If you crave a perfect blend of sweet heat and irresistibly crispy texture, this Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe is about to become your new go-to comfort dish. Juicy, tender chicken thighs soak up a tangy buttermilk and hot sauce marinade, then get coated in a crunchy, seasoned breadcrumb crust that bakes to golden perfection. Finished with a luscious hot honey glaze that dances on your taste buds with just the right kick, this dish delivers a beautiful balance of flavors and textures that will leave you grinning with every bite. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll want to make it again and again!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe may look fancy, but it’s actually built on simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that work together to create magic. Each item plays a crucial role, from tenderizing the chicken to building layers of flavor and delivering that signature crunch and heat.
- 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs, skin on: The perfect cut to stay juicy while crisping beautifully in the oven.
- 1 cup buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps tenderize the meat for a juicy finish.
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (for marinade): Infuses gentle heat straight into the chicken before cooking.
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: Creates the base for the crunchy coating.
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs: These flakes add extra crispness and light texture to the crust.
- 1 teaspoon paprika: Contributes a smoky warmth and vibrant red color.
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper: Provides an extra spicy kick that complements the sweet glaze.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder: A must for deep savory flavor.
- 1 teaspoon onion powder: Enhances the overall seasoning complexity.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Essential for balancing and enhancing all other flavors.
- 1/2 cup honey: The star ingredient in the glaze that brings sweetness and shine.
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce (for glaze): Adds that signature heat to the honey glaze.
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted: Smooths out the glaze and adds richness.
- Cooking spray or oil for greasing: Helps the chicken crisp up perfectly without sticking.
How to Make Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Sheet
First things first, preheat your oven to a sizzling 425°F (220°C). Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray. This step ensures your chicken bakes to perfection without sticking and achieves that gorgeous golden crust.
Step 2: Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, mix the buttermilk with 1 tablespoon of hot sauce. Submerge the chicken thighs completely in this marinade to tenderize and infuse subtle heat. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour—overnight if time allows—to maximize the flavor development. This patience pays off with incredibly juicy and well-seasoned chicken.
Step 3: Mix the Coating
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, panko breadcrumbs, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. This aromatic, crunchy coating is what transforms each piece into a crispy delight packed with a punch of flavor.
Step 4: Coat the Chicken
Drain excess buttermilk from the chicken and dredge each piece in the flour and breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to ensure every nook and cranny is covered with that perfectly seasoned crust. This step is key for that iconic crunch in the baked chicken.
Step 5: Get Ready to Bake
Arrange the coated chicken pieces on your prepared baking sheet. Give each piece a light spray of cooking oil on top to encourage crispiness as they bake—a little trick that makes all the difference!
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Pop the tray into the hot oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the coating turns a beautiful golden brown. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temp hits 165°F (74°C) for safety and juiciness.
Step 7: Prepare the Hot Honey Glaze
While the chicken is baking, combine the honey, 2 tablespoons of hot sauce, and melted butter in a small saucepan. Warm it gently over low heat, stirring until smooth and well combined. This sticky glaze is the sweet and spicy crown that finishes the dish perfectly.
Step 8: Glaze and Rest
Once your chicken is out of the oven, let it rest for about five minutes to lock in juices. Drizzle the hot honey glaze over the top just before serving or keep it on the side for dipping. Every bite coated in this glaze turns heavenly!
How to Serve Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or thinly sliced green onions adds a fresh, vibrant contrast to the rich, spicy chicken. A light dusting of sesame seeds can add a subtle nutty crunch and make your plating look irresistible.
Side Dishes
This chicken pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a crisp side salad to balance the richness. For a Southern-inspired feast, serve alongside buttery cornbread and collard greens to complete the meal beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe over a bed of steamed jasmine rice or tucked into soft slider buns with a slather of ranch dressing and pickles for a fun twist. Offering the hot honey glaze as a dipping sauce allows everyone to customize their heat level and keeps things interactive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover chicken pieces in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping the glaze separate will help maintain the crispiness of the crust when reheated.
Freezing
You can freeze the baked chicken pieces before glazing. Wrap them tightly in foil or place them in freezer bags. Freeze for up to 2 months, and thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating and glazing.
Reheating
For best results, reheat the chicken in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to restore crispiness. Avoid microwaving, which can make the crust soggy. Add fresh hot honey glaze after reheating for that extra burst of flavor.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts can be used in this Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe, but they tend to be leaner and might not stay as juicy. Be sure not to overcook to avoid dryness.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Swap the all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs to keep the coating crispy and delicious without gluten.
How spicy is this recipe?
This recipe strikes a nice balance—the cayenne and hot sauce provide a moderate heat that’s complemented by the sweetness of honey. You can adjust the hot sauce amount in the marinade and glaze to make it milder or spicier.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time for a party?
Definitely! Marinate the chicken up to 24 hours before baking and prepare the coating in advance. You can bake it shortly before serving and add the hot honey glaze fresh for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or main.
What’s the best way to achieve a crunchy texture without frying?
Baking the chicken at a high temperature and using panko breadcrumbs along with a light spray of cooking oil helps achieve an irresistibly crunchy crust without the mess or extra fat of frying.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a dish that combines soul-soothing crunch, a lively punch of heat, and sweet honeyed goodness, the Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe has got you covered. It’s straightforward enough for a weeknight dinner, yet show-stopping enough for guests. Give this recipe a try—you might just find your next favorite comfort food!
Print
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken recipe offers a perfect balance of crispy texture and sweet heat, featuring marinated boneless chicken thighs coated in a flavorful spice and breadcrumb mixture, baked to golden perfection, and finished with a luscious hot honey glaze. It’s an easy-to-make dish that delivers a deliciously spicy and sweet flavor combination, ideal for a satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
Marinade
- 2 lbs boneless chicken thighs, skin on
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
Dredge Mixture
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Hot Honey Glaze
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
Other
- Cooking spray or oil for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it with cooking spray to ensure the chicken won’t stick.
- Marinate Chicken: In a large bowl, mix the buttermilk and 1 tablespoon of hot sauce together. Submerge the chicken thighs in this marinade, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to overnight to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Prepare Dredge Mixture: Combine the all-purpose flour, panko breadcrumbs, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in another bowl, mixing until well blended for an even, flavorful coating.
- Coat Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, letting the excess drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour and breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the coating adheres evenly.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Lay the coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray to promote crispiness during baking.
- Bake Chicken: Place the chicken in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Make Hot Honey Glaze: While the chicken bakes, combine honey, 2 tablespoons hot sauce, and melted butter in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring frequently until the glaze is smooth and well combined.
- Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Drizzle the hot honey glaze over the chicken just before serving or offer it on the side as a dipping sauce for an extra kick.
Notes
- For best flavor and tenderness, marinate the chicken overnight.
- Use skin-on chicken thighs for extra crispness; remove the skin if you prefer leaner meat.
- You can adjust the amount of hot sauce in both the marinade and glaze to suit your preferred spice level.
- To make it gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives.
- Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
