Start by preheating your oven to 400°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. While the oven heats, clean and pat dry the chicken breasts. Then, in a mixing bowl, drizzle olive oil over the chicken and sprinkle on the salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Toss everything until the chicken is well-coated with seasonings.

For the best flavor, make small slits across the top of each chicken breast. This allows the marinade to penetrate deeply. Set aside and, if time permits, allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes. For an even more intense flavor, you can refrigerate it for up to 3 hours or overnight.

Place the marinated chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each piece. Bake the chicken for 20 minutes, then flip each piece and bake for another 10-15 minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

While the chicken bakes, prepare the star of the recipe: hot honey sauce. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat, then add garlic and sauté until fragrant. Stir in the honey, red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Simmer the mixture, stirring until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the oven and generously brush the hot honey sauce over each piece. For extra flavor, drizzle the remainder of the sauce on top just before serving. Pair it with sides like mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.