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Hot Honey Chicken

Hot Honey Chicken
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Hot Honey Chicken combines tender, juicy chicken coated in a crispy crust and finished with a sticky, sweet, and spicy honey glaze. This easy-to-make dish perfectly balances sweet heat with crunchy texture, making it ideal for quick dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Coating

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for gluten-free option)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs or panko (use gluten-free breadcrumbs if needed)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Hot Honey Sauce

  • ½ cup honey (regular or infused varieties like orange blossom or wildflower)
  • 1–2 tbsp hot sauce or ½ tsp chili flakes (adjust to heat preference)

For Frying

  • Vegetable oil or avocado oil, enough for frying (about 1-2 inches in a skillet)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken pieces and pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels. Season each piece generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika to create a flavorful base.
  2. Set Up the Breading Stations: In one bowl, whisk the eggs until combined. In another bowl, mix the flour, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Dip each chicken piece first into the egg wash, then dredge it carefully through the flour and breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to form an even, thick coating.
  3. Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable or avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350-375°F. Carefully add the coated chicken pieces without overcrowding the pan. Fry each side for approximately 4-5 minutes or until the coating turns golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. Remove and drain on a wire rack to keep the crust crispy.
  4. Make the Hot Honey Sauce: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the honey with your chosen hot sauce or chili flakes. Warm gently, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is fully combined and has a slightly runny but sticky consistency, perfect for drizzling.
  5. Drizzle and Serve: Place the crispy chicken pieces on a serving plate and generously drizzle with the warm hot honey sauce. Garnish with fresh herbs like chopped cilantro or green onions and toasted sesame seeds if desired. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Dry the chicken thoroughly before breading to help the coating stick and crisp up perfectly.
  • Use panko breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy texture compared to regular breadcrumbs.
  • Adjust the amount of hot sauce or chili flakes in the honey glaze to suit your preferred spice level.
  • Maintain oil temperature between 350-375°F while frying to avoid greasy or undercooked chicken.
  • Rest fried chicken on a wire rack instead of paper towels to keep the crust crispy.

Nutrition

Keywords: Hot Honey Chicken, Spicy Honey Chicken, Crispy Chicken, Sweet and Spicy Chicken, Easy Chicken Recipe

Find it online: https://jamescookes.com/hot-honey-chicken/