Are You Searching for the Best and Easiest Crispy and Soft Inside Oven-Baked Honey Chicken Recipe?
You’ve come to the right place. In today’s post, we’re sharing with you a beginner-friendly recipe for oven-baked chicken with honey. That’s sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.
The result?A crispy exterior with a soft, juicy, and absolutely mouthwatering interior that makes every bite a true delight.
This versatile dish is perfect for any time of the day:
- Breakfast: Use it in a hearty sandwich.
- Lunch: Pair it with rice and veggies for a balanced meal.
- Dinner: Enjoy it as a healthy option with a fresh salad.
Why Is Oven Baked Chicken with Honey the Perfect Recipe?
1: Healthy Option:
This dish is a nutritious powerhouse, packed with protein and essential nutrients. It’s perfect for those avoiding extra fats in their meals. Whether you’re trying to lose weight, working on your fitness goals, or simply focusing on a healthy eating lifestyle.
What’s great about this recipe is you don’t need to use any added fat to bake the chicken. All you need is your oven and a few simple seasonings to create a delicious, healthy dish.
2: Simple Ingredients.:
This recipe keeps it easy with just a few essentials: chicken, honey, salt, half a lemon, and three seasonings. You can even swap out or customize the seasonings to suit your taste. It’s the easiest way to achieve soft, tender, and delicious oven-baked chicken.
3: Quick Preparation
With only 5 minutes of prep time, this recipe is a gold winner. Simply marinate the chicken and pop it into the oven. No need to let it sit overnight or refrigerate for hours. It’s as simple as that 🙂
4: Meal Prep Made Easy:
This oven-baked honey chicken is perfect for meal prep, especially when you’re short on time. You can prepare it in advance and store it in a ziplock bag in the freezer. or an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
It’s an excellent option for those busy days. Or the days you don´t want simply to cook. when you need a quick and healthy meal without spending much time in the kitchen.
5: Oven One-Pan Preparation:
With this recipe, your kitchen and dishes stay clean. When baking the chicken, all you need is a baking tray and a bowl for mixing the marinade ingredients. That’s it, no extra pans or clutter. Who doesn’t love a clean kitchen and a delicious, soft, tender, and hassle-free meal?
6:Perfect for Hosting or Family Gatherings.:
If you’re hosting friends or cooking a cozy dinner for your family. This healthy baked honey chicken will be a golden winner on the table. It’s easy, delicious, tender, and sure to impress. Best of all, it only takes 5 minutes to prepare. And while the oven does the work, you can focus on preparing other dishes. It’s the perfect way to enjoy cooking and a stress-free and flavorful meal with your loved ones.
Oven Baked Chicken with Honey Ingredients
# Chicken
Chicken is the star of this recipe. You can use frozen chicken, drumsticks, or chicken breasts. Just keep in mind that cooking times will vary depending on the type. If you’re using frozen chicken, ensure it’s completely defrosted before cooking for the best results.
# Tomato Paste
Tomato paste adds color to the chicken and helps enhance the flavor, making it tender and delicious.
# Honey
Honey provides a sweet taste that complements the chicken. While also helping to tenderize the meat and giving it a beautiful golden-brown color.
# Lemon
Lemon balances the flavors by adding a touch of acidity. Which makes the chicken even more delightful and flavorful.
# Salt
Salt is the queen of seasonings. Without it, the dish can feel bland, so don’t forget to add enough to bring out all the flavors.
# Seasoning
Paprika, oregano, and onion powder are the key seasonings in this recipe, but feel free to get creative! You can substitute or add any other spices you love to personalize the flavor.
Step by Step: How to Bake Oven Chicken?
Prepare The Ingredients:
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
If you’re using frozen chicken, make sure it is completely defrosted.
You’ll need: Tomato paste, honey, half a lemon, paprika powder, oregano powder, garlic powder, and salt.
Mix the Marinade.:
In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients.: tomato paste, honey, paprika powder, garlic powder, oregano powder, salt, and the juice of half a lemon.
and mix the ingredients very well.
Prepare and Bake the Chicken.:
Place the chicken on a baking tray lined with aluminum foil or a baking sheet. and generously coat it with the marinade.
Cover the chicken with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then, remove the cover and bake for an additional 20 minutes to achieve a golden, crispy finish.
Final Baking Chicken:
After baking the chicken for 60 minutes both covered and uncovered.
You’ll have perfectly cooked chicken legs with a crispy outside and a soft, juicy inside. A healthy and delicious dish to savor
What to Serve with Baked Chicken
- For a Healthy Breakfast.:
Enjoy the chicken as a sandwich using whole wheat bread or sourdough bread. paired with a side of fresh fruits for a balanced start to your day. - For a Healthy Lunch
Serve the chicken with rice, quinoa, and tomato sauce for a well-rounded and nutritious meal. It’s a perfect combination of protein, carbs, and flavor. - For a Healthy Snack
Create a quick chicken wrap for a high-protein snack. It’s a convenient and healthy option when you’re on the go. - For a Healthy Dinner
Pair the baked chicken with a big salad dressed in olive oil for healthy fats. It’s a light yet satisfying dinner option.
Crispy and Soft Inside Oven Baked Chicken with Honey
Baked chicken legs with honey are a healthy alternative. Cooked in the oven until the skin is crispy and the inside is soft and juicy.
This versatile recipe can be enjoyed at any time of the day and pairs perfectly with almost anything. Whether served as an appetizer, main dish, or snack, it’s incredibly easy to make and absolutely delicious.
Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed!
Prep time is: 5 minutes
Cooking time:50 minutes
Serving: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 6 Chicken Legs
For Marinade You Need:
- 200 g Tomato Paste
- 1.5 Table Spoon of Honey
- 1/2 Lemon Juice
- 1 tablespoon of paprika
- 1 tablespoon of garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
Instruction:
# Step one: Prepare the Chicken
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. If you’re using frozen chicken, make sure it’s fully defrosted, as marinating frozen chicken is not effective. For the best results, If possible let the chicken come to room temperature before marinating.
Additionally, make gentle, small slices in the chicken skin. This step is important because it allows the marinade to penetrate the skin and meat. Making the chicken incredibly soft and juicy on the inside.
3: In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients: tomato paste, honey, garlic powder, oregano, paprika powder, and salt.
Mix thoroughly with a spoon until everything is well combined, making sure the salt is completely dissolved. This will create a smooth and flavorful marinade that’s perfect for coating your chicken.
Hint: Feel free to add any extra seasonings you love, or substitute them to suit your taste. The most important part is to enjoy the dish you’re making
4:Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Then, place the chicken in a large bowl and pour the marinade over it. Gently massage the marinade into the chicken, ensuring it is generously coated. Make sure the marinade seeps into the small slices you made earlier for maximum flavor.
# Step two: Bake The Chicken
5: Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray it with nonstick cooking spray. Alternatively, you can use a baking sheet.
6:Place the chicken legs on the aluminum-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Ensuring there is enough space between each piece. This allows the heat to circulate evenly and ensures the chicken cooks smoothly and evenly.
7: Cover the chicken with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. This helps the chicken retain its moisture and tenderness.
After 30 minutes, uncover the chicken and bake for an additional 20 minutes. This step will crisp up the skin while keeping the chicken juicy and tender inside.
This step is crucial as it allows you to control the level of crispiness and softness of your chicken. depending on your preference.
