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This Oven Fried Chicken is a slightly healthier, and much easier, take on the famous Nashville Hot Chicken. Breaded in corn flakes, oven baked, and finished with a beyond perfect sweet and spicy honey butter sauce, this is a chicken dinner that’s sure to be loved by all!
So you guys, those sentences up there above this first photo? I know, they’re so cheesy, but let me explain some things about the food blogging world that others might not tell you. There’s this thing called SEO, and then there are your Google rankings. I will not get into details about what these really mean, because if I’m being honest, I’m still trying to figure them out in full myself.
Basically, all you need to know is that there is a certain way Google would like me to write out my blog post every single day. Yes, Google ranks how I write my blog, and yes, it’s annoying. So, why do I even care what Google thinks you ask? Well, it’s simple, I really want to share my recipes with as many of you as possible. I work so hard to create new and exciting recipes day in and out, and I want anyone who might be interested in finding them to see them.
When you search in Google, it’s Google who decides what shows up front and center. And you know how you get on Google’s good side? You listen to them, and write your blog post in a very straight forward, kind of boring, and impersonal way. It’s not that cool, and that’s just the truth.
What does all this mean? Well, it just means that sometimes I have to write some cheesy things within the post to stay on Google’s good side. Google would also prefer I limit my story telling. As you might guess, I’m not going to do that. I think one of the things that makes HBH unique is my stories, and how they connect to my recipes. I don’t want to lose that just because Google says I should.
Over the years I’ve learned that you just have to be YOU, and stick to what works for YOU. So I’m listening to Google to a point, but at the same time, I’m sticking with my own personal style. It’s all about balance, right?
I certainly think so…obviously.
Alright, my ranting is now done. Let’s chat about this chicken.
You guys might not know this, but I actually find cooking chicken to be a little boring, so when I do cook with chicken, I have to make sure it’s extra flavorful and delicious. Kind of like the way I do up my salads.
When my brother, Creighton was in town last week, I knew I needed a good chicken recipe to serve him. The man loves himself some fried chicken, so I thought I would throw him a curve ball and turn one of his favorite greasy foods into a healthier recipe that he’d love all the same.
Enter this southern fried hot honey chicken.
I swear, this is just as good as fried chicken. Bold, but it’s true.
The key is to soak the chicken in a little buttermilk before breading. The buttermilk tenderizes the chicken while adding flavor at the same time. From here, you’ll bread the chicken in crushed corn flakes seasoned with herbs, and then oven bake. It’s pretty simple and straight forward.
The flavor is all in the hot honey sauce. Oh this sauce, it’s genuinely just so good.
The sauce was inspired by the famous Nashville Hot Chicken. It’s spicy, but balanced with a touch of sweetness. The classic way to add sweetness to this spicy sauce is with brown sugar, but you guys know I prefer using honey whenever I get the chance, so I made a few swaps and came out with one of my favorite sauces to date.
As soon as the chicken comes out of the oven, brush the hot honey over the warm chicken and allow it to soak into the crunchy coating. Then eat.
It. Is. SO. GOOD.
And I swear, you can’t even tell it’s not fried.
When I finally had the chicken perfected, I sent the leftovers home with my brother knowing he’d love them. Thing is, you can’t trust brothers to do anything because the chicken somehow managed to get burnt in the oven while re-heating. Either he burned it or my dad did, the stories are unclear, but either way, no one got any of this delicious chicken…well at least not the way it was intended to be eaten.
YES. Totally serious. My family everyone. I love um, but man they cannot cook.
Oh well, bottom line is that this chicken is delicious and you really need to give it a try. Today, tomorrow, this weekend, or maybe even this summer. This chicken would be perfect for warm picnics and summer parties.
Or how about all of the above?
If you make this Oven Fried Chicken and love it, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love, love, love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every one of you. Oh, and of course, if you do make this chicken, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram so I can see! I love looking at the photos of recipes you all have made. It makes my day!
Watch the How To Video:
Oven Fried Southern Hot Honey Chicken
Servings: 6 servings
Calories Per Serving: 651 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs (you can use skin on or off, but I used skin off)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 3 cups finely crushed corn flakes
- 3 tablespoons whole wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
- extra virgin olive oil, for brushing
Hot Honey
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2-3 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- kosher salt
Instructions
- 1. Add the chicken to a gallon size zip top bag. Pour the buttermilk and salt over the chicken. Toss well, cover and refrigerate 20 minutes or overnight.2. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.3. Add the corn flake crumbs, flour, thyme, and a pinch of salt to a medium sized bowl. Stir to combine.4. Remove each piece of chicken from the buttermilk, and dredge through the crumbs, pressing gently to adhere. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until all the chicken has been used. Make sure not to crowd your pan, if necessary use two baking sheets. Lightly brush the chicken with olive oil. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, then flip the chicken over and continue cooking another 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. If using thighs, you may need to cook the chicken a little longer 5. Meanwhile, make the hot honey. Melt together the butter, honey, cayenne, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. 5. Brush or drizzle the chicken generously with hot honey and serve warm Enjoy!
Sounds good to me.
This post was originally published on May 2, 2018
Do you think this would work well with bone-in chicken thighs? And how long would you say to bake them for? Looks delicious!!
I am sure that will be great! I would cook 20 minutes longer to ensure they are cooked through. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
I made it! You weren’t kidding with the “hot” part. It’s blow your head off spicy, but also totally delicious. Next time I may lighten up on the cayenne pepper if only to avoid needing a fire extinguisher for my esophagus. Thanks for your inspiring recipes ❤️
Haha so sorry Karen! But I am so glad you loved this! Thank you!
Please include the Nutritional Information!
Hi Amy! I am so sorry I do not provide it. There are many apps and websites that will calculate the nutritional info for you, though! Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Sounds yummy cant wait to try it. My daughter & hubby have a foodtruck and serve a naahville hot chicken sandwich.
I am a home cook and this sounds delicious.
Thank you!
And the strawberry bourbon shortcake!!!yum
YUM!! That sandwich sounds so good! I hope you love this recipe and the strawberry bourbon shortcake! Thank you Nancy!
There’s no such thing as Oven Fried Chicken.
Oh. My. God. I’m dying to try this recipe out, but unfortunately I’m in the middle of a move and won’t have my own kitchen until one more month. As soon as I do, this will be the first recipe I make. Will report back 🙂
I am so glad you like this Sara and I hope you love it when you try it! Also, totally hope your move is going well!!
This looks AWESOME – I’m just wondering – how spicy is this? I realize it’s sort of subjective, but I don’t typically cook with cayenne. Think it’d be too wimpy if I started off with just a single teaspoon to test the waters?
Thanks for sharing and in advance for the answer!
HI! I would start with 1 teaspoon, that will be perfect!! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Would this work if I used panko breadcrumbs instead of cornflakes?
I am sure panko would be fine. Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
First time reader, bc, as you can guess, it showed up in my feed too! Looks good, I would have liked to see more reviews from people who have tried out the recipe, though. But it looks like you’re blog has gained a bunch of new readers as of this morning, so I’ll have to try it and comment myself. Thank you!
Hi Kerry! I hope you love this recipe! Let me know how it turns out for you ?
Looks yummy! The opening sentences are also what appear on Pinterest when you pin the recipe. Having the description is a good thing!
Thank you Mary!
MAKING THIS TONIGHT! Any suggestions on good sides?
I would do a side of rice or potatoes, corn would be amazing. As would a big salad! I have plenty of sides on the site. Linked below! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
https://fett-weg.today/category/recipes/type-of-meal/side-dishesvegetables/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Ugh preach it girl! I am not a big food blogger like you and Google/SEO makes me want to scream into my pillow on a daily basis! Im glad you understand the pain! lol
But I LOVE Nashville Style Chicken and I absolutely adore using natural sweeteners like honey any day as a swap!
Thank you so much Amanda! I hope you love this recipe!
I’m actually an SEO specialist and found your blog through a general Google search (been following it for a while now I just love everything!) So if you ever want a quick crash course on SEO and how to make site improvements I’d be happy to help! Your food blog is one of my absolute favourites!
Btw. making this recipe this weekend, looks amazing.
Hi Emma! Thank you so much, I hope you love this recipe!
Could you send me an email with more information? Thank you!
What can you sub for buttermilk if you’re dairy free? Culinary coconut milk? Thanks!
Yes, I think coconut milk or any other nut milk will be great! Please let me know if you have other questions. Hope you love this recipe! Thanks! 🙂
Wow!! This looks delicious. I have been craving some good fried chicken lately, so I cannot wait to make this. The sauce is making my mouth water..lol. I’m excited to create this recipe in my kitchen. Thanks!!
Thank you! I hope you absolutely love this recipe Joshua!