Oven Fried Southern Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken

Nothing beats the taste of crispy fried chicken, but who has the time or patience to fry it? Oven-fried chicken comes close to the flavor of fried chicken, and it's much easier to make. But the real star of this recipe is the Southern Hot Honey sauce, which adds a sweet and spicy kick that'll make your taste buds jump for joy. This Oven Fried Southern Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken is the perfect comfort food for a busy weeknight.

Ingredients

For the Popcorn Chicken:

- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

- 2 cups buttermilk

- 2 cups all-purpose flour

- 2 tablespoons garlic powder

- 2 tablespoons onion powder

- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper

- 2 teaspoons salt

- 2 teaspoons baking powder

- 2 teaspoons dried oregano

- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

- 1 teaspoon chili powder

- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

- Vegetable oil, for greasing the baking sheet

For the Southern Hot Honey Sauce:

- 1/2 cup honey

- 1/4 cup hot sauce

- 2 tablespoons butter, melted

- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

- 1/4 teaspoon chili powder

- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

- 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and grease a baking sheet with the vegetable oil.

2. In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk and chicken pieces. Let the chicken marinate in the buttermilk for at least 15 minutes.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, ground black pepper, salt, baking powder, oregano, cayenne pepper, and chili powder. Add the chicken pieces to the flour mixture and toss until evenly coated. Place the chicken pieces on the greased baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes.

4. In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, hot sauce, melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, chili powder, ground black pepper, and salt. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and brush the chicken pieces with the honey mixture. Return the baking sheet to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes.

5. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the chicken cool for 5 minutes. Serve the chicken with the remaining honey mixture and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving size: 4

Calories: 476

Fat: 14 g

Carbohydrates: 51 g

Protein: 33 g

Sodium: 1112 mg

Fiber: 2 g

Conclusion

Oven Fried Southern Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken is the perfect weeknight meal. It’s quick and easy to make, and the sweet and spicy honey sauce adds an irresistible flavor. Not only is this dish delicious, but it’s also fairly healthy too. With just 476 calories per serving, this is a great way to enjoy a comforting meal without feeling guilty. So next time you’re looking for something tasty and simple, give this oven-fried chicken a try and you won’t be disappointed!