If you’re searching for the ultimate balance between spicy and sweet, this Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is the answer. With a crunchy cornflake coating and a drizzle of rich hot honey glaze, each bite bursts with flavor and texture. The combination of the savory spiced crust and the sweet heat of the honey will leave everyone at the table reaching for seconds.
Best of all, this dish is baked—not fried—so you can enjoy a lighter, mess-free meal without sacrificing that crave-worthy crunch. Perfect for weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, or whenever you’re craving something comforting yet exciting, this hot honey chicken is a surefire hit. Serve it up with your favorite sides like coleslaw, roasted veggies, or a fresh garden salad for a complete meal that’s simply irresistible.
Full Recipe
Ingredients:
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4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
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1 cup buttermilk
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1 tablespoon hot sauce
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon paprika
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon onion powder
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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1/2 teaspoon black pepper
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2 cups crushed cornflakes
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1/2 cup honey
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2 tablespoons hot sauce
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Cooking spray
Directions:
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Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray.
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In a bowl, combine the buttermilk and 1 tablespoon hot sauce. Add the chicken thighs and marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight.
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In a shallow dish, mix the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
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In another dish, place the crushed cornflakes.
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Remove each piece of chicken from the buttermilk, dredge it in the flour mixture, then press it into the crushed cornflakes until fully coated.
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Place the coated chicken pieces onto the prepared baking sheet. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray.
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Bake for 25-30 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
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While the chicken is baking, combine the honey and 2 tablespoons hot sauce in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat until thin and pourable.
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Drizzle the hot honey over the baked chicken right before serving.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken: A Flavor-Packed Favorite
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is the perfect example of how a simple recipe can be elevated with just a few special touches. This dish offers the ideal balance between crispy, savory, spicy, and sweet flavors, creating an unforgettable experience for your taste buds. Inspired by Southern comfort food traditions but adapted for an easy and lighter oven-baked method, this recipe is gaining massive popularity among home cooks who crave bold flavors without the heaviness of deep frying.
The method focuses on marinating the chicken in a spicy buttermilk bath to tenderize and infuse flavor, then coating it in a combination of seasoned flour and crispy crushed cornflakes. Baking rather than frying reduces excess oil while still delivering an incredibly crunchy texture. The final touch—a luscious drizzle of homemade hot honey sauce—seals the deal, making each bite irresistibly sweet, spicy, and satisfying.
Why This Recipe Is a Must-Try
This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken stands out because it brings restaurant-quality results straight to your home kitchen. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the texture of fried chicken while keeping things a little healthier. The use of buttermilk not only flavors the chicken deeply but also ensures that it stays juicy during baking. Meanwhile, the cornflake coating crisps up beautifully in the oven, achieving that coveted crunch without the need for messy deep-frying.
The hot honey drizzle at the end ties everything together. Sweet honey pairs surprisingly well with the heat of the hot sauce, creating a sauce that’s both sticky and spicy without being overwhelming. Whether you’re hosting a casual dinner, prepping a family meal, or looking for a dish to impress your friends, this recipe is a guaranteed winner.
Origins and Popularity
The idea behind hot honey on chicken has roots in American Southern cuisine, where fried chicken reigns supreme. In recent years, hot honey itself has become a trendy condiment, thanks in part to its unique ability to add a flavorful punch to everything from pizza to vegetables. Combining hot honey with crispy, oven-baked chicken offers a modern twist on a classic comfort dish, making it more accessible for health-conscious home cooks without sacrificing any of the excitement or flavor.
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken appeals to a wide range of eaters because it’s customizable—you can dial the heat up or down based on your preference, and you can serve it with a variety of sides to suit any season.
Healthier Twist on Classic Fried Chicken
Traditional fried chicken, while undeniably delicious, can be heavy and greasy. Baking the chicken instead of frying cuts down on the fat and calories while still achieving that signature crispy texture, thanks to the clever use of crushed cornflakes. Cornflakes provide a light and airy coating that crisps up beautifully without soaking up too much oil. It’s a perfect trick for anyone who wants to indulge without feeling weighed down afterward.
Moreover, controlling the ingredients at home—such as using organic chicken, less sodium, and real honey—means you can make a cleaner, more wholesome version of a fast-food favorite.
Perfect Pairings for Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
This chicken is so flavorful that it pairs wonderfully with a wide variety of side dishes. Here are some ideas to complete your meal:
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Classic Coleslaw: The cool, creamy texture contrasts beautifully with the spicy chicken.
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Roasted Vegetables: A simple mix of carrots, potatoes, and Brussels sprouts works well.
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Cornbread Muffins: A slightly sweet side that complements the honey glaze perfectly.
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Mashed Potatoes: Comfort food heaven when paired with spicy chicken.
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Fresh Garden Salad: Light and refreshing, perfect for a balanced meal.
No matter what you serve alongside, this chicken will undoubtedly be the star of the plate.
Serving Tips and Storage
Serve the Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken hot from the oven for maximum crispiness and flavor impact. If you want to prepare it ahead of time, you can bake the chicken pieces and reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through to maintain the crunchy texture. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it may cause the coating to become soggy.
The hot honey sauce can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. Drizzle it generously over the chicken just before serving.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. To reheat, use an oven or air fryer to bring back the crispy coating.
Tips for Success
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Marinate Properly: Allowing the chicken to marinate in the buttermilk mixture for at least 30 minutes (preferably overnight) ensures juicy, flavorful meat.
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Crush Cornflakes Lightly: Aim for a mix of fine and chunky pieces for the best coating texture.
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Use Cooking Spray: Lightly spraying the chicken before baking helps achieve that beautiful golden crust.
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Don’t Overbake: Check the chicken toward the end of the baking time to avoid drying it out.
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Customize the Spice: Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the marinade and honey drizzle depending on your preferred heat level.
Variations You Can Try
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Different Cuts: Try this recipe with chicken tenders, drumsticks, or even wings.
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Spicy Level: Add crushed red pepper flakes to the hot honey for extra heat.
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Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and cornflakes for a gluten-free version.
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Sweeter Twist: Add a hint of brown sugar to the cornflake coating for a sweeter crunch.
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Garlic Lover’s Version: Mix a little garlic powder into the hot honey sauce for an extra savory depth.
Who Will Love This Recipe
If you love bold flavors and crispy textures, this dish is tailor-made for you. It’s great for:
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Families looking for a crowd-pleasing dinner
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Spicy food lovers seeking their next addiction
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Home cooks wanting an easy but impressive meal
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Anyone craving fried chicken without the deep fryer mess
Its versatility also makes it perfect for everything from Sunday dinners to game day snacks.
Conclusion
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is more than just a recipe—it’s an experience. The harmonious blend of crispy coating, tender chicken, and the sweet-spicy glaze creates a dish that’s deeply satisfying yet incredibly easy to prepare. By baking instead of frying, you maintain all the beloved texture and flavor of traditional fried chicken with a lighter, healthier touch.
Whether you’re serving it up at a family dinner, bringing it to a party, or just treating yourself to something delicious, this dish is sure to leave a lasting impression. The customizable spice level, irresistible crunch, and that dreamy drizzle of hot honey guarantee it will become a regular rotation in your kitchen. It’s a simple yet impressive way to elevate everyday chicken into a true showstopper.
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken proves that you don’t need a deep fryer or complicated techniques to create a meal that’s both comforting and exciting. Try it once, and it might just become your new favorite!