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Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 62 reviews

This Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken breasts coated in a spicy-sweet hot honey sauce. The chicken is first seasoned and scored for deeper flavor infusion, then baked to golden perfection. Pared with a buttery, garlicky hot honey glaze featuring cayenne, chili powder, and smoked paprika, this dish balances heat and sweetness beautifully. Ideal for an easy yet flavorful weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 2 lbs. organic chicken breasts
  • 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tsps On Everything All-Purpose Blend
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1 tsp sea salt

Hot Honey Sauce

  • 6 Tbsps unsalted butter
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup organic raw honey
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

  1. Prep + Season Chicken: In a large bowl, add cleaned and rinsed chicken breasts, olive oil, sea salt, On Everything All-Purpose Blend, and smoked paprika. Mix thoroughly until each chicken breast is evenly coated with the seasonings.
  2. Score the Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken breasts on a cutting board and make small slit-like cuts across the top of each breast approximately 1 inch apart. This allows the flavors to penetrate deeper.
  3. Marinate (Optional but Recommended): For best results, place the seasoned chicken in a sealed ziplock bag and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight. Before cooking, bring the chicken to room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
  4. Prepare Hot Honey Sauce: Heat a medium 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Melt the butter, then add the minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the honey, cayenne pepper, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of sea salt until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
  5. Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
  6. Arrange Chicken and Add Sauce: Place the seasoned chicken breasts side-by-side on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each. Spoon half of the hot honey sauce over each chicken breast, coating them generously.
  7. Bake the Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown, crispy on the outside, and cooked through (internal temperature reaching 165°F / 74°C).
  8. Finish and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest briefly. Spoon the remaining hot honey sauce over the chicken. Serve warm with your choice of sides like salad, pasta, or rice.
  9. Enjoy! Savor the perfect balance of sweet and spicy in this irresistible baked chicken dish.

Notes

  • Scoring the chicken helps the marinade and sauce penetrate, enhancing flavor.
  • Marinating overnight intensifies the taste, but a minimum of 3 hours works well.
  • Adjust cayenne and red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
  • Check chicken doneness with a meat thermometer for best results.
  • Butter and honey add richness and caramelization to the sauce.
  • Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
  • Leftover sauce can be refrigerated and reheated gently.

Keywords: hot honey chicken, baked chicken breasts, spicy honey chicken, easy chicken dinner, sweet and spicy chicken

Find it online: https://annakocht.com/hot-honey-baked-chicken-breasts-recipe/