Crispy Southern Hot Honey Fried Chicken

• CHICKEN:
• 2 lbs. organic chicken, skins on or off (Drumsticks, Wings, + Thigh pieces work great!)
• 2 tsps sea salt, divided
• 2 tsps black pepper, divided
• 2 tsps smoked paprika, divided
• 2 tsps garlic powder, divided
• 2 tsps dried thyme, divided
• 2 tsps dried parsley, divided
• 2 tsps dried basil, divided
• ½ cup organic all-purpose flour
• 2 cups breadcrumbs (You can make your own Seasoned Toasted Panko Bread Crumbs)
• 2 cups cornflakes, crushed
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup Almond milk, unsweetened (You can also use Whole milk or heavy cream instead)
• 2 Tbsps hot honey
• SAUCE:
• 6 Tbsps unsalted butter
• ½ cup hot honey
• 2 tsps cayenne pepper (Reduce this to 1 teaspoon for less spicy flavor)
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Pinch of sea salt

1. Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and prep a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper and a wire rack (this helps both sides to crisp up nicely).
2. MARINATE THE CHICKEN:
3. In a large bowl, add your freshly cleaned + rinsed chicken along with hot honey, 1 teaspoon each: salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, thyme, parsley, and basil, mixing everything together until chicken is fully coated. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. NOTE: Chicken is best when marinated 1-2 days before and refrigerated.
4. DUST IN FLOUR:
5. Add the flour to a plate or ziplock bag. Pat dry chicken and dust each piece of chicken in the flour, shaking off any excess.
6. TO MAKE THE COATING:
7. In a bowl, add the crushed corn flakes, breadcrumbs, and 1 teaspoon each: salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, thyme, parsley, and basil, mixing everything together until combined. In a separate bowl, add the eggs and milk and whisk together until smooth and combined.
8. Now, dip each piece of flour dusted chicken into the egg-milk mixture (shaking off any excess) and then add it into the coating mixture, moving it around on each side until well coated. Then lay each chicken, side by side onto the baking sheet (about an inch apart). Repeat until all chicken is coated.
9. Lightly brush or spray tops of chicken with olive oil or cooking spray and bake them for 30-35 minutes or until chicken has fully cooked through.
10. TO MAKE THE SAUCE:
11. In a medium 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat, add the butter and let it melt. Next, add the hot honey, cayenne peppers, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt, stirring everything together until sauce becomes smooth and thick.
12. One the chicken has baked through, remove from oven and spoon sauce unto each piece of chicken.
13. To serve, enjoy chicken with your favorite side dish.
14. Bon Appetit!