Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

Mak Erot

3 min read

·

Apr 08, 2025

24

Share

Hot Honey Chicken Recipe: A Deliciously Spicy & Sweet Treat

Are you ready to tantalize your taste buds with a recipe that's both sweet and spicy? Then look no further! This Hot Honey Chicken recipe is guaranteed to become a new favorite. It's incredibly versatile, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a fun weekend gathering. This recipe combines the crispy crunch of fried chicken with the addictive sweetness and fiery kick of hot honey—a match made in culinary heaven.

What is Hot Honey?

Before we dive into the recipe, let's talk about the star of the show: hot honey. This magical condiment is a simple blend of honey and chili flakes (or other chili ingredients), offering a delightful balance of sweet and spicy flavors. It's incredibly easy to make yourself, but you can also find it readily available in most grocery stores.

Ingredients You'll Need:

This recipe makes enough for about 4 servings. You can easily adjust the quantities based on your needs.

• For the Chicken:

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • Vegetable oil, for frying

• For the Hot Honey: (If making your own, otherwise skip to the cooking instructions)

  • 1 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)

Instructions:

Preparing the Chicken:

1. In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk.
3. Add the chicken pieces to the buttermilk and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator). This helps create a crispy coating.
4. Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
5. Dredge each chicken piece in the flour mixture, ensuring it's fully coated.
6. Carefully place the chicken in the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 6-8 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Use a thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
7. Remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a wire rack to drain excess oil.

Making the Hot Honey (If Homemade):

1. In a small saucepan, combine the honey, red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper (if using).
2. Heat over low heat, stirring constantly, until the honey is warm and the chili flakes have infused the honey. This takes about 5-7 minutes. Do not boil.
3. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Serving Your Hot Honey Chicken:

1. Drizzle the hot honey generously over the fried chicken.
2. Serve immediately and enjoy! This is delicious on its own, or you can serve it with sides like coleslaw, fries, or your favorite vegetables.

Tips and Variations:

• Spice Level: Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper to control the heat level of your hot honey.
• Other Chili Ingredients: Experiment with different chili flakes or add a pinch of crushed red pepper for a different flavor profile.
• Chicken Cut: You can use chicken breasts, but thighs tend to stay more juicy during frying.
• Make Ahead: You can make the hot honey ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

This Hot Honey Chicken recipe is a crowd-pleaser that's sure to impress. The combination of crispy chicken and sweet and spicy hot honey is simply irresistible. Give it a try and let us know what you think! Enjoy!