Hot Honey Chicken

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If you’re looking for the perfect balance of sweet heat and savory crunch, Hot Honey Chicken will quickly become your go-to meal. This dish delivers a punch of flavor with every bite—crispy golden chicken drizzled with a sticky, spicy honey glaze that’s impossible to resist. It pairs beautifully with just about any side, and it’s surprisingly simple to make at home.

Whether you’re feeding a hungry crowd or just craving something bold and satisfying, this recipe ticks all the boxes. The contrast between the crunchy coating and the warm kick of hot honey creates an addictive flavor that keeps everyone coming back for more.

Why You’ll Love This Hot Honey Chicken

This chicken isn’t just another fried chicken recipe. It’s the ultimate comfort food with a twist—the sweet and spicy glaze turns it into something special. It’s fast enough for weeknights but impressive enough for guests. You can even switch up the spice level to suit your taste. Plus, it reheats beautifully, making it ideal for meal prepping.

What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are my favorite for Hot Honey Chicken. They stay juicy, are easy to bread, and cook evenly. Chicken breasts work too if you prefer white meat, just slice them into thinner cutlets for faster, more even frying.

Ingredients for the Hot Honey Chicken

This recipe uses everyday ingredients to create something that feels gourmet. Each component adds texture, flavor, or the perfect amount of heat.

• Chicken thighs
• Buttermilk
• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt & pepper
• Eggs
• Hot sauce
• Honey
• Red pepper flakes
• Apple cider vinegar
• Oil for frying

How To Make the Hot Honey Chicken

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

In a bowl, whisk together buttermilk, hot sauce, and a bit of salt. Add the chicken and marinate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for maximum tenderness and flavor.

Step 2: Bread the Chicken

In another bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, and spices. Remove the chicken from the marinade and dredge it in the flour mixture, pressing to ensure a thick, crispy coating.

Step 3: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken in batches for about 6–8 minutes per side until deeply golden and cooked through. Let them rest on a wire rack.

Step 4: Make the Hot Honey Sauce

In a small saucepan, combine honey, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, and a dash of hot sauce. Warm it up just until it starts to bubble, then remove from heat.

Step 5: Glaze and Serve

Drizzle the hot honey sauce generously over the fried chicken or serve it on the side for dipping. Serve immediately for the crispiest texture.

Serving and Storing Hot Honey Chicken

This recipe serves four people generously. For the crispiest experience, serve the chicken fresh with the hot honey sauce just before eating. If you have leftovers, store the chicken and sauce separately in airtight containers. Reheat the chicken in the oven at 375°F to bring back its crispy texture and warm the honey sauce gently before serving.

What to Serve With Hot Honey Chicken?

Classic Buttermilk Biscuits

Fluffy, buttery biscuits are perfect for soaking up extra hot honey.

Creamy Mac and Cheese

The rich, cheesy pasta balances out the spicy glaze.

Southern-Style Coleslaw

Crunchy and tangy, it cuts through the richness beautifully.

Cajun Potato Soup

Warm and hearty, this soup is great alongside spicy chicken. Try my version here

Cornbread with Jalapeños

A sweet-spicy side that mirrors the flavor profile of the chicken.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Adds a little green and crunch to your plate.

Garlic Butter Green Beans

Simple, fresh, and full of garlicky flavor.

Creamy Corn Dip

It’s a hit with crispy chicken and makes for a great appetizer. Here’s the recipe

Want More Chicken Dinner Ideas?

If you love this Hot Honey Chicken, you might fall for these other flavor-packed chicken favorites:

• Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes for a cozy one-pan comfort meal.
• Copycat Longhorn Parmesan Chicken when you want restaurant flavor at home.
• Crispy Buttered Ranch Chicken for that herby crunch.
• Sweet Baby Ray’s Crockpot Chicken if you’re after a fix-it-and-forget-it dish.
• Lemon Garlic Chicken Parmesan Linguine for a citrusy, cheesy pasta twist.

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📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can make it whenever the craving strikes.

Let me know how you made your Hot Honey Chicken. Did you go for thighs or breasts? Extra spicy or mellow sweet? Share your tips below!

Explore more weeknight favorites and cozy classics on Zoe Recipes on Pinterest

Conclusion

Hot Honey Chicken is a crave-worthy blend of sweet, spicy, and savory that brings serious flavor to your dinner table. It’s quick to pull together, easy to customize, and perfect for sharing with the people you love. Once you try it, you’ll find yourself coming back to it time and time again.

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