Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is the perfect balance of crispy, golden coating and sticky-sweet heat. Each piece of chicken is coated in a seasoned, crunchy breading, then drizzled with warm hot honey that seeps into every crevice. It’s spicy, sweet, and outrageously delicious—ideal for dinner, game day, or when you’re craving serious flavor.
Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is coated in crispy cornflakes and drizzled with spicy-sweet honey for the ultimate bold, juicy, flavor-packed bite
Why This Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Is the Best
- Ultra-Crispy Coating: Perfectly seasoned and fried to a golden crunch.
- Sweet & Spicy Honey Drizzle: The hot honey takes it to the next level.
- Juicy Chicken Inside: Tender and flavorful with every bite.
- Big Flavor with Simple Ingredients: Easy to prep, but tastes gourmet.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Loved by both spicy food fans and comfort food lovers.
Perfect for Any Occasion
This Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is great for weeknight dinners, casual entertaining, or weekend cravings. Serve it with sides like mac and cheese, slaw, or roasted veggies for a mouthwatering meal everyone will talk about.
Ingredient Notes
- Cornflakes: Crushed and toasted, these give the chicken its signature shatteringly crispy coating.
- Parmesan Cheese: Adds savory depth and enhances the crunch with a nutty, salty finish.
- Smoked Paprika: Brings subtle heat and a rich smokiness to the crust.
- Onion & Garlic Powder: Add aromatic, umami-rich seasoning throughout the coating.
- Eggs: Bind the crumbs to the chicken, ensuring an even, crispy coating when baked.
- Hot Sauce: Adds flavor and a tangy heat to the egg wash, seasoning the chicken from within.
- Chicken Breast Tenderloins: Lean and quick-cooking, perfect for crisping up while staying juicy.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Lightly drizzled to promote golden, even browning in the oven.
Hot Honey
- Honey: Sticky-sweet base that balances the bold spices and coats the chicken in glossy heat.
- Hot Sauce: Turns the sweetness spicy with a bright, zesty kick.
- Cayenne & Chipotle Powder: Layers of fiery heat with smoky, lingering warmth.
- Garlic & Onion Powder: Amplify the savory complexity of the sauce.
- Sea Salt: Sharpens all the flavors.
- Fresh Herbs (Thyme, Cilantro, or Parsley): A fresh, cooling finish that balances the heat.
Tips for Making the Best Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
- Double-Dip for Extra Crunch: Dredge in flour, dip in egg, then flour again.
- Use Buttermilk to Marinate (Optional): Makes the chicken even juicier.
- Fry at the Right Temperature: 175°C ensures crispy, not greasy, chicken.
- Warm the Honey Before Drizzling: Helps it soak into the crust.
- Add Chili Flakes or Hot Sauce to Honey: Customize your heat level.
Serving Suggestions
- With Buttermilk Biscuits or Cornbread: A Southern-style combo.
- On Waffles: For a sweet-and-savory brunch twist.
- Over Rice or Mashed Potatoes: Soaks up the hot honey perfectly.
- With Pickles or Slaw: Adds a tangy crunch to balance the heat.
A Must Try
Crispy, juicy, and coated in sticky hot honey, Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is pure comfort food with a fiery kick. Every bite hits with sweetness, spice, and golden-fried crunch. Whether you’re serving a crowd or treating yourself, this dish is an unforgettable flavor bomb you’ll want to make again and again.
Be sure to check out these other delicious dinner recipes!
Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breast tenderloins
- 6 cups cornflakes
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 2 tbsp hot sauce
- extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
Hot Honey
- 2-3 tbsp hot sauce
- 1-3 tsp cayenne pepper
- 3/4 tsp chipotle chili powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 cup honey
- sea salt
- fresh thyme cilantro, or parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper—this makes cleanup a breeze!
- In a food processor, toss in the cornflakes, parmesan, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Pulse until it turns into fine, crispy crumbs. No food processor? No problem! Just pop everything in a ziplock bag and crush it by stepping on it—yes, really! Pour the crumbs into a shallow bowl.
- Crack your eggs into a bowl, beat them up, then add the hot sauce and chicken. Give it all a good toss so the chicken gets fully coated.
- Now, take each piece of chicken and press it into the crumb mixture until it’s totally covered. Want an extra crunchy coating? Dip it back into the eggs, then again into the crumbs. Place all the coated chicken on your baking sheet and drizzle with a little olive oil.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is golden and crispy all over.
- While the chicken finishes up, make that sweet and spicy sauce! In a small saucepan, gently heat the honey, hot sauce, cayenne, chili powder, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt until warm and blended.
- Drizzle that warm, spicy honey sauce all over your crispy chicken, sprinkle on some fresh herbs, and dig in! If the sauce gets too thick, just zap it in the microwave for 5 seconds to loosen it up. Enjoy every bite!
Pin this delicious recipe on Pinterest to save and share it with your foodie friends!
Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is coated in crispy cornflakes and drizzled with spicy-sweet honey for the ultimate bold, juicy, flavor-packed bite