Irresistibly Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

Crispy, golden chicken drizzled with hot honey creates a mouthwatering sensation that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Unexpected flavor combinations spark culinary excitement in every kitchen.

Sweet and spicy notes blend perfectly for an irresistible meal.

Weeknight dinners demand something extraordinary, and this recipe delivers knockout flavor.

crunchy exterior meets molten honey glaze, promising a sensational dining experience.

Simple ingredients transform ordinary chicken into an extraordinary feast.

You’ll want to savor every single bite of this delectable dish.

Pairings For Baked Hot Honey Chicken

• Spice Up Your Dinner Party: Serve this hot honey chicken as a showstopping appetizer with toothpicks for easy grabbing during social gatherings.
• Comfort Food Feast: Pair the crispy chicken with creamy mashed potatoes and a fresh green salad for a complete, satisfying meal that hits all the right flavor notes.
• Game Day Crowd-Pleaser: Slice the chicken into strips and arrange on a platter with extra hot honey sauce for dipping, perfect for casual sports watching or weekend gatherings.
• Southern-Style Sandwich Twist: Slice the baked chicken and place between soft brioche buns with coleslaw for a delicious sandwich that brings southern comfort to your plate.

Storing Baked Hot Honey Chicken The Right Way

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain its crispy texture and flavor.
• Wrap individual pieces separately in aluminum foil or plastic wrap to prevent moisture and preserve crunchiness.
• Avoid leaving the chicken at room temperature for more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth.

FAQs

• How do I get the chicken extra crispy?

Use a wire rack on the baking sheet to allow air circulation, which helps create a crunchier exterior. Lightly spraying the chicken with cooking oil before baking also helps achieve that golden, crisp coating.

• Can I use a different type of milk for marinating?

Buttermilk is best because its acidity helps tenderize the chicken and creates a tangy flavor. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to regular milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.

• What if I want less heat in the hot honey glaze?

Reduce the amount of hot sauce or use a milder variety. You can also replace some of the hot sauce with additional honey to create a sweeter, less spicy glaze.

How To Make Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

• Transform Boring Meals: Elevate your regular chicken dinner with a spicy-sweet twist that guarantees zero mealtime boredom.
• Master Restaurant-Quality Cooking: Achieve crispy, golden chicken with professional-level techniques right in your home kitchen without complex skills.
• Quick Family Crowd-Pleaser: Prepare a delicious meal that satisfies everyone from kids to adults with its crunchy texture and balanced flavor profile.
• Customize Heat Levels: Easily adjust spiciness by modifying hot sauce quantity, making this recipe perfect for different taste preferences and heat tolerances.

Ingredients For Hot Honey Chicken

• Chicken: Protein-rich main ingredient for the crispy baked dish.

• Buttermilk: Tenderizes chicken and adds tangy flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Cayenne Pepper, Salt, Black Pepper: Creates a flavorful and crispy exterior for the chicken.

• Honey, Hot Sauce, Butter: Provides sweet and spicy finishing touch to the baked chicken.

• Cooking Oil Spray: Helps achieve extra crispness on the chicken surface.

Baking Steps For Hot Honey Chicken

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 400F (200C). Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper or a wire rack to catch all those delicious drippings.

Step 2: Bath the Chicken in Buttermilk

Submerge the chicken in a buttermilk bath. Let it soak for at least 30 minutes, or if you’re feeling patient, overnight for maximum flavor and tenderness.

Step 3: Create the Crispy Coating

• All-purpose flour
• Paprika
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 4: Coat the Chicken

Pull the chicken from its buttermilk bath, letting the excess liquid drip away. Generously coat each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring every nook and cranny is covered.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

Arrange the coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Give each piece a light spray of cooking oil to help achieve that irresistible golden crunch.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway through.

You’re looking for a gorgeous golden color and an internal temperature of 165F.

Step 7: Whip Up the Hot Honey Glaze

• Honey
• Hot sauce
• Butter

Melt these ingredients together over low heat, stirring until they become a smooth, glossy glaze.

Step 8: Finish with Fiery Sweetness

Drizzle the hot honey glaze over the crispy baked chicken. Or set it aside as a dipping sauce for those who love an extra kick of flavor.

Tips To Get Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

• Marinate chicken in buttermilk overnight for maximum tenderness and flavor absorption.
• Use a wire rack on the baking sheet to ensure extra crispy chicken all around without soggy bottoms.
• Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken is perfectly cooked without drying out.
• Adjust cayenne pepper quantity based on personal spice tolerance for a customized heat level.
• Let chicken rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help retain juices and achieve optimal crunchiness.

Flavorful Spins On Hot Honey Chicken

• Gluten-Free Crunch: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs for a celiac-friendly version.
• Dairy-Free Option: Swap buttermilk with coconut milk or almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar for lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Spicy Herb Remix: Add dried herbs like thyme or rosemary to the flour mixture for an aromatic herbal chicken coating.
• Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Use crushed pork rinds instead of flour and replace honey with a sugar-free alternative like monk fruit sweetener.

Best Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

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4.8 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy baked hot honey chicken delivers crispy, golden-brown perfection with a sweet and fiery kick. Southern-inspired comfort meets gourmet flair for home cooks craving bold, irresistible flavors you’ll devour in minutes.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs or drumsticks
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour

Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Sauce Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 – 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon butter

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 400F (200C) and arrange a baking sheet with parchment paper or a wire rack for optimal cooking surface.
2. Submerge chicken pieces in buttermilk, allowing them to marinate for a minimum of 30 minutes or ideally overnight to enhance flavor and tenderness.
3. Create a seasoning blend by combining flour with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper in a wide, shallow container.
4. Carefully drain chicken from buttermilk, allowing excess liquid to drip off, then thoroughly coat each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
5. Arrange the flour-coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet, then lightly mist with cooking spray to promote a crispier exterior.
6. Roast in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, rotating the chicken midway through cooking to ensure even browning and achieving an internal temperature of 165F.
7. While chicken bakes, craft a glaze by gently heating honey, hot sauce, and butter in a small saucepan until ingredients seamlessly integrate and develop a smooth consistency.
8. Once chicken is golden and crisp, either drizzle the spicy honey glaze directly over the pieces or serve alongside as a dipping sauce for personalized enjoyment.

Notes

• Marinate chicken overnight in buttermilk for maximum tenderness and juiciness, helping break down proteins and infuse deep flavor.
• Use a wire rack on the baking sheet to ensure air circulation, creating an extra crispy exterior without soggy bottoms.
• Adjust cayenne and hot sauce levels to customize spice intensity, making the dish mild or fiery according to personal heat tolerance.
• For gluten-free option, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the same crispy coating texture.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 480 kcal
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0.1 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg