Crispy, oven-baked chicken coated in crunchy panko and drizzled with a sweet and spicy hot honey glaze — all made without deep frying! This Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken is bold in flavor, simple to prepare, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Ready in under an hour, it’s perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests.

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🍗 Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs (about 1.5 lbs)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1½ cups panko breadcrumbs (for extra crunch)

For the Hot Honey Sauce:

• ¼ cup honey
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for more heat)
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice (optional for tang)

Optional Garnish:

• Fresh chopped parsley
• Sesame seeds or crushed peanuts

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👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. Prep the Oven

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

2. Set Up Your Breading Station

• In one shallow dish: Combine flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
• In a second dish: Beat the eggs.
• In a third: Add the panko breadcrumbs.

3. Coat the Chicken

• Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
• Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, then egg, then panko, pressing to ensure the breadcrumbs stick.

4. Bake Until Crispy

• Place chicken on the baking sheet. Lightly spray with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil for extra crispiness.
• Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden and fully cooked (internal temp: 165°F/74°C).

5. Make the Hot Honey Glaze

While the chicken bakes, combine honey, hot sauce, butter, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan.
Heat over medium until smooth and bubbly. Add vinegar or lemon juice if you like a tangy finish.

6. Glaze & Serve

• Remove chicken from the oven and drizzle the hot honey sauce over the top.
• For more flavor, toss the chicken in the sauce until well coated.
• Garnish with parsley, sesame seeds, or crushed peanuts.

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🥗 Serving Ideas

Serve this bold, flavorful chicken with:

• Creamy mashed potatoes
• Roasted veggies
• Coleslaw
• A crisp green salad
• Or pile onto a sandwich bun for a killer chicken sandwich!

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💡 Tips & Variations

• Make it spicier: Use extra hot sauce or add cayenne to the flour mix.
• Go gluten-free: Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
• Swap proteins: This method also works great with chicken tenders or even cauliflower for a vegetarian twist.
• Make it ahead: Bread the chicken in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake.

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🍴 Recipe Summary

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Servings: 4