Hot Honey Chicken combines the irresistible crunch of crispy chicken with a sweet and spicy glaze, offering a delightful blend of flavors. This dish has gained popularity in various culinary circles, inspiring numerous interpretations.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Irresistible Crunch: Double dredging the chicken in flour and cornstarch creates an extra-crispy exterior.
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: The hot honey sauce delivers a harmonious mix of sweetness and heat, elevating each bite.
- Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy this dish as an appetizer, main course, or sandwich filling, making it suitable for various occasions.

Ingredients
- Chicken:
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Flour
- Cornstarch
- Baking powder
- Paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Buttermilk
- Hot sauce
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Hot Honey Sauce:
- Honey
- Hot sauce
- Cayenne pepper
- Smoked paprika
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Sea salt
- Unsalted butter

How to Make Hot Honey Chicken
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- In another bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce.
- Dip each piece of chicken into the buttermilk mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge in the flour mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- For extra crunch, repeat the dipping and dredging process.
- Fry the Chicken:
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully add the coated chicken pieces, cooking in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
- Fry until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per side.
- Transfer the fried chicken to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil.
- Prepare the Hot Honey Sauce:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of sea salt.
- Stir until the mixture is well combined and heated through.
- Remove from heat and whisk in unsalted butter until melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Glaze the Chicken:
- While the chicken is still warm, drizzle the hot honey sauce over each piece, ensuring an even coating.
- Alternatively, toss the chicken pieces gently in a bowl with the sauce to coat.
- Serve:
- Garnish with chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or cilantro if desired.
- Serve immediately with your choice of sides, such as coleslaw, pickles, or cornbread.
Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
Course: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes20
minutes250
kcal35
minutesGet ready for a flavor explosion with crispy fried chicken drizzled in a spicy honey sauce. This hot honey chicken combines heat, sweetness, and crunch for a perfect meal!
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper, to taste
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup buttermilk
Vegetable oil, for frying
- For the Hot Honey Sauce:
1/4 cup honey
1 tablespoon sriracha sauce (or more for extra heat)
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken:
– In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
– In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk and eggs. Dip each chicken breast into the buttermilk mixture, followed by the flour mixture, ensuring the chicken is well-coated. - Fry the chicken:
– Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. You want the oil to be hot enough for frying.
– Once the oil is hot, carefully place the chicken breasts into the skillet. Fry for 5-7 minutes per side until the chicken is golden brown and crispy.
– Remove the chicken from the skillet and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. - Make the hot honey sauce:
– In a small saucepan, combine the honey, sriracha sauce, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, and salt.
– Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the sauce is well combined and slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes. - ssemble the dish:
– Drizzle the hot honey sauce generously over the crispy chicken.
– Serve immediately with your favorite sides, like coleslaw or roasted vegetables.
Notes
- Adjust the Heat: Modify the amount of cayenne pepper and hot sauce in the glaze to suit your spice tolerance.
- Ensure Crispy Coating: Double dredging the chicken helps achieve a crunchy exterior.
- Rest After Frying: Allow the fried chicken to rest on a wire rack to maintain its crispiness.
- Serving Suggestions: This dish pairs well with cooling sides like ranch dressing, cucumber salad, or a refreshing slaw to balance the heat.
