Description
This Hot Honey Crunch Chicken recipe features crispy baked chicken tenderloins coated in a flavorful cornflake and parmesan crust, then drizzled with a warm, spicy honey sauce. Perfectly balanced with a sweet and spicy kick, it’s a delicious and easy meal that serves six and satisfies cravings for crunch and heat.
Ingredients
For the Coating
- 6 cups cornflakes (gluten-free if needed)
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
For the Chicken
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tbsp hot sauce
- 2 lb chicken breast tenderloins
- Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
For the Hot Honey Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2-3 tbsp hot sauce
- 1-3 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to preferred heat)
- 3/4 tsp chipotle chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Sea salt, to taste
To Garnish
- Fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare the Coating Mixture: In a food processor, pulse together the cornflakes, parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt until the mixture resembles fine crumbs. This will create a flavorful and crunchy crust for the chicken.
- Coat the Chicken: Beat the eggs with 2 tablespoons of hot sauce. Dip each chicken tenderloin into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated, then dredge it in the cornflake crumb mixture. Place the coated chicken pieces evenly on the prepared baking sheet and drizzle lightly with extra virgin olive oil to help them crisp in the oven.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden and crispy.
- Make the Hot Honey Sauce: While the chicken bakes, combine the honey, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, chipotle chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and sea salt in a small saucepot. Warm the sauce gently over low heat until well combined and heated through, stirring occasionally.
- Finish and Serve: Once the chicken is baked, drizzle the warm hot honey sauce evenly over the chicken tenderloins. Garnish with fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley for a burst of freshness and flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy your delicious hot honey crunch chicken!
Notes
- Adjust cayenne pepper and hot sauce quantities according to your preferred spice level.
- Using gluten-free cornflakes makes this recipe gluten-free friendly.
- Make sure to drizzle olive oil on the chicken before baking for extra crispiness.
- Fresh herbs add a nice touch but can be omitted if unavailable.
- This recipe can be doubled to serve a larger crowd.
