Step 1

Position a rack in center of oven; preheat to 450°. Place a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet. Place 1½ lb. chicken thighs on rack, then pat dry with paper towels.→ The cooling rack is crispy food's best friend

Step 2

Whisk 1 egg yolk, 3 Tbsp. mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard, 1½ tsp. salt, and several cranks of black pepper in a large bowl until smooth.

Step 3

Add chicken to bowl and turn pieces several times with tongs until evenly coated; set aside.

Step 4

Heat ½ cup oil in a medium skillet over medium. After about a minute, test oil to see if it’s hot enough by adding a pinch of panko. If tiny bubbles appear instantly around each bit of panko, you’re good to go.→ Panko is the best thing to buy at the grocery store

Step 5

Add remaining panko and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until crumbs are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Make sure to get around the edges and incorporate darker crumbs that form at the perimeter.

Step 6

Remove skillet from heat and let cool several minutes. Place skillet on work surface next to bowl of chicken and wire rack.

Step 7

Using tongs, take 1 piece of chicken at a time and place in skillet. Using 1 hand, pat surrounding toasted panko over top of thigh, pressing firmly to adhere. Turn chicken and repeat on other side with more crumbs. Lightly shake off excess crumbs. Transfer chicken to wire rack.

Step 8

Repeat with remaining chicken pieces, transferring each to rack and spacing evenly apart. Discard any remaining panko.

Step 9

Transfer sheet to oven and bake chicken until fully cooked through, juices run clear when pierced with a knife, and breadcrumbs have gone a couple of shades past golden into deep brown territory, 15–20 minutes. Let cool slightly.

Step 10

Stir 1 Tbsp. honey, a pinch of cayenne, and remaining ¼ cup mayonnaise and ¼ cup Dijon mustard in a small bowl. Season with black pepper. Stir 3 Tbsp. chives into honey mustard sauce.

Step 11

Serve honey mustard sauce alongside chicken.