Description
Hot honey chicken brings sizzling flavor right to your dinner table with a perfect balance of sweet and spicy that’ll make your taste buds dance. Crispy chicken gets drizzled with golden honey infused with fiery chili, creating a simple yet mouthwatering meal that sparks joy in just minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 5 cups corn flakes
Seasoning and Coating:
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 12 tablespoons garlic powder
- 12 tablespoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 to 2 tablespoons hot sauce
Glaze and Finishing:
- ¾ cup honey
- 1 ½ tablespoons chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Set your oven to 425F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures even cooking and prevents sticking.
- Crush 5 cups of corn flakes inside a sealed plastic bag using a rolling pin. Break them into small, uneven pieces for extra crunch.
- Create the seasoning mixture by combining crushed corn flakes, 1 tablespoon smoked paprika, 12 tablespoons garlic powder, and 2 teaspoons salt in a wide bowl.
- Prepare the wet coating by whisking 2 large eggs, 1 cup buttermilk, and 1 to 2 tablespoons hot sauce in a separate bowl until smooth.
- Submerge 2 pounds of chicken thighs in the egg mixture, ensuring each piece is completely coated.
- Transfer chicken from the wet mixture and roll each piece in the seasoned corn flake mixture. Press gently to help crumbs adhere.
- Arrange breaded chicken thighs in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Space them slightly apart for crispy edges.
- Bake chicken at 425F for 25 minutes, until a meat thermometer reads 165F in the thickest section.
- Let chicken rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven to help juices redistribute.
- Create hot honey glaze by whisking ¾ cup honey and 1 ½ tablespoons chili flakes in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Remove honey mixture from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon hot sauce and 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar. Allow to sit for 10 minutes.
- Drizzle warm honey glaze generously over the crispy chicken before serving.
Notes
- Crush cornflakes thoroughly to create a crispy, even coating that sticks well to chicken thighs.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches exactly 165F for perfect doneness and food safety.
- Allow the hot honey to cool slightly before drizzling to prevent burning and let flavors meld.
- For a gluten-free version, swap cornflakes with crushed gluten-free rice cereal or almond flour.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg