Craving that perfect balance of sweet heat? Imagine sinking your teeth into crispy, golden-brown chicken, each bite bursting with a luscious, sticky honey glaze that’s been kicked up a notch with a fiery touch of chili – that’s Hot Honey Chicken! It’s the flavor explosion you didn’t know you needed, and I promise, with this recipe, you’ll be creating restaurant-worthy deliciousness right in your own kitchen.
The Star Players: Ingredients for Hot Honey Chicken
Chicken Prep:
- 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 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Hot Honey Glaze:
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1-2 tablespoons sriracha sauce (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional Garnishes:
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions
Getting Started: Preparing the Chicken
- Prep the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels. This helps the breading adhere better and ensures a crispier result.
- Dry Mix: In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Egg Wash: In another shallow dish, beat the eggs.
- Breadcrumbs: In a third shallow dish, place the panko breadcrumbs.
Breading Like a Pro: Achieving Maximum Crispiness
- Breading Process: Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then, dip it in the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat it thoroughly with the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to help them stick.
- Pro Tip: Double dipping! For an extra crispy coating, dip the breaded chicken back into the egg wash and then back into the panko breadcrumbs. This creates a thicker, more satisfying crust.
Frying to Perfection: The Golden Rule of Hot Honey Chicken
- Heat the Oil: Pour enough vegetable oil into a large skillet or pot to reach a depth of about 1 inch. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). A candy thermometer is your best friend here!
- Frying in Batches: Carefully place the breaded chicken pieces into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the skillet. Overcrowding lowers the oil temperature and results in soggy chicken.
- Golden Brown Goodness: Fry the chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Drain Excess Oil: Remove the fried chicken from the skillet and place it on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. This is key for maintaining that crispy texture!
Crafting the Hot Honey Magic: The Glaze
- Melt the Butter: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the honey, apple cider vinegar, sriracha sauce, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and salt to the saucepan.
- Simmer and Thicken: Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the glaze thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes. Be careful not to burn the honey!
- Spice It Up (or Down): Taste the glaze and adjust the amount of sriracha and red pepper flakes to your desired level of spiciness.
Bringing It All Together: Glazing and Serving
- Glaze the Chicken: Add the fried chicken to the saucepan with the hot honey glaze. Toss to coat each piece evenly.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the Hot Honey Chicken immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Hot Honey Chicken Ever
The Secret to Crispy Chicken
As mentioned before, patting the chicken dry is crucial. Also, don’t skip the wire rack after frying – it allows air to circulate and prevents the chicken from getting soggy.
Spice Level Control
Start with a small amount of sriracha and red pepper flakes and gradually add more until you reach your desired spice level. Remember, you can always add more, but you can’t take it away!
Glaze Consistency
The glaze should be thick enough to coat the chicken but not so thick that it becomes sticky and clumpy. If it’s too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time until you reach the desired consistency.
Make it Ahead
While this dish is best served fresh, you can prepare the chicken ahead of time. Fry the chicken and store it in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat the chicken in the oven or air fryer until crispy, then toss it in the fresh hot honey glaze. Do not glaze the chicken ahead of time, as it will lose its crispness.
Serving Suggestions: What to Serve with Your Hot Honey Chicken
Hot Honey Chicken is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are a few of my favorites:
- Rice: Plain white rice, brown rice, or even Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls are perfect for soaking up that delicious hot honey glaze.
- Vegetables: Steamed broccoli, roasted Brussels sprouts, or a simple green salad provide a healthy and refreshing contrast to the richness of the chicken.
- Coleslaw: A creamy coleslaw adds a cool and tangy element to the meal.
- Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are pure comfort food and complement the sweet and spicy flavors perfectly.
Variations: Putting Your Own Spin on Hot Honey Chicken
Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich
Transform your Hot Honey Chicken into a mouthwatering sandwich by serving it on a toasted brioche bun with coleslaw and pickles. You can even use the chicken to make a Chicken Buns recipe!
Hot Honey Chicken and Waffles
For a sweet and savory brunch treat, serve your Hot Honey Chicken over a stack of crispy waffles. Drizzle with extra hot honey glaze and a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
Hot Honey Chicken Salad
Chop the Hot Honey Chicken and toss it with mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and a tangy vinaigrette dressing for a delicious and flavorful salad.
More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love!
If you’re a fan of chicken, here are a few more recipes that I think you’ll enjoy:
- Honey Garlic Chicken: A classic combination of sweet honey and savory garlic.
- Sweet Baby Ray’s Chicken: This recipe is perfect for those who love a tangy and slightly sweet BBQ flavor.
- Bang Bang Chicken Bowl: Another spicy chicken recipe that’s packed with flavor.
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This!
Making Hot Honey Chicken at home might seem intimidating, but with this recipe and my tips, you’ll be a pro in no time! Don’t be afraid to experiment with the spice levels and add your own personal touch. Now go ahead, grab your apron, and get ready to create a dish that will impress your family and friends! Happy cooking!
What is the key to making the chicken extra crispy?
Patting the chicken dry before breading, using panko breadcrumbs, and using a wire rack to drain excess oil after frying are all crucial for achieving maximum crispiness. Double dipping the chicken in the egg wash and breadcrumbs can also help.
How can I adjust the spice level of the hot honey glaze?
Adjust the amount of sriracha sauce and red pepper flakes in the glaze. Start with a small amount and gradually add more until you reach your desired spice level.
Can I prepare the Hot Honey Chicken ahead of time?
Yes, you can fry the chicken ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. Reheat it in the oven or air fryer until crispy before tossing it in the fresh hot honey glaze. Do not glaze the chicken ahead of time, as it will lose its crispness.
What are some good side dishes to serve with Hot Honey Chicken?
The recipe suggests rice, steamed broccoli, roasted Brussels sprouts, coleslaw, or mashed potatoes as excellent side dishes for Hot Honey Chicken.
Hot Honey Chicken
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- In another shallow dish, beat the eggs.
- In a third shallow dish, place the panko breadcrumbs.
- Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated.
- Dip the chicken in the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off.
- Coat the chicken thoroughly with the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to help them stick.
- For an extra crispy coating, dip the breaded chicken back into the egg wash and then back into the panko breadcrumbs.
- Pour enough vegetable oil into a large skillet or pot to reach a depth of about 1 inch.
- Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully place the breaded chicken pieces into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the skillet.
- Fry the chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the fried chicken from the skillet and place it on a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the honey, apple cider vinegar, sriracha sauce, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and salt to the saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly, until the glaze thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
- Taste the glaze and adjust the amount of sriracha and red pepper flakes to your desired level of spiciness.
- Add the fried chicken to the saucepan with the hot honey glaze.
- Toss to coat each piece evenly.
- Serve the Hot Honey Chicken immediately, garnished with sesame seeds and chopped green onions, if desired.
