Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

Hot Honey Chicken is the ultimate crave-worthy dinner—think juicy chicken with irresistibly crunchy coating and a sticky-sweet, spicy glaze that makes every bite unforgettable. It’s shockingly simple, but feels restaurant-special, perfect for when you want a meal that truly wows.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Hot Honey Chicken is in its simplicity—each ingredient brings its own magic! From the cornflake crunch to the spicy-sweet honey sauce, every element plays a delicious role in the final dish.

• Chicken Breasts: Slicing them thinly ensures even cooking and maximum crunch-to-chicken ratio.
• All-Purpose Flour: Key for that first light coating, helping everything stick beautifully.
• Salt & Black Pepper: The classic seasoning duo—don’t underestimate their power for flavor!
• Garlic Powder, Paprika & Dried Thyme: This trio adds depth, subtle heat, and earthy notes directly into the coating.
• Eggs: Whisked eggs help the cornflakes adhere for that signature shatter.
• Cornflakes: The secret to the crispiest golden crust ever—crushed, but not pulverized, for best texture.
• Neutral Oil: Just a splash over the cornflakes helps them toast up in the oven for that “fried” finish.
• Honey: Choose runny honey for easy drizzling and a luscious sweetness in the hot honey sauce.
• Hot Pepper Sauce: Frank’s RedHot, Cholula, or your favorite brand all work—this brings the essential kick.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds silky richness to the sauce, balancing heat and sweetness.
• Smoked Paprika, Cayenne Pepper, Garlic Powder: These transform the sauce into a smoky, tangy, super flavorful drizzle.
• Maldon Salt Flakes & Pickled Gherkins (optional): For a final flourish of texture and tangy contrast—you’ll love the pop!

Variations

Hot Honey Chicken is easy to make uniquely yours—switch up the seasonings, adjust the spice, or give it a fun twist to suit your mood or what’s in your pantry. Don’t be afraid to experiment!

• Swap the Protein: Try chicken thighs for extra juiciness, or make spicy-hot honey tenders with strips of chicken.
• Turn Up The Heat: Add more cayenne or use a hotter pepper sauce in the honey glaze if you’re daring!
• Go Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour and certified gluten-free cornflakes for allergy-friendly crunch.
• Air Fryer Friendly: Pop the coated chicken in your air fryer—check the instructions below!
• Sauce It Your Way: Prefer it sweeter or tangier? Play with the honey-to-hot-sauce ratio until you find your personal sweet spot.

How to Make Hot Honey Chicken

Step 1: Prep & Slice the Chicken

Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F (fan) and line a big baking sheet with parchment—easy clean-up! Take those chicken breasts and carefully slice them in half horizontally, creating 8 thin “steaks.” This trick helps the crust crisp evenly and keeps every bite extra juicy.

Step 2: Set Up a Dredging Station

Grab three shallow bowls. In the first: whisk together flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and thyme. In the second bowl, beat your eggs. In the third, add the crushed cornflakes, then drizzle with oil and stir until the flakes are lightly coated—this will give your chicken that irresistible fried look and taste straight from the oven.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Time for the fun part! Dip each chicken steak in the flour, then the egg, then give it a generous coating of those oiled cornflakes—press gently so every nook and cranny is covered. Lay them out in a single layer on your prepared baking sheet.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden & Crisp

Pop the tray into your oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is gloriously golden and crisp. You’ll start to smell that irresistible toasty aroma!

Step 5: Make the Hot Honey Sauce

While the chicken bakes, combine honey, hot pepper sauce, butter, smoked paprika, cayenne, and garlic powder in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently and let the butter melt completely—you’ll have a glossy, fragrant sauce ready to drizzle. Turn off the heat and set aside.

Step 6: Serve & Drizzle!

Divide the hot honey chicken among plates, drizzle with lots of hot honey sauce, and sprinkle with Maldon salt flakes. I love adding pickled gherkins on the side for that little snappy contrast. Serve immediately and watch everyone go back for seconds!

How to Serve Hot Honey Chicken

Garnishes

A flourish of Maldon salt flakes just before serving brings a pop of texture and enhances every spicy-sweet bite of your Hot Honey Chicken. For brightness and crunch, thinly sliced green onions or a sprinkle of fresh parsley won’t go amiss, and pickled gherkins or bread-and-butter pickles on the side make each mouthful sing.

Side Dishes

This dish is a superstar with classic sides like creamy mashed potatoes, fluffy buttermilk biscuits, or a simple green salad. If you’re after a lighter combo, serve Hot Honey Chicken with crisp coleslaw or roasted sweet potatoes for a satisfying balance of flavors and textures.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, slice your Hot Honey Chicken and tuck it into slider buns with spicy mayo and pickles—it’s an instant party hit! Or serve atop fluffy waffles (brunch, anyone?) for an unforgettable sweet-spicy-salty treat. You can even chop leftovers and toss into salads for a punchy protein boost.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Hot Honey Chicken stays delicious for up to two days in the fridge—just be sure to cool it quickly, then cover and refrigerate. Keep the sauce separate for best texture; it’ll keep for a week and is divine on roasted veggies, too.

Freezing

You can bake the chicken ahead, let it cool, and freeze it in a single layer for up to a month. To serve, defrost overnight and reheat so the coating crisp ups again—don’t freeze the sauce; honey-based glazes often separate when thawed.

Reheating

To restore that irresistible crunch, reheat chicken in a hot (180°C/350°F) oven or air fryer, uncovered, until piping hot throughout. Warm the sauce gently on the stovetop and drizzle just before eating for the best Hot Honey Chicken experience!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a dinner that’s fuss-free but feels utterly special, you need to try Hot Honey Chicken. The combo of flavor, texture, and ease is downright addictive. Give it a go—the first bite will win you over, I promise!

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