Name: Crispy Hot Honey Baked Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs; 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/4 cup cayenne pepper; 1/4 teaspoon onion powder; 2 large eggs; 1 tablespoon hot sauce, such as Crystal or Tabasco; 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 to 1 1/2 pounds total); 1/2 cup honey; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1 pinch kosher salt; Coarsely chopped fresh thyme leaves, for garnish (optional); Flaky salt, for garnish (optional)

Jump to Recipe

If you’re seeking a show-stopping chicken dinner that balances bold flavors and irresistible texture, you’ve got to try this Crispy Hot Honey Baked Chicken Recipe. Imagine supremely crunchy, golden panko-crusted chicken made extra flavorful with Parmesan and smoked paprika, drizzled with a sticky-sweet, fiery hot honey glaze. This dish captures that perfect bite: savory, spicy, sweet, and just a whisper of garlic. It’s simple enough for a weeknight but impressive enough for guests. If you adore a recipe that delivers both comfort and heat, this one will claim a forever spot in your rotation.

Crispy Hot Honey Baked Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Crispy Hot Honey Baked Chicken Recipe is in its simple yet purposeful lineup of ingredients. Each one is handpicked to contribute layers of flavor, irresistible crunch, and eye-catching color to every bite.

Panko breadcrumbs: The secret to that ultra-crunchy, shatteringly crisp coating you’ll crave in every bite.
Grated Parmesan cheese: Adds a nutty, umami-rich layer to the crust and helps it brown beautifully.
Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning both the chicken and the breadcrumb mixture; don’t skimp!
Freshly ground black pepper: Gives a grounding warmth and complexity to balance the spice.
Smoked paprika: Infuses subtle smokiness, providing color and an earthy undertone.
Cayenne pepper: Brings the heat—use more or less depending on how fiery you like it!
Onion powder: Rounds everything out with deep, savory flavor.
Large eggs: Help the crunchy coating stick to the chicken for even coverage.
Hot sauce (Crystal or Tabasco): Adds a zippy punch to the egg wash—pick your favorite!
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Cut thin for fast, even cooking and plenty of crispy edges.
Honey: The foundation of your sticky-sweet, spicy glaze.
Unsalted butter: Makes the hot honey sauce luscious and silky.
Garlic (minced): Adds a fragrant, savory backbone to the sauce.
Fresh thyme leaves (optional): A pretty, aromatic finishing touch for garnish.
Flaky salt (optional): Sprinkled on top right before serving for texture and next-level flavor.

How to Make Crispy Hot Honey Baked Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Breading Station

Start by heating your oven to 400°F. In one shallow dish or pie plate, combine the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon of salt and pepper, smoked paprika, a hint of cayenne, and onion powder. In a separate bowl, whisk your eggs together with the hot sauce to make the chicken’s dipping bath. Arranging your station ahead of time keeps things tidy and the workflow smooth.

Step 2: Prep the Chicken

Take your boneless, skinless chicken breasts and slice them in half horizontally—this gives you four thinner pieces, so every bite has that perfect ratio of crispy coating to juicy chicken. To ensure even cooking and extra crunch, place each piece in a zip-top bag and pound to a 1/4-inch thickness using a rolling pin or the flat side of a meat mallet.

Step 3: Bread the Chicken

Sprinkle the remaining kosher salt over the chicken pieces for that first layer of flavor. One at a time, dip each chicken cutlet into the egg-hot sauce mixture, letting any excess drip off, then lay it into your panko mixture. Gently press so the crumb mixture clings to all sides. Place the breaded chicken pieces on a rimmed baking sheet, giving them a little space to get crispy on all edges.

Step 4: Bake the Chicken

Slide the tray into your preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, flipping halfway through for even browning. You’re looking for a deeply golden, crunchy exterior and fully cooked, juicy interiors. The aroma is going to fill your kitchen with anticipation!

Step 5: Make the Hot Honey Sauce

While the chicken finishes baking, prepare the crowning glory: the hot honey sauce. In a small skillet over medium heat, combine the honey, butter, minced garlic, more cayenne, onion powder, and a touch of salt. Let it all gently simmer until bubbling and intoxicatingly fragrant—about two minutes is all you need. Turn off the heat to keep that perfect drizzle-able consistency.

Step 6: Glaze the Chicken

Once your chicken is gorgeously crisp and piping hot, coat each piece in the warm hot honey sauce—either dip each piece right into the sauce or spoon the glaze generously over the top. Get every nook and cranny! Any extra sauce can be drizzled over the serving plate. Wash or soak your pan soon after, as the sauce can set up quickly as it cools.

How to Serve Crispy Hot Honey Baked Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

For a pop of freshness and a restaurant-worthy finish, sprinkle with coarsely chopped fresh thyme leaves and a pinch of flaky salt just before serving. These little touches make the colors and textures of your Crispy Hot Honey Baked Chicken Recipe sing.

Side Dishes

This chicken is a superstar next to creamy mashed potatoes, crisp coleslaw, or even a big green salad. You could also pile it high on a toasted brioche bun for a spicy chicken sandwich with extra personality.

Creative Ways to Present

Try slicing the chicken and layering it on a platter for easy serving at parties. Or, turn it into irresistible sliders for game day, tucking a piece between soft rolls with pickles and lettuce. You can even serve bite-sized pieces as a toothpick appetizer drizzled with extra hot honey for a crowd-pleasing snack.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftover pieces (lucky you!), let the chicken cool completely on a rack before storing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The coating will stay relatively crisp if stored uncovered for the first hour, then sealed tightly after.

Freezing

The breaded, baked chicken (without the hot honey glaze) freezes well. Lay the pieces on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer bag or container. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake or reheat before adding the sauce fresh for maximum crispness.

Reheating

For the best texture, reheat the chicken on a wire rack in a 350°F oven for about 10-15 minutes until hot and crisp. Microwave reheating works in a pinch but could dampen the crust. Warm the hot honey sauce separately and drizzle before serving.

FAQs

How spicy is this Crispy Hot Honey Baked Chicken Recipe?

The spice level is customizable—thanks to both cayenne and hot sauce. Use less cayenne if you prefer a gentle heat, or amp it up if you love things fiery. The honey balances out the spice beautifully, giving you that addictive sweet-meets-heat flavor.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Boneless, skinless thighs are a fantastic option. They’re juicy and flavorful, though you may want to pound them thinner and check for doneness since they sometimes take a few more minutes to bake than breasts.

What can I use instead of panko breadcrumbs?

If you’re out of panko, try regular breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes—they’ll still give you a deliciously crisp finish, though panko offers maximum crunch. Avoid traditional seasoned breadcrumbs, as they can overpower the flavors here.

Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

Yes! Simply swap the panko for gluten-free panko or crushed rice cereal, and double-check that your Parmesan and hot sauce are gluten-free. Everything else in the Crispy Hot Honey Baked Chicken Recipe is naturally gluten-free.

Is there a way to make the hot honey sauce less sweet?

Certainly! Substitute part of the honey with agave, or add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to the sauce for extra tang. This balances the sweetness and gives the glaze even more complexity.

Final Thoughts

I can’t wait for you and your loved ones to try this Crispy Hot Honey Baked Chicken Recipe. It’s the kind of meal that turns heads and gets real excitement around the table with each golden, sticky, spicy-sweet bite. There’s magic in the crunch, so don’t be shy with the hot honey—and be sure to savor every last bit!

Crispy Hot Honey Baked Chicken Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 11 reviews

Author: lina
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This Crispy Hot Honey Baked Chicken recipe combines crispy, panko-crusted chicken with a spicy-sweet hot honey sauce for a delicious twist on classic baked chicken.

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Heat the oven to 400ºF. Stir breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, spices in a plate. Whisk eggs and hot sauce in a bowl.
Prepare the chicken: Cut chicken breasts, pound to flatten, season with salt, bread each piece with egg mixture and breadcrumbs, place on a baking sheet.
Bake the chicken: Bake for about 30 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
Make the hot honey sauce: Heat honey, butter, garlic, spices in a skillet until simmering. Coat baked chicken in the sauce.
Serve: Garnish chicken with thyme leaves and flaky salt if desired.