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An extreme close-up of a piece of crispy baked chicken with hot honey sauce, showcasing the texture of the skin.

Baked Hot Honey Chicken (The Crispiest, Juiciest Recipe!)

This Baked Hot Honey Chicken features ultra-crispy skin and juicy meat, all tossed in an addictive sweet and spicy glaze. An easy, oven-baked recipe that's perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner everyone will love.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 580
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
For the Hot Honey Sauce
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup hot sauce e.g., Frank's RedHot
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 2 cloves minced garlic

Equipment

  • 1 Baking sheet
  • 1 Small saucepan
  • 2 Mixing Bowls

Instructions
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, combine the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. In a large bowl, toss the dry chicken thighs with olive oil, then sprinkle the seasoning mix over them, rubbing it evenly into all sides.
  3. Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs on the prepared baking sheet, skin-side up and not overcrowded. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is golden brown and crispy (internal temperature should reach 165°F or 74°C).
  4. While the chicken bakes, make the sauce. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the honey, hot sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat.
  5. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Gently toss the chicken in the hot honey sauce until evenly coated. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don't Skip the Drying Step: This is the number one rule for crispy skin. Pat those thighs dry!
Adjust the Spice Level: Feel free to increase or decrease the amount of hot sauce to suit your personal preference.
Sauce at the End: Only apply the sauce after the chicken is fully cooked to prevent the honey from burning.
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