Description
A mouthwatering dish that combines crispy baked chicken with a sweet and spicy hot honey glaze. Perfect for easy dinners, game-day snacks, or crowd-pleasing meals, this recipe delivers bold flavors without the mess of frying.
Ingredients
– 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
– 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or substitute with crushed cornflakes or almond flour for gluten-free options)
– 1/2 cup hot honey sauce (store-bought or homemade)
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, adjust for spiciness)
– 1/2 cup buttermilk (or Greek yogurt as a healthier alternative)
– Salt, to taste
– Olive oil spray
– Optional garnishes: sesame seeds, fresh parsley, red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Marinate Chicken: Place 4 chicken pieces in a bowl with 1/2 cup of buttermilk. Marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight for deeper flavor).
- Prepare Breading: In a separate bowl, mix 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (if using), and a pinch of salt.
- Bread Chicken: Remove chicken from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Coat each piece evenly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the breaded chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Spray generously with olive oil to ensure crispiness.
- Bake Chicken: Preheat oven to 400°F. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until golden-brown and fully cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/75°C).
- Add Glaze: Once baked, brush or drizzle 1/2 cup of hot honey sauce over the chicken. Garnish with sesame seeds, parsley, or red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
– Use panko breadcrumbs for maximum crispiness and spray lightly with olive oil for an even golden crust.
– Adjust sweetness and spiciness by adding more honey or cayenne/red pepper flakes to the glaze.
– Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven at 350°F to maintain texture.
– For meal prep, prepare the chicken ahead of time and glaze it just before serving for fresh results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 30 minutes marinating)
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish / Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: ~350 kcal
- Sugar: ~12g
- Sodium: ~500mg
- Fat: ~12g
- Saturated Fat: ~3g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~8g
- Trans Fat: ~0g
- Carbohydrates: ~25g
- Fiber: ~2g
- Protein: ~35g
- Cholesterol: ~90mg