Description
Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts – Tender chicken infused with a kick of spice and sweet honey. A simple, flavorful weeknight meal that’s always a hit in my kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Ingredients:
- 4 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup hot honey
- Flavor Boosters:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Finishing Touches:
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Prep the Oven and Pan:: First things first, let’s get that oven ready. Preheat it to 400°F (200°C). While it’s warming up, grab a baking dish – a 9×13 inch usually works for me – and line it with parchment paper. Trust me on the parchment paper; it makes clean-up a breeze, especially with that sticky hot honey. I learned this the hard way after a particularly stubborn caramelization incident, so don’t be like me and skip this step!
- Season the Chicken Right:: Next, pat your chicken breasts super dry with paper towels. This is a small step but makes a huge difference for that lovely browning. Lay them in your prepared baking dish. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Drizzle this mixture over the chicken, making sure to rub it all over. Get your hands in there if you need to; I always find it’s the best way to ensure every bit of chicken gets some love.
- The Hot Honey Glaze:: Now for the star of our Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts! Pour that glorious hot honey all over the seasoned chicken. Don’t be shy! Use a spoon or a brush to spread it evenly, making sure each piece is thoroughly coated. You want that sweet, spicy goodness to seep into every crevice. It’s going to look a little messy, but that’s part of the fun, right? The smell starts to get really good about now.
- Bake to Golden Perfection:: Pop the baking dish into your preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes. This is where the magic happens! The hot honey will caramelize, and the chicken will turn that beautiful golden-brown color. I always start checking around the 20-minute mark because oven temperatures can be quirky. You want the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken to reach 165°F (74°C).
- Rest and Glaze Again:: Once the chicken is cooked through, take it out of the oven. This next part is important for juicy Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts: let the chicken rest in the baking dish for about 5 minutes. While it’s resting, spoon some of that luscious, caramelized hot honey sauce from the bottom of the dish over the chicken. It just re-coats everything with even more flavor. This is a trick I picked up after realizing how much flavor was left behind!
- Serve and Garnish:: Finally, transfer your gorgeous Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts to serving plates. If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle with some fresh chopped parsley. The aroma at this point is just incredible – sweet, smoky, and a little spicy! Serve it up with your favorite sides and watch everyone dig in. It’s truly a simple dish that packs a huge flavor punch.