
Double-coat the chicken: dip in egg and cornflake mixture twice before baking. 6. Gluten-Free
Use gluten-free cornflakes to make this recipe gluten-free! Storage and Reheating
Storage:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freezing:
Freeze cooked chicken tenders for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15–18 minutes. Reheating:
Reheat in the oven at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes. For extra crispiness, use an air fryer at 375°F for 5–6 minutes. Pro Tip: Drizzle with fresh hot honey before serving for the best flavor! 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use chicken thighs instead of tenderloins?
Absolutely! Just adjust cooking time by a few minutes longer for larger pieces. 2. Can I make this less spicy?
Yes! Reduce or omit the cayenne pepper and use a milder hot sauce. 3. What’s the best substitute for cornflakes?
Panko breadcrumbs work well, but cornflakes give unbeatable crunch. 4. Can I prep this ahead of time?
Yes — coat the chicken and refrigerate for up to 8 hours before baking. 5. Can I make this dairy-free?
Skip the Parmesan or use a dairy-free cheese alternative. 6. What hot sauce works best?
Use your favorite! Frank’s RedHot, Cholula, or Tabasco are great options. 7. Can I make this sweeter?
Add an extra tablespoon of honey to the glaze for more sweetness. 8. How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?
Use a thermometer — chicken is done at 165°F (74°C) internally. 9. Can I bake this on a wire rack?
Yes! It helps air circulate for an even crispier result. 10. Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes — just reduce or omit the spice for a milder version! Conclusion
This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken hits all the right notes — sweet, spicy, crunchy, and irresistibly good! 🍗🍯🔥 The cornflake coating brings the crunch, while the hot honey drizzle balances heat and sweetness in every single bite. And because it’s baked, not fried, you get all the flavor with less oil and hassle. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, fun weekend gatherings, or make-ahead lunches, this recipe is bound to become a family favorite. For more spicy-sweet recipes, check out these Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs or this Hot Honey Salmon. Now grab your honey, crank up the heat, and bake this crispy masterpiece! 🎉