Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

When watching commercials or looking at advertisements as you are driving down the road you may have noticed that hot honey chicken has become extremely popular. This trending menu item is commonly found in large chain store restaurants and now in many local establishments.

Pieces of crispy chicken that has the perfect blend of sweet and spicy flavors. You can eat it as a stand alone main dish or the chicken can be served in a bun as a sandwich.

However, instead of heading to a restaurant you can enjoy this dish in the comfort of your own home. With just a few ingredients you will turn plain chicken breast tenderloins into pieces of crunchy chicken filled with flavor or the sauce may become your favorite wing sauce.

With the mixture of spices on both the chicken and in the hot honey sauce, you’ve got a double shot of flavor that makes this recipe a must make. First you will bite into the crispy outer coating drizzled with the sauce, then you will sink your teeth into the tender, juicy and flavorful chicken on the inside.  

The chicken is great to serve as the main dish alongside mashed potatoes, French fries or Onion Rings. However you can also serve it in a variety of ways which makes this recipe extremely versatile and perfect to make for several occasions.

Hot Honey Chicken Meal Ideas

Chicken Sandwich: 

Layer your crispy Hot Honey Chicken between two slices of homemade Artisan bread or in between a Brioche bun. Add a little mayo, lettuce, tomatoes and pickles for even more crunch and flavor.

Wraps: 

Place the chicken in a soft tortilla wrap and top with shredded cheddar cheese, cool crunchy coleslaw, and a drizzle of Ranch dressing. Then roll it up and enjoy the portable meal for lunch or a snack on the go.

Chicken Salad: 

Slice your Hot Honey Chicken and arrange it on top of a bed of mixed greens. Add veggies such as roasted corn, diced red bell peppers, and sliced cucumber. Drizzle your favorite creamy dressing over the top for a satisfying yet lighter meal.

Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits: 

Split open some fresh, warm biscuits and top them with chicken for breakfast or brunch. Add a drizzle of syrup for an extra layer of sweetness.

Spicy Chicken Tacos: 

Transform your Hot Honey Chicken into spicy chicken tacos by slicing the chicken and placing it in soft or hard taco shells. Then add shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, and a cool drizzle of sour cream on top.

Hot Honey Chicken Pizza: 

That’s right! Get creative here and use your Hot Honey Chicken as a pizza topping. Just spread a thin layer of your preferred sauce (white or red) over a pizza crust, and then add bite-size pieces of the sweet and spicy chicken on top.

Top the pizza with Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. After baking, drizzle with extra Hot Honey sauce.

Now that you know that you have several ways to enjoy this versatile dish, it is time to get cooking!

Making Hot Honey Chicken

To begin, preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and then line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Lining the baking sheet helps to prevent the chicken from sticking to the pan and also makes for easy clean up!

Then combine cornflakes, parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt into a food processor. Pulse until fine crumbs develop. 

If you don’t have a food processor place the ingredients in a large resealable plastic bag. Then use a rolling pin and gently roll and crush the mixture until it resembles coarse sand. Place the topping in a large shallow bowl.

In a medium bowl, whisk the egg and any hot sauce that you prefer. Coat each chicken tenderloin in the egg mixture, then dredge in the cornflake crumb mixture, ensuring both sides are well coated.

For a thicker, crunchy coating, dip the coated chicken back through the eggs, then back into the cornflake mixture a second time. Place the coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet and then lightly spray or drizzle the top with olive oil.

Next, bake the chicken for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is a deep golden brown color.

Spicy & Sweet: Making the Sauce

While the chicken bakes, it is time to prepare the hot honey sauce. Do this by combining the honey, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt in a small pan. 

Then place the pan on a low/medium heat and let it come to a simmer. Then lower the heat so the mixture can stay warm and slightly thicken as it cools. 

Once the chicken comes out of the oven drizzle the warm honey mixture over top of the chicken. Then garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.

There are endless possibilities with Hot Honey Chicken.  From mouthwatering sandwiches and wraps to refreshing salads and innovative pizza creations, there’s no limit to the ways you can enjoy this dish. Better yet, it’s fantastic on its own with the crispy crust, savory spices and the sticky sweet heat of the hot honey. 

Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

*A printable recipe card is located at the bottom of this article which contains the specific measurements, temperatures and cook times. However, continue reading below to learn about more helpful tips about this specific recipe.

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups cornflakes
• 4 teaspoons fresh grated parmesan cheese
• 1/3 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1/2 tablespoon hot sauce
• 2/3 pound chicken breast tenderloins
• extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Hot Honey Ingredients

• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce
• 1/3 teaspoon cayenne pepper, more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Garnish

• chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.

Then, the bowl of a food processor add the cornflakes, Parmesan cheese, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Pulse intermittently until fine crumbs develop.

*If you don’t have a food processor add the ingredients in a large resealable plastic bag and seal. Then use a rolling pin to crush the cornflakes into small crumbs. Place the crumbs in a shallow bowl. Set aside.

In a medium size bowl, beat the egg. Add the hot sauce to the bowl and whisk until well incorporated.

Add the chicken to the bowl with the egg and hot sauce and then coat both sides of each chicken piece. Then dredge the chicken in the cornflake crumb mixture, covering both sides. Place each coated piece on the prepared baking sheet.

Drizzle the top of each chicken strip with olive oil (not extra virgin). Then place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is crispy on the outside.

Make The Sauce

After the chicken has been baking for 15 minutes it is time to make the hot honey sauce. In a small saucepan add the honey, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder and salt. Stir well and heat until it begins to come to a simmer. Then reduce the heat to low.

Once the chicken comes out of the oven, drizzle the warm sauce over the top of each piece. Then sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley if desired.

Want more great ideas for making mouth watering meals with chicken? Try some of my favorite recipes that are listed below.

• Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole
• Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
• Grilled Peach Glazed Chicken and Rice

Enjoy! Mary

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