Description
Spicy meets sweet in this irresistible Hot Honey Baked Chicken Breasts recipe that promises a flavor explosion on your dinner plate. Juicy chicken breasts glazed with zesty honey and a kick of heat will make you crave this simple yet mouthwatering dish that brings restaurant-quality comfort right to your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Marinade and Seasoning:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) hot honey
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) soy sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Garnish:
- 1/4 cup (15 grams) fresh herbs (parsley or cilantro), chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Create a vibrant marinade by whisking together hot honey, olive oil, minced garlic, soy sauce, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Arrange chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish and thoroughly coat with the marinade, ensuring each piece is evenly covered. Allow to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerate for deeper flavor infusion.
- Place the marinated chicken in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring internal temperature until it reaches 165°F for safe and juicy results.
- During the final 5 minutes, activate the broiler to caramelize the surface, watching carefully to prevent burning and enhance flavor complexity.
- Remove chicken from oven and let rest for 3-4 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and maintain moisture.
- Drizzle remaining pan juices over the chicken and garnish with fresh chopped herbs for a vibrant, aromatic finish before serving.
Notes
- Create a non-stick surface by thoroughly greasing the baking dish with olive oil or using parchment paper to prevent chicken from sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper quantity, allowing people with different spice tolerances to enjoy the dish without overwhelming their palate.
- Marinate chicken overnight in the refrigerator for deeper flavor penetration and more tender meat texture, transforming a good recipe into an exceptional culinary experience.
- Transform this recipe into a gluten-free option by replacing soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, ensuring those with dietary restrictions can still savor the delicious hot honey chicken.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg