Description
Sizzling honey glazed chicken promises a delightful dance of flavors that blend sweet and spicy notes perfectly. Crispy, caramelized edges and juicy meat invite hungry diners to savor this mouthwatering culinary adventure you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) chicken breasts
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1.5 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- Pinch of sea salt
Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup honey
- 4 garlic cloves (minced)
Instructions
- Create a zesty marinade by blending chicken breasts with olive oil, seasonings including smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried thyme, and red pepper flakes, ensuring complete coverage.
- Score shallow diagonal cuts across chicken breasts to enhance marinade absorption and flavor penetration.
- Refrigerate chicken in a sealed container for minimum 3 hours, allowing seasonings to infuse deeply. Remove from refrigerator 15 minutes before cooking to normalize temperature.
- Craft a luxurious glaze by melting butter in a skillet, incorporating minced garlic and sautéing until aromatic, approximately 1-2 minutes.
- Develop a complex honey sauce by whisking together honey, cayenne, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, additional spices, creating a smooth, vibrant mixture.
- Heat oven to 400°F and prepare a parchment-lined baking sheet for optimal chicken roasting.
- Position marinated chicken breasts with adequate spacing, generously coating with half the prepared honey glaze.
- Roast for 30-35 minutes until exterior turns golden and crispy, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Allow chicken to rest briefly, then embellish with remaining spicy-sweet glaze just before serving for maximum flavor impact.
Notes
- Marinate chicken overnight to maximize flavor absorption and tenderness, allowing spices and seasonings to deeply penetrate the meat.
- Create diagonal shallow cuts across chicken breasts to help marinade seep into deeper layers, ensuring each bite is perfectly seasoned.
- Adjust spice levels by reducing or increasing red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper according to personal heat tolerance, making the dish adaptable for different palates.
- For gluten-free version, verify all spice powders are certified gluten-free and use alternative butter like coconut oil or olive oil to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 426 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 727 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 106 mg