Description
This Classic Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken recipe features crispy oven-baked chicken coated in panko and drizzled with spicy-sweet hot honey. Perfect for dinner, this healthier twist on fried chicken is juicy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make with pantry staples. Great for meal prep and perfect with your favorite sides.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
1. Marinate chicken in buttermilk (with optional hot sauce) for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Set up breading station with 3 bowls: flour mixture with cornstarch and seasonings, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs.
4. Remove chicken from buttermilk, dredge in flour mixture, dip in egg, then coat with panko. Place on baking sheet.
5. Lightly spray with oil and bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and cooked through.
6. In a saucepan, warm honey, red pepper flakes, and apple cider vinegar over low heat to make hot honey.
7. Drizzle hot honey over baked chicken and serve immediately.
Notes
Use chicken thighs for juicier results.
Don’t skip the cornstarch—it helps achieve the perfect crunch.
Drizzle hot honey only before serving to keep the coating crispy.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 145mg