Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons water
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Hot Honey Glaze:

½ cup honey
2-3 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to your spice preference)
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for extra heat)

Instructions

Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
Prepare the Breading Station:

In one shallow bowl, mix the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
In a second shallow bowl, whisk the eggs and water together.
In a third bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
Bread the Chicken:

Dredge each chicken piece in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
Dip it into the egg mixture, allowing any excess to drip off.
Coat it well with the panko and Parmesan mixture, pressing lightly to ensure the crumbs adhere to the chicken.
Bake the Chicken:

Place the breaded chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Prepare the Hot Honey Glaze:

While the chicken is baking, make the hot honey glaze.
In a small saucepan, heat the honey, hot sauce, butter, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes (if using) over medium heat.
Stir until the butter is melted and the ingredients are well combined, then remove from heat.
Coat the Chicken:

Once the chicken is done baking, remove it from the oven.
Drizzle or brush the hot honey glaze generously over each piece of chicken while it’s still hot.
Serve:

Serve your Baked Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken with a side of rice, vegetables, or a fresh salad.
Drizzle extra hot honey glaze on top for an extra kick, if desired.
Enjoy!