Name: Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: PT-487101H1M53S
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 cups cornflakes (gluten-free if needed); ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese; 1 tsp smoked paprika; ½ tsp onion powder; ½ tsp garlic powder; Pinch of sea salt; 2 large eggs, beaten; 2 Tbsp hot sauce; 2 lb (about 900 g) chicken breast tenderloins; Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling; ½ cup honey; 2–3 Tbsp hot sauce; 1–3 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste); ¾ tsp chipotle chili powder; ½ tsp garlic powder; ½ tsp onion powder; Pinch of sea salt; Fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley (for garnish)

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Short Description

These Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken tenders are coated in a spiced cornflake-parmesan crust and drizzled with sticky, spicy honey sauce—crispy, bold, and utterly irresistible.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super crunchy texture from the cornflake and parmesan crust without frying
Sweet-heat balance—spicy chicken topped with a sticky hot honey glaze
Oven-baked simplicity—no deep fryer, just a drizzle of olive oil and bake

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Crust

6 cups cornflakes (use gluten‑free if needed)
¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp garlic powder
Pinch of sea salt

Coating

2 large eggs, beaten
2 Tbsp hot sauce
2 lb (about 900 g) chicken breast tenderloins
Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Hot Honey Sauce

½ cup honey
2–3 Tbsp hot sauce
1–3 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
¾ tsp chipotle chili powder
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
Pinch of sea salt

Garnish

Fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley

Directions

Preheat Oven & Prep Pan
- Preheat to 425 °F (220 °C).
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Make Crust Mixture
- In a food processor, pulse cornflakes, parmesan, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt into fine crumbs.
- Transfer to a shallow bowl.
Prepare Chicken Coating
- Beat eggs with hot sauce in a second bowl.
- Add chicken tenderloins and toss to coat.
Dredge Chicken
- Roll each piece in crumb mixture until fully covered.
- For extra crunch, double-dip: after the first coating, return to egg mixture and then crust again.
- Place coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet and drizzle lightly with olive oil.
Bake Chicken
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden and crisp, flipping halfway if desired for even browning.
Make Hot Honey
- While chicken is baking, warm honey, hot sauce, cayenne, chipotle, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt in a small saucepan until blended and pourable.
Finish & Serve
- Drizzle hot honey sauce over the crisp chicken.
- Garnish with fresh thyme, cilantro, or parsley.
- Serve hot and enjoy the sweet, spicy, crunchy goodness!

Servings And Timing

Yield: Serves 4–6 as a main course or 6–8 as an appetizer
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: ~35 minutes

Variations

Spice It Up: Add chili flakes to the egg mixture or increase cayenne in the sauce for more heat.
Cheesy Crust: Mix in 2 Tbsp finely grated parmesan into the egg stage before dredging.
Herb Crunch: Add finely chopped fresh herbs (like parsley or rosemary) to the crust mix.
Sweet Swap: Substitute maple syrup or agave in the hot sauce for a different sweetness profile.

Storage/Reheating

Refrigerator: Store leftovers covered for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Bake at 350 °F for 5–7 minutes to re-crisp before drizzling with sauce.
Make‑Ahead: Bake chicken and prepare sauce separately; warm and assemble just before serving.

FAQs

1. Can I Use Chicken Thighs Instead?

Yes—you can use boneless chicken thighs cut into strips; adjust bake time to ensure they’re cooked through (~5 extra minutes).

2. Can I Skip The Cornflakes and Use Breadcrumbs?

Yes—use panko or seasoned breadcrumbs for a similar crunch.

3. How Do I Make It Gluten-Free?

Use certified gluten-free cornflakes and ensure hot sauce is gluten-free.

4. Is The Sauce Too Spicy For Kids?

Adjust the heat: reduce cayenne and hot sauce in both coating and sauce to mild levels.

5. Can I Grill Instead Of Bake?

Yes—cook on a greased grill pan over medium-high heat for 3–4 minutes per side, then drizzle sauce.

6. Can I Make This Ahead Of Time?

Yes—bake chicken ahead, reheat and sauce right before serving to keep it crisp.

7. Can I Air-Fry These?

Absolutely—air-fry at 400 °F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway and spraying lightly with oil.

8. What Dips Go With This?

Ranch, blue cheese dressing, or a cooling yogurt-herb dip complements the heat.

9. Can I Use Regular Honey Instead Of Infused Sauce?

Yes—drizzle plain honey for mild sweetness, or whisk some hot sauce into honey to taste.

10. Will It Be Crispy All Day?

The crust is crispiest fresh from the oven. Reheat briefly in the oven or air fryer to refresh crunch.

Conclusion

Enjoy these Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken tenders for a satisfying and flavorful dish that combines crispy crust, spicy heat, and sweet honey glaze—all in a fuss‑free bake. Great for game day, family dinners, or whenever you crave spicy-sweet comfort food.

Maggie