Print

Hot Honey Chicken

Hot Honey Chicken
Print Recipe

Hot Honey Chicken is a delicious dish that perfectly balances sweet, spicy, and crispy elements. It combines golden fried chicken with a luscious honey glaze infused with chili heat, creating a flavorful meal that can be enjoyed as a snack, main dish, or appetizer. This easy recipe uses simple ingredients and techniques to deliver juicy, crispy chicken coated with a sweet and spicy sauce, customizable to your preferred heat level.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil, for high smoke point)

Marinade

  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

Hot Honey Sauce

  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1–2 tsp chili flakes or fresh chili (adjust to desired spice level)
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken and cut into even pieces if necessary. Pat dry with paper towels to help the coating adhere well.
  2. Marinate in Buttermilk: Submerge the chicken in buttermilk seasoned with a pinch of salt and pepper. Refrigerate and let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for best tenderness and flavor.
  3. Coat with Flour Mixture: In a shallow dish, combine flour, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Dredge each chicken piece in the flour mixture, making sure it is fully coated. Shake off any excess flour.
  4. Fry Until Golden: Heat oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat to about 350°F (175°C). Fry the chicken in batches, cooking each side for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Drain fried chicken on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  5. Prepare the Hot Honey Sauce: While frying, gently warm the honey in a small saucepan. Add chili flakes and garlic powder, stirring until the flavors infuse. Remove from heat once combined.
  6. Toss and Serve: Drizzle or toss the hot fried chicken pieces in the warm honey sauce. Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect balance of crispy texture and flavorful glaze.

Notes

  • Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and better breading adherence.
  • Fry chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding, which helps keep oil temperature steady and chicken crispy.
  • For a smoother honey sauce, strain out the chili flakes before serving.
  • Maintain oil temperature around 350°F (175°C) using a thermometer to avoid greasy chicken.
  • Let fried chicken rest for a few minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute and the crust to stay crisp.

Nutrition

Keywords: Hot Honey Chicken, spicy honey chicken, crispy fried chicken, sweet and spicy chicken, honey glaze chicken, homemade hot honey chicken

Find it online: https://sophiemelody.com/hot-honey-chicken/