Ah, yes! Extra Crispy Honey Baked Chicken—crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, with a sweet-savory honey glaze. I can give you a recipe that works in the oven (so no deep-frying needed) and really maximizes crispiness.
Extra Crispy Honey Baked Chicken
Ingredients:
- 2–3 lbs chicken pieces (legs, thighs, or wings work best)
- 1 cup buttermilk (for marinating)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika (smoked paprika if you like)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour (for coating)
- 1–2 tbsp cornstarch (helps crispiness)
- Cooking spray or a little oil
For the honey glaze:
- ¼ cup honey
- 1–2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp soy sauce (optional, for depth)
- Pinch of cayenne or chili powder (optional, for heat)
Instructions:
- Marinate the chicken:
- Mix buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a bowl.
- Add chicken pieces and coat well.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1–2 hours (or overnight for best flavor).
- Prepare coating:
- In a shallow bowl, mix flour and cornstarch.
- Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off, then dredge in the flour mixture. Press lightly so it sticks.
- Bake the chicken:
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Place chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet (helps crispiness).
- Spray lightly with cooking spray or drizzle a little oil.
- Bake 35–45 minutes (depending on size) until golden and crispy.
- Make the honey glaze:
- In a small saucepan, combine honey, melted butter, soy sauce, and cayenne. Warm slightly until runny.
- Glaze the chicken:
- Brush the glaze over the chicken for the last 5–10 minutes of baking.
- Optional: add a final brush after removing from oven for extra shine and flavor.
- Serve:
- Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving. Extra crispy and sweet-salty perfection!
💡 Tips for Maximum Crispiness:
- Baking on a wire rack lets hot air circulate and keeps the bottom from getting soggy.
- Cornstarch in the flour mix is the secret to that ultra-crispy crust.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan—space out chicken pieces.
If you want, I can also give a version with a sticky honey garlic sauce that makes it taste even closer to restaurant-style honey baked chicken.
Do you want that version too?
