Description
This Crispy Hot Honey Chicken recipe features tender chicken coated in a crunchy cornflake crust, baked to perfection, and finished with a sweet and spicy hot honey drizzle. It’s a quick and easy dish perfect for a flavorful weeknight meal that combines crispy texture with a kick of heat and sweetness.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 lbs. Chicken Tenders or Chicken Breasts
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Pepper
Dredging Mixture
- 1/2 cup Flour
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (optional)
Coating
- 2 large Eggs
- 5 cups Cornflakes, crushed
Other
- Olive Oil, for drizzling or spraying
- Hot Honey, for drizzling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it reaches the ideal temperature for baking the chicken to a crispy golden finish.
- Prepare the chicken tenders: Pat the chicken tenders dry thoroughly using paper towels; this helps the coating adhere better and promotes crispiness during baking.
- Set up dredging stations: Arrange three shallow bowls: one with the flour mixed with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and optionally cayenne pepper; one with beaten eggs; and one with crushed cornflakes for the final coating.
- Coat the chicken: Dredge each piece of chicken first in the seasoned flour mixture, then dip it into the egg wash, and finally coat it evenly with the crushed cornflakes, pressing gently to adhere.
- Prepare for baking: Place the coated chicken tenders on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a wire rack. Lightly drizzle or spray olive oil over each piece to help achieve a golden crisp texture.
- Bake: Bake the chicken at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning on both sides.
- Drizzle hot honey: Remove the baked chicken tenders from the oven and immediately drizzle generously with hot honey to add a sweet and spicy glaze.
- Serve: Serve your crispy hot honey chicken with your choice of dipping sauces like ranch dressing or honey mustard for an extra layer of flavor and enjoyment.
Notes
- You can use either chicken tenders or chicken breasts cut into strips depending on your preference.
- For extra heat, increase the cayenne pepper or drizzle additional hot honey.
- Using a wire rack on the baking sheet helps keep the chicken crispy all around.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in the oven to maintain crispiness rather than using a microwave.
