Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
Discover how to make Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken with bold flavor, crispy texture, and a sweet-spicy kick—perfect for easy dinners everyone loves.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Using high-quality fresh chicken ensures a tender and flavorful result.
For the Marinade and Glaze:
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust for your desired heat level
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- These ingredients combine to create the signature sweet and spicy hot honey glaze that makes the dish so irresistible.
Instructions
Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Lightly grease a baking sheet with cooking spray or olive oil. This ensures the chicken won’t stick and helps achieve a crispy finish.
Marinate the Chicken:
- In a large bowl, combine the honey, hot sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- Whisk the mixture until smooth and evenly blended.
- Add your chicken pieces to the bowl, ensuring every piece is thoroughly coated with the marinade.
- For optimal flavor, allow the chicken to marinate for at least 20 minutes. If time allows, marinate for up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
Arrange for Baking:
- Place the marinated chicken on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Make sure the pieces are not overlapping; this promotes even cooking and a consistent crunch.
Bake and Enhance:
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the edges begin to char slightly.
- For an extra crispy texture, brush any remaining glaze onto the chicken halfway through baking.
- If you prefer a more pronounced crunch, switch to broil for the last 2-3 minutes, keeping a close eye to avoid burning.
Rest and Serve:
- Once baked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest on the tray for about 5 minutes.
- Resting allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring every bite remains tender and flavorful.
Notes
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 420
- Total Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
- Sodium: 540mg
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Sugars: 14g
- Protein: 28g