A spicy-sweet, ultra-crispy chicken dinner baked to perfection!
🍗 Introduction
If you’re looking for a flavorful, crave-worthy chicken recipe that doesn’t require deep frying, this Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe delivers all the golden crunch and bold flavor without the greasy aftermath. Inspired by classic Southern hot chicken and comfort food favorites, this easy oven-baked version brings together juicy, tender chicken with a perfectly crunchy crust, all topped off with a fiery-sweet drizzle of homemade hot honey.
Whether you’re a fan of crispy chicken recipes dinners, new to experimenting with chicken with eggs recipes, or on the hunt for breaded chicken ideas, this dish is about to become your new favorite. Plus, it’s healthier, quick enough for a weeknight, and fancy enough for a weekend gathering.
🍯 What is Hot Honey Chicken?
Hot honey chicken is a beautiful marriage of two extremes—spicy heat and sweet honey—coming together to coat tender, breaded chicken. Traditionally, hot honey chicken is fried, but we’ve kept things lighter and more convenient by baking the chicken and using crushed cornflakes to achieve that irresistible crispy crust.
The result? A sticky, crunchy, finger-licking-good chicken dish that hits all the right notes. It’s perfect for fans of easy Half Baked Harvest recipes, honey crusted chicken, and anyone who loves bold flavor in every bite.
📝 Ingredients
Here’s everything you need to make this spicy baked chicken dream a reality.
🐔 For the Chicken:
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (thighs stay juicier when baked)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup buttermilk (or whole milk + 1 tsp vinegar/lemon juice)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup crushed cornflakes (adds unbeatable crunch!)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust depending on spice preference)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Olive oil spray or 2 tbsp melted butter
🍯 For the Hot Honey Glaze:
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tbsp hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot or Cholula)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional but recommended)
- Pinch of salt
🥣 Instructions: Step-by-Step
✅ Step 1: Prep the Oven
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set a wire rack on top. This allows hot air to circulate around the chicken so it crisps up evenly.
✅ Step 2: Make the Egg Mixture
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and buttermilk. Add a pinch of salt. This egg marinade not only tenderizes the chicken but helps the breading stick. Soak chicken for at least 15 minutes or up to 4 hours if meal prepping.
✅ Step 3: Crush the Cornflakes
Add cornflakes to a plastic bag and crush them into small flakes (not powder) using a rolling pin. This ensures the crust stays textured and crispy.
✅ Step 4: Create the Coating
In a separate shallow bowl, mix together:
- Flour
- Crushed cornflakes
- Paprika
- Garlic and onion powder
- Cayenne, salt, and pepper
This forms the flavorful base for our crunchy baked coating.
✅ Step 5: Dredge the Chicken
Remove chicken from the egg mixture and shake off any excess. Dredge in the coating mixture, pressing it in so the crust sticks well. Set coated chicken pieces on the wire rack.
✅ Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Spray the top of the chicken generously with olive oil spray or brush with melted butter for an extra golden finish. Bake for 22–26 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Chicken is done when:
- The internal temp is 165°F (74°C)
- The crust is crisp and golden
✅ Step 7: Make the Hot Honey
- Honey
- Hot sauce
- Vinegar
- Red pepper flakes
- Salt
Warm gently over low heat for 2–3 minutes until just slightly thickened. Be careful not to boil it—just heat until smooth.
✅ Step 8: Finish and Serve
Drizzle or brush the hot honey over the chicken as soon as it comes out of the oven. Serve extra hot honey on the side for dipping!
🧡 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Baked, not fried = less mess, less oil
- Crispy and juicy from cornflakes + egg marinade
- Sweet and spicy glaze is totally addictive
- Customizable heat level
- Kid-friendly with honey-only version
🍽️ Best Sides to Serve with Hot Honey Chicken
Turn this into a crispy chicken meal with one (or more!) of these delicious sides:
| Classic Comfort | Fresh and Light | Southern Inspired |
|---|---|---|
| Mashed potatoes | Cucumber salad | Buttermilk biscuits |
| Mac & cheese | Roasted green beans | Cornbread with honey butter |
| Baked sweet potato fries | Coleslaw with lime vinaigrette | Pickled okra |
| Garlic rice pilaf | Garden salad with ranch | Grits or cheesy polenta |
🧊 Storage + Reheating
To store:
Place cooled chicken in an airtight container and refrigerate up to 3 days.
To reheat:
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 8–10 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving—this makes the coating soggy.
To freeze:
Wrap individual pieces tightly and store up to 2 months. Bake from frozen at 400°F (204°C) for 20–25 minutes.
🔄 Variations and Customizations
- Gluten-free: Use GF flour and certified GF cornflakes
- Extra spicy: Add 1 tsp sriracha to the egg mix + more chili flakes to hot honey
- No buttermilk: Use plain yogurt thinned with milk
- Make it dairy-free: Skip the buttermilk and use plant milk + lemon juice
🧠 Pro Tips for Success
- Don’t skip the wire rack—it keeps the bottom crispy, not soggy.
- For even coating, press chicken into the crumb mixture firmly.
- If baking chicken breasts, slice them into cutlets for faster, more even cooking.
- Meal prep tip: Marinate chicken in the egg mix and freeze in zip bags. When ready to cook, thaw, bread, and bake.
🧾 Nutrition Information (Per Serving – based on 6 servings)
- Calories: 375
- Protein: 34g
- Fat: 11g
- Carbs: 35g
- Sugar: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sodium: 540mg
Nutrition may vary depending on ingredients used.
🌶️ Final Thoughts
There’s something undeniably satisfying about biting into crispy, juicy chicken—and this Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken recipe brings all that satisfaction without the oil. It’s a must-try if you love spicy chicken dinner recipes, Southern-inspired flavors, and golden crunch with a sweet finish.
Easy enough for beginners, versatile enough for pros, and guaranteed to earn a spot on your repeat dinner list.
