Crispy Baked Chicken with Hot Honey Glaze Sweet, Spicy, and Irresistibly Crunchy!

Golden crispy baked chicken drumsticks arranged on a white plate, showcasing a crunchy coating and golden-brown texture under a bright orange banner reading “Crispy Baked Chicken.

Perfectly golden and irresistibly crunchy, this crispy baked chicken is baked to perfection for a healthier twist on classic fried chicken.

There’s nothing quite like crispy oven-baked chicken smothered in a sticky-sweet hot honey sauce. This recipe delivers perfectly crunchy chicken with a kick of heat balanced by golden honey~ all without deep-frying! Serve it with coleslaw, roasted veggies, or fluffy mashed potatoes for a crowd-pleasing meal.

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 1 hour
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients:

For the Chicken:

- 3 lbs (1.4 kg) bone-in chicken pieces (thighs, drumsticks, wings)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp milk (or buttermilk)
- 2 tsp mustard powder
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 cups breadcrumbs ( for extra crunch)
- Cooking oil spray (olive oil)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tsp hot sauce (RedHot)
- (Optional: 1 tbsp melted butter for glossier sauce)

Instructions:

1. Prep the Chicken

- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and place a wire rack on top. Lightly grease the rack.
- Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper.

2. Make the Breading Station

- Egg Wash: Whisk eggs, milk, mustard powder, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes in a shallow bowl.
- Breadcrumbs: Place breadcrumbs in a separate shallow dish. Season with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper.

3. Bread the Chicken

- Dip each chicken piece in the egg wash, letting excess drip off.
- Dredge in breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere. Place on the wire rack.
- Lightly spray both sides of chicken with oil (this ensures maximum crispiness!).

4. Bake

- Bake for 35-45 minutes, flipping halfway, until chicken is golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). For extra crunch, broil 1-2 minutes at the end (watch closely!).

5. Make the Hot Honey Sauce:

- While chicken bakes, warm honey and hot sauce in a small saucepan over low heat until combined (1-2 mins).

Optional: Stir in melted butter for richness.
- Remove from heat. Sauce will thicken as it cools.

6. Glaze & Serve:

- Brush hot honey sauce generously over baked chicken right before serving.
- Garnish with extra red pepper flakes or chopped parsley. Serve immediately!

Tips for Success:

- Extra Crispy? Use breadcrumbs and avoid overcrowding the baking rack.
- Heat Level: Adjust hot sauce or add cayenne to the breadcrumbs for more kick.
- No Wire Rack? Bake directly on a greased sheet, flipping halfway.
- Air Fryer Option: Cook at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 mins, flipping once.
- Make it a Meal: Pair with roasted sweet potatoes, garlic green beans, or a cool cucumber salad.