Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

$For this tasty dish, you need: - 1.5 pounds chicken thighs, boneless and skinless - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour - 2 large eggs These chicken thighs bring juiciness. Panko gives a nice crunch. The flour helps the coating stick well. Eggs help bind everything together. Here are the spices for flavor: - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon onion powder - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for heat preference) - Salt and pepper to taste This mix adds depth. Garlic and onion powders give a savory touch. Smoked paprika offers warmth, and cayenne gives heat. Adjust cayenne to fit your taste. To make the hot honey sauce, gather: - 1/4 cup honey - 2 tablespoons sriracha (or hot sauce of choice) - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar This sauce is sweet and spicy. Honey brings sweetness, while sriracha adds heat. Apple cider vinegar gives a nice tang. Mix these for a delicious finish. {{ingredient_image_1}} First, gather all your ingredients. You will need chicken thighs, panko breadcrumbs, flour, eggs, and spices. This is important for smooth cooking. Next, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures even cooking. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps with easy cleanup. In a shallow dish, mix together flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. This mix adds great flavor. Now, in another bowl, beat two eggs. This will help the breadcrumbs stick. Put the panko breadcrumbs in a third dish. This will make your chicken super crispy. Take each chicken thigh and coat it in the flour mix. Make sure to cover it well. Next, dip the coated thigh into the beaten eggs. This step is key for the crunch. Then, press the chicken into the panko breadcrumbs. Make sure it is well coated. Place the coated chicken on the baking sheet. Bake the chicken in the oven for 25-30 minutes. Look for a golden and crunchy coating. The chicken should be cooked through to 165°F (74°C). While the chicken bakes, make the hot honey sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, sriracha, and apple cider vinegar. This sauce adds a sweet and spicy kick. Once the chicken is done baking, drizzle the hot honey sauce over the thighs. Make sure to coat them well. Return the baking sheet to the oven for another 5 minutes. This helps the sauce caramelize slightly. After that, remove the chicken from the oven. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. You can serve the hot honey chicken on a large platter. Garnish it with chopped parsley for a pop of color. Enjoy with sides like coleslaw or roasted vegetables for a full meal. To get that perfect crunch, use panko breadcrumbs. They are lighter and crispier than regular ones. Press the chicken into the panko firmly. This helps the coating stick well. Make sure you bake at 400°F. This high heat gives a golden color and a crunchy texture. If you like heat, add more cayenne pepper. You can also increase the sriracha in the sauce. If you prefer less spice, cut back on the cayenne. You can also use a milder hot sauce. Remember, taste the sauce before you drizzle it on the chicken. Adjust it to match your heat preference. Always preheat your oven. This helps the chicken cook evenly. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes clean-up easier. Bake the chicken for 25-30 minutes. Check if it’s cooked through and golden. Let the chicken rest before serving. This keeps it juicy and tasty. Pro Tips Use a Meat Thermometer: To ensure your chicken is cooked perfectly, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (75°C). Customize Your Heat: Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper or sriracha in the hot honey sauce to match your preferred spice level. Let it Rest: After baking, let the chicken rest for a few minutes. This helps the juices redistribute, making the chicken more tender and flavorful. Experiment with Breadcrumbs: For added flavor, try using seasoned panko breadcrumbs or even crushed cornflakes for a unique twist on the crunch. {{image_2}} You can switch up the protein in this recipe. Try using chicken breasts instead of thighs. They will still turn out juicy. If you prefer a different meat, turkey is a good choice. For a plant-based option, use tofu or tempeh. Both absorb flavors well and become crispy when baked. The sauce makes this dish special. You can mix it up by using different hot sauces. If you want less heat, try a mild sauce. For a sweet twist, add some maple syrup to the honey. You can also stir in garlic or ginger for extra flavor. Don’t be afraid to experiment! Serving this chicken is easy and fun. You can lay the chicken on a big platter. Sprinkle fresh parsley on top for color. Serve it with coleslaw for crunch or roasted veggies for health. You can also pair it with rice or mashed potatoes. Enjoy it with your favorite dipping sauce for an extra treat! You can store Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken in an airtight container. Let the chicken cool down first. It will stay fresh in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to keep it longer, freezing is a good option. To reheat, place the chicken on a baking sheet. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for about 10 to 15 minutes. This keeps the chicken crunchy and warm. You can also use a microwave, but it may lose some crunch. If you want to freeze the chicken, wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer bag. They will stay good for up to three months. When you're ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat as described above. Yes, you can use chicken breasts. They will cook faster than thighs. Just cut them into even pieces. This helps them cook evenly. The taste will change a bit, but they will still be tasty. To reduce the heat, cut back on cayenne pepper. You can also skip the sriracha in the sauce. Adding more honey will balance the flavor too. Serve with yogurt or sour cream to cool it down. Great sides include coleslaw, roasted vegetables, or rice. A fresh salad with lemon dressing also works. You can even serve it with crispy fries or mashed potatoes. These sides complement the chicken's sweet and spicy flavors perfectly. In this blog post, I covered the key ingredients and cooking steps for Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken. I shared tips for perfecting the crunch and adjusting spice levels. I also explored variations in proteins and sauces, along with best storage methods. This dish is simple yet rewarding. With easy steps and fun options, you can enjoy a tasty meal. Don't hesitate to try new ingredients or adjust to your taste. Happy cooking!$

Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

Crispy baked chicken thighs coated in panko breadcrumbs and drizzled with a spicy hot honey sauce.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 35

Total Time 50

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

1.5 pounds chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
0.5 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
0.5 teaspoon cayenne pepper
to taste salt and pepper
0.25 cup honey
2 tablespoons sriracha
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
to taste fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a shallow dish, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
In another bowl, beat the eggs. In a third dish, place the panko breadcrumbs.
Take each chicken thigh, coat it in the flour mixture, dip it in the beaten eggs, and finally, press it into the panko breadcrumbs to ensure a good coating.
Place the coated chicken thighs on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden and crunchy.
While the chicken is baking, prepare the hot honey sauce by whisking together the honey, sriracha, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl.
Once the chicken is done, drizzle the hot honey sauce over the crispy chicken thighs, making sure to coat them well.
Return the baking sheet to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to allow the sauce to caramelize slightly.
Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Serve the hot honey chicken on a large platter, garnished with freshly chopped parsley. You can also drizzle a bit more hot honey over the top for an extra kick and a beautiful glossy finish. Enjoy with a side of coleslaw or roasted vegetables for a complete meal!

Keyword baked, chicken, crispy, hot honey, spicy