Crispy Hot Honey Chicken (Baked or Air Fried)

This Hot Honey Chicken recipe can be made in the oven or in the Air Fryer (both directions included). A delicious combination of lean chicken meat, coated in a tasty and crispy cornflake crust, oven fried or air fried until crispy on the outside, succulent and juicy inside. Finish it with hot honey sauce for an added punch of flavor!

📝 Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless and skinless chicken breasts (about 3-4 breasts, cut into strips.)
• 6 cups cornflakes
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons water
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• Oil spray
• Hot honey for serving (about 1/3 cup)
• Chopped parsley or chives for serving (optional)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Mix coating: In a food processor, place the cornflakes, paprika, garlic powder, Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning and pulse until you have fine crumbs. Place the crumbs into a wide shallow plate (a pie plate is ideal) and set aside.
2. 2Beat: In a medium bowl, lightly beat the eggs with the water, salt and pepper.
3. 3Prep: Preheat the oven to 425ºF.
4. 4Place parchment paper on a rimmed sheet pan. Melt the butter and drizzle it or brush it onto the lined sheet pan to coat the parchment paper.
5. 5Season: Working with one chicken strip at a time, dip the chicken in the egg mixture. Allow any excess egg to drip from the chicken and then dredge in the crumb mixture pressing each strip lightly so the coating adheres to the chicken. For a thicker coating, dip the chicken into the egg and the crumbs coating for a second time before placing the chicken onto the prepared sheet pan.
6. 6Set up: Place the chicken strips on the sheet pan in a single layer, leaving some room between each strip (about 1 inch). This will help the chicken crisp up properly. Spray the top of the chicken with oil spray.
7. 7Bake for 20-30 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown, crispy and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of your chicken strips.
8. 8Serve: Remove from the oven and transfer to a serving dish. Pour hot honey over the chicken and serve, garnished with chopped parsley or chives.
9. 9--- Air Fryer Instructions: ---
10. 10Air Frying: Preheat the air fryer to 400ºF. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the coated chicken in the air fryer and lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray. Don’t overcrowd the basket. Cook for 8 minutes, then flip the chicken strips and lightly spray with cooking spray. Cook for an additional 7 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.