Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken
Savor the irresistible taste of Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken, featuring boneless chicken breasts, a crunchy cornflake coating, and a sweet-spicy sauce. Perfectly baked for a satisfying crunch!
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Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken
Every time I prepare this Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken, it transports me back to my college days. My roommates and I would experiment in our tiny kitchen, trying to recreate our favorite takeout recipes. One chilly autumn evening, armed with thriftiness and a craving for something comforting yet zingy, we decided to bake instead of fry, using whatever we could find in our pantry. The result? A delightfully tasty and satisfying dish that became our go-to for nearly every study session and movie night. Now, whenever I make this recipe, it feels like a warm hug from the past, filled with laughter and the sweet scent of honey and spices.
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Ingredients
For the Chicken:
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| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Boneless, skinless chicken breasts | 3 large (about 1.5 pounds) |
| Salt and black pepper | To taste |
| Nonstick cooking spray | As needed |
For the Flour Mixture:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Flour | 1/2 cup, generously measured |
| Light brown sugar | 3 tablespoons, firmly packed |
For the Egg Mixture:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Eggs | 3 large, thoroughly whisked |
| Hot sauce | 2 teaspoons |
For the Breading Mixture:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cornflakes, crushed | 5 cups |
| Paprika | 1 1/2 teaspoons |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Chili powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Black pepper | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Cayenne pepper | 1/4 teaspoon |
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Honey | 1/2 cup |
| Hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s Red Hot) | 1/4 cup |
| Butter | 3 tablespoons |
| Light brown sugar | 1 tablespoon, firmly packed |
| Apple cider vinegar | 2 teaspoons |
| Garlic powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Onion powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Mustard powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
Instructions
- Preparatory Work:
- Crush the cornflakes into small, uneven pieces using a food processor, rolling pin, or manual force.
- Set up the flour mixture, egg mixture, and breading mixture in three separate shallow bowls.
- Halve each chicken breast lengthwise to create two thinner slices and tenderize the smooth side with a meat mallet to a thickness of 1/2 inch. Optionally, cut the tenderized chicken into smaller strips or pieces.
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Breading Process:
- Ensure the chicken is completely dry, then season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Dredge each piece first in the flour mixture, ensuring a generous coat.
- Dip next into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off to prevent a soggy breading.
- Coat thoroughly in the crushed cornflake mixture, pressing the crumbs onto the chicken to adhere well. If necessary, repeat the dipping in the egg and then the cornflakes for areas that appear under-coated.
- Arrange the breaded chicken on a lightly greased, light-colored baking sheet.
- Lightly spray the breaded chicken with nonstick cooking spray.
- Baking and Sauce Preparation:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-16 minutes or until the coating is golden and crisp.
- Meanwhile, combine the ingredients for the hot honey sauce in a small saucepan over low heat. Once the butter has melted, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and keep warm until ready to serve.
- Once baked, remove the chicken from the oven and generously drizzle with the prepared hot honey sauce. Optionally, reserve additional sauce for dipping.
Enjoy this delightful Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken, perfect for bringing back fond memories or creating new ones with friends and family!
