Savor the irresistible flavors of my Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts. These juicy, tender chicken breasts are perfectly seasoned and glazed with a homemade sweet and spicy hot honey sauce, boasting a delightful garlicky undertone that’s truly mouthwatering. It’s the perfect dish for a delicious weeknight dinner to share with family and friends.
The spiciness delivers just the right amount of kick, and with its relatively quick cooking time, this easy chicken recipe is a lifesaver for those hectic weeknight dinners. The sticky sauce bursts with flavor, making it a love-at-first-bite experience you won’t forget! It’s packed with protein that adds both depth to your dishes and nutritional goodness. So, if you’re looking to keep things uncomplicated yet delectably wholesome, this hot honey chicken has got you covered!
What Is Hot Honey Chicken?
If you haven’t heard of hot honey chicken–prepare to be blown away. This mouthwatering dish is a symphony of sweet and spicy flavors paired with tender chicken. Its outer flavor and juicy interior are straight-up DELICIOUS. The true superstar is the hot honey sauce. Crafted with a medley of spices, chili, honey, and a generous helping of buttery goodness, it’s a sauce that elevates this dish to a whole new level! So, if you love spicy chicken + a little sticky sweetness you will love this!
How To Make Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts
When it comes to crafting the perfect hot honey chicken, there are three essential steps to follow:
- First, it all starts with prepping + seasoning the chicken. For an explosion of flavors, I highly recommend marinating the chicken for a good 3 hours. This step sets the stage for a mouthwatering dish.
- The heart of this recipe – is the homemade hot honey sauce (more on how to make that soon). This is where the magic happens, and the flavors truly come to life.
- Finally, drizzle this irresistible hot honey mixture over your marinated chicken + pop it into the oven. That’s when the real transformation occurs, and your chicken bakes to sticky, delicious perfection.
Ingredients For The Best Hot Honey Chicken
CHICKEN:
- Chicken breasts: The star of the show!
- Extra virgin olive oil: Used to coat the chicken for cooking and adds a rich, fruity flavor while preventing the chicken from sticking to the pan.
- Sea salt + Pepper: Enhances the overall flavor of the chicken.
- Smoked paprika: Gives a smoky, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor to the chicken.
- Garlic powder: Adds a savory and aromatic element.
- Dried thyme: Provides an earthy, herbal flavor to the dish.
- Red pepper flakes: Introduces a hint of spiciness to the chicken, balancing the sweetness of the sauce.
HOMEMADE HOT HONEY SAUCE:
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and a creamy texture to the sauce.
- Garlic cloves: Bring a pungent and aromatic quality to the sauce.
- Organic raw honey: The primary sweetener for the sauce, contributing a natural sweetness. (Alternatively, you can use Mike’s Hot Honey for a premade version)
- Cayenne pepper: Adds a spicy kick to the sauce.
- Smoked paprika: Enhances the smoky flavor in the sauce.
- Red pepper flakes: Provide additional heat and a touch of spiciness.
- Garlic powder: Intensifies the garlic flavor in the sauce.
- Chili powder: Adds a chili flavor with a bit of heat to the sauce.
- Sea salt: Balances the sauce.
How To Make Homemade Hot Honey Sauce?
Heat a medium 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Melt the butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant (about 1-2 minutes). Add honey, cayenne pepper, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt. Stir until the sauce becomes smooth and thick. Remove from heat, and you’re left with a delicious homemade hot honey sauce. Enjoy!
Why You Will LOVE This Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
- It’s a flavor explosion— Smoky, herby, sweet + downright addictive!
- Tender melt-in-your-mouth chicken
- A great addition to weeknight meals + laidback weekend dinners.
- Perfect for meal prepping!
- Super customizable + protein-packed!
- Did I mention, it’s just delicious? Both kids + adults approve!
Can I Make This Hot Honey Chicken Less Spicy?
Absolutely– if you’re not a fan of spice or if you’re preparing this chicken for little ones who prefer milder flavors, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. You can easily adjust or omit the spicy ingredients like cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, and chili powder to make it perfect for everyone at the table.
How To Know If Your Chicken Is Fully Cooked?
Ever wondered how long to bake chicken breasts at 400°? To know when your chicken breasts are fully cooked at 400° here are some tips –
- Time: Bake chicken breasts at 400°F for around 30-35 minutes. Don’t forget to flip halfway through!
- Color and Juices: Cut into the thickest part of the chicken. If the juices run clear and the meat is opaque with no pinkness, it’s likely cooked.
- Temperature: For certainty, use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should read 165°F (75°C) at the thickest part of the breast.
- Resting: After cooking, let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes. This helps keep the juices inside for a tastier result.
What Can I Use Hot Honey Chicken Breasts For?
The possibilities are endless with this hot honey chicken recipe, here are a few ideas-
- Pasta dishes: Slice or shred the chicken and mix it into your favorite pasta dish. The sweet and spicy flavors can be a great addition to creamy pasta dishes like a Creamy Chicken Alfredo
- Potatoes. It goes beautifully with mashed potatoes or potato salad
- Burgers: Elevate your burger game by layering tender shreds onto your favorite buns, complemented by toppings and sauces.
- Sandwiches: Create mouthwatering sandwiches by adding chicken to wraps, subs, or paninis for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
- Pizza toppings: Sprinkle it over pizza along with your preferred ingredients, and watch your pizza come to life with a burst of savory goodness.
- Salads: Turn salads into hearty meals by tossing in shredded chicken. It adds protein and a satisfying dimension to your greens.
- Buddha bowls: Assemble nourishing Buddha bowls with a base of grains, greens, basmati or brown rice then layer on colorful vegetables, grains, and your chicken for a complete, balanced meal!
More Favorite Chicken Recipes
If you thoroughly enjoyed this Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts recipe, don’t forget to add these delicious creations to your “must-make” list.
Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken
Original Recipe from: Orchids and Sweet Tea
Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts
Equipment
Ingredients
CHICKEN:
- 2 lbs. organic chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
HOMEMADE HOT HONEY SAUCE:
- 6 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup organic raw honey
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
PREP + SEASON CHICKEN:
- In a large bowl, add your freshly cleaned + rinsed chicken along with olive oil + seasonings: salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, thyme, + red pepper flakes, mixing everything together until chicken is fully coated.
- Placing seasoned chicken breasts unto a clean cutting board, cut little “slit-like” cuts atop each breast, about 1-inch or so apart. Repeat until all chicken breasts are cut with this design.
- NOTE: Best when marinated for a while! To do so: Add coated chicken to a securely sealed Ziplock bag and place in the refrigerator for 3 hours (minimum). Best if marinaded overnight. When ready to use, let chicken sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before cooking.
TO MAKE THE HOT HONEY SAUCE:
- In a medium 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat, add the butter and let it melt. Add in the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Next, add the honey, cayenne peppers, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and salt, stirring everything together until sauce becomes smooth and thick. Remove from heat.
BAKE THE CHICKEN:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. You can also make these in a skillet, if desired.
- Line seasoned chicken breast (side by side) unto prepared baking sheet (or skillet), leaving a bit of room in between each one. Spoon half the amount of hot honey sauce unto each chicken breast. Save remaining sauce for later!
- Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and crispy on the outside and fully cooked through on the inside.
- Remove from oven and let them cool slightly. Spoon on remaining hot honey sauce and serve with your favorite side of salad, pasta, basmati rice, brown rice, etc.
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
STORAGE:
- Place any leftover ingredients in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply add chicken to a baking sheet and bake for a few minutes until completely warmed through. Drizzle with additional hot honey, if needed.
MAKE AHEAD:
- All ingredients can be made and individually stored as meal prep (up to 2 days prior) and assembled when ready to serve. Be sure to store seasoning mixture in a nicely sealed zip loc bag, kept at room temp.
SPICES/HERBS:
- If desired, you can reduce the amount of seasoning used slightly. Please know that this recipe is bold in flavor, so feel free to adjust based on your tastebuds.
CHICKEN PIECES:
- I love using chicken breasts for this recipe; however, you can also do this with chicken tenderloins, thighs, and drumsticks.
HOT HONEY:
- For the best store-bought option, I highly recommend Mike’s Hot Honey!
