Description
This Classic Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken delivers all the crave-worthy crisp and sweet heat of fried chicken—without the deep fryer. Juicy, tender chicken breasts are oven-baked in a buttery, crunchy panko coating, then glazed with a sticky, spicy honey sauce. Perfect for dinner, game day, or weekend indulgence.
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts, sliced into cutlets
1 cup buttermilk
2 large eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
4 tablespoons butter, melted
½ cup honey
2 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons green onions, chopped (optional)
1 teaspoon sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
1. Slice chicken breasts into even cutlets and soak in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
2. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a wire rack over a baking sheet and lightly grease it.
3. Set up three bowls: one with flour, paprika, and garlic powder; another with beaten eggs; and a third with panko breadcrumbs.
4. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, then egg, then panko. Press crumbs gently to adhere.
5. Arrange coated chicken on the rack and brush or drizzle melted butter over each piece.
6. Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through.
7. While baking, combine honey, hot sauce, and vinegar in a saucepan over low heat. Stir until blended and warm.
8. Drizzle hot honey sauce over cooked chicken and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds if desired.
9. Serve hot with sides or slice for salads, wraps, or sandwiches.
Notes
For ultra-crispy results, bake chicken on a wire rack to allow heat to circulate underneath.
The honey sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge—just warm it slightly before drizzling.
If you like extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne to the panko or increase the hot sauce in the glaze.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven-baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken cutlet
- Calories: 412
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 125mg