As a culinary creation, hot honey chicken surely pulls off the marriage of the sweetness of honey and the spicy kick from chili peppers in great style. This dish seems to storm the food world with its crunchy exterior and tender, juicy interior chicken, smothered in an irresistibly sweet and spicy glaze. Whether you're entertaining a family gathering, need a fresh weeknight dinner option, or just want a snack to kick it up a notch, this hot honey chicken recipe has got to please.
Ingredients for the Perfect Hot Honey Chicken
The ultimate hot honey chicken requires careful selection of ingredients, which improve flavors and textures. Here is what you will need:
For the Chicken:
1.5 lbs. Chicken Thighs, bone-in or boneless
1 cup Buttermilk
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
Vegetable oil for frying
Honey Sauce:
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons hot sauce; amount based on preferred level of heat
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
A pinch of salt
Crispy Chicken Instructions
Step 1: Marinate chicken
First, marinate the chicken thighs. In a large bowl, mix buttermilk with garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Add chicken pieces; make sure each one is nicely coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to overnight for maximum absorption.
2. Coating
In another bowl, mix together flour, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt. As flour and cornstarch make a light, crispy coat that would stick well to the chicken and provide just the right crunch.
3. Frying the Chicken
Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high until it reaches 350°F. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk marinade, dredge in the flour mixture, shaking off extra, then pressing lightly to adhere. Fry chicken in batches not overcrowding the pan for 6-8 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Internal temperature should read 165°F.
4. Make the Hot Honey Sauce
While the chicken is frying, prepare the hot honey sauce by whisking together the honey with the hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, and salt in a small saucepan over low heat just until everything is combined. Remove from heat and set aside.
5. Coat the Chicken
After frying, place the chicken on a wire rack to drain excess oil. While still warm, drizzle or brush with the hot honey sauce, making sure the chicken is well-coated with the spicy-sweet glaze.
Serving Ideas for Hot Honey Chicken
Hot honey chicken is very versatile, and its spicy-sweet nature allows it to go perfectly with many different sides. Here are a few serving ideas to help kick things up a notch for your meal:
Buttermilk Biscuits: Flaky, buttery biscuits sop up extra honey glaze to eat with the chicken.
Creamy Coleslaw: For a refreshing contrast to heat, it needs to be contrasted with cool and tangy coleslaw made of cabbage, carrots, and creamy dressing.
Cornbread: A little sweetness and crumbly texture given by Southern-style cornbread work well with spicy chicken.
Pickled Vegetables: This pairs well with pickled cucumbers or onions, helping to cut through some of that richness in fried chicken and adding more flavor.
Tips to Perfect Your Hot Honey Chicken
There are a few techniques that take it from good to great in terms of both crispiness and flavor. Among them:
Marinate Overnight: Allow the chicken to sit in buttermilk marinade for at least 2 hours but better still is overnight. That really makes sure that the chicken is tender and full of flavor.
Fry in Batches: Fry in batches to prevent overcrowding the pan. Lowering the temperature by crowding the pan will result in soggy chicken. And since you're frying in batches, each piece is going to turn perfectly crisp.
Control the Heat: You can adjust the heat of your hot honey sauce based on your liking and add as much or as little hot sauce or red pepper flakes as you like.
Healthier Alternatives for Hot Honey Chicken
Now, here are a few ways to make it healthier without giving up on flavor too much:
Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken: Give up deep-frying and cook the chicken in an air fryer. Coat marinated chicken with flour and cornstarch as usual, but light spray with oil before air frying at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Oven-Baked Hot Honey Chicken: If you want to avoid frying altogether, bake the chicken in a preheated oven at 400°F for 30-35 minutes flipping halfway through until it turns golden and crispy.
Hot Honey Chicken Variations
While traditionally made with chicken thighs, there are tons of variations that put their own spin on this dish:
Hot Honey Wings: Substitute chicken wings for thighs to make this appetizer crowd-pleaser. Fry or bake the wings in the oven until crispy and toss in the hot honey sauce.
Hot Honey Tenders: Make it kid-friendly—use chicken tenders to make this dish more manageable for that age group, with the same crispy and spicy-sweet flavor.
Spicy Hot Honey Sandwich: Place the hot honey chicken onto a soft brioche bun with pickles and slaw for a power sandwich.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Calories: 430 kcal
Protein: 27g
Fat: 20g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Sodium: 780mg
Sugar: 12g
Enjoy this bold and flavorful Hot Honey Chicken recipe! Whether fried or baked, it offers a combination of crispy texture and sweet heat that makes it a standout dish for any occasion.
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