You guys! I’m so happy I’m finally sharing this recipe. This is the very same buffalo chicken recipe I’ve been making for my family for so many years. I think I made the first variation when I was 14. And now, here I am, however many years later, still making the same buffalo chicken. My sauce has always been my best-kept secret, but I finally nailed the chicken coating last year, and now I feel as though I really do have our perfect caked, crunchy, spicy buffalo chicken. And it’s just in time for all the playoff NFL games – and then, of course, the Super Bowl too. We’re excited! When I first started to cook for my family, I started with the basics. Pasta, stir fry, tacos, chicken and rice. When we moved to Colorado and I had even more time to play in the kitchen, I started making baked buffalo chicken bites. Back in Ohio, we’d order buffalo wings from BW3’s every so often. The boys especially loved their spicy wings. I wanted to recreate the meal for everyone, so I did just that. Only I skipped frying the wings. I’ve always baked the chicken. It took some time to get the breading just right, but the sauce has been the same for years. It has just the right amount of spicy-salty flavor. It’s pretty perfect. When I felt like I nailed the chicken coating last January (it’s the same coating used for my Hot Honey Chicken), I pocketed the recipe to save for before the Super Bowl. The time is here to share – wahoo!
Every Single Detail
Step 1: The coating Cornflakes are the star. They give the chicken that perfect crunch. I’ve tested other cereals, but everyone in the family agrees, cornflakes have the best taste and crunch. I use Nature’s Path, Organic Corn Flakes Cereal, which is naturally gluten-free and non-GMO. I order mine online. Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s have good options if you’re looking for something in-store. And, of course, you can always use a box of the traditional cornflakes that we all grew up with. I just prefer the organic, no gluten, no sugar option. Crunch up the cornflakes in a food processor with paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder. Then add the parmesan cheese. I use the cheese in place of flour, it adds a salty flavor that melts over the chicken becoming crispy as it bakes. Step 2: coat the chicken Dredge the chicken through eggs beaten together with hot sauce and then dredge through the crumbs. For a thicker coating, you can dip each piece of chicken back through the eggs and the crumbs for a second time. This takes slightly longer, but the thicker coating is always delish. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil before baking. This helps the coating get crisp in the oven. Line the chicken up on a pan, then bake. I don’t do anything fancy, just bake for 25 minutes, and this chicken comes out perfect every time. You could also do this in the air fryer. Totally no fuss. Step 3: the buffalo sauce Now the sauce. First the hot sauce, Franks red hot, is my favorite. Add some salty butter, then a couple of teaspoons of seasoned salt, and a pinch of black pepper. I also add a small amount of chipotle chili powder . Melt this all together on the stove until just combined. Then, turn the heat off and mix in the honey. The honey makes this buffalo sauce so special. It gives it the lightest bit of sweetness. Pour the sauce over the baked, crispy chicken. What happens is that the coating soaks up all the sauce. As Oslo says, yummy! I love to serve these with home fries on game day. Then I usually serve these with rice any other night of the week. Oh, and some broccoli on the side is so yummy too! Or just some carrots and celery for dipping in extra sauce. Delish! Looking for more recipes? Here are a few to try: Sheet Pan Buffalo Chicken Pizza Spinach and Artichoke Stuffed Soft Pretzels Fried Buffalo Goat Cheese Balls Baked Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls with Cilantro Lime Ranch Buffalo Cauliflower with Spicy Tahini Ranch Crispy Parmesan Crusted Buffalo Potatoes Lastly, if you make this Baked Crunchy Honey Buffalo Chicken, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And, of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
