Welcome to my kitchen! Today, we’re making Hot Honey Chicken, a dish that’s become a family favorite for its perfect balance of sweet and spicy. My kids absolutely love it!
This recipe transforms simple chicken into a flavor-packed sensation, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering. It’s a real crowd-pleaser. Get ready to experience a delightful culinary adventure!
Why This Hot Honey Chicken Recipe is a Keeper
This Hot Honey Chicken recipe stands out because it’s quick, easy, and customizable. It’s way better than takeout.
We use simple ingredients, readily available in your pantry, to create a dish that’s both comforting and exciting. Plus, I’ll share tips on adjusting the spice level to suit everyone’s taste buds. You might even find it easier than making easy sloppy joes on a busy weeknight!
What You’ll Need: Ingredients for Hot Honey Chicken
Let’s gather our ingredients! This recipe is all about simple flavors that come together to create something amazing. Here’s what you’ll need to make the best Hot Honey Chicken.
For the Chicken
- 1. 5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces (or chicken breasts)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
For the Hot Honey Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup hot sauce (I love using Frank’s RedHot!)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Step-by-Step: Making the Best Hot Honey Chicken
Alright, let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps to create mouthwatering Hot Honey Chicken that your family will adore. I promise, it’s easier than it looks!
Preparing the Chicken
- First, cut your chicken thighs (or breasts) into bite-sized pieces, about 1-inch each.
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. This is your flavorful coating!
- Toss the chicken pieces in the flour mixture, making sure they’re fully coated. This helps them get nice and crispy.
Cooking the Chicken
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. You want the oil hot enough to sizzle.
- Add the chicken to the skillet in a single layer, being careful not to overcrowd it. Cook in batches if needed.
- Cook for about 5-7 minutes per side, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). According to Healthline, ensuring chicken reaches this temperature is crucial for food safety.
- Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
Making the Hot Honey Sauce
- While the chicken is cooking, it’s time to whip up that delicious hot honey sauce.
- In a small saucepan, combine the honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly. Let it simmer for about 3-5 minutes, until it thickens slightly. Be careful not to burn it! Perhaps you’d like a refreshing drink while you cook, like this Carrot Juice Recipe?
Combining Chicken and Sauce
- Now for the best part! Add the cooked chicken to the saucepan with the hot honey sauce.
- Toss the chicken to coat it evenly in the sticky, sweet, and spicy sauce. Make sure every piece is glistening!
- Serve immediately. You can garnish with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or sesame seeds for extra flavor and visual appeal. Enjoy your amazing Hot Honey Chicken!
Tips & Variations: Customize Your Hot Honey Chicken
The beauty of this Hot Honey Chicken recipe is that it’s super versatile! Feel free to tweak it to make it your own. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Spice It Up (or Down)
- For extra heat: Add more red pepper flakes to the sauce, or use a hotter variety of hot sauce like habanero or ghost pepper. A pinch of cayenne pepper works wonders too!
- For milder flavor: Reduce the amount of hot sauce, or use a milder hot sauce like sriracha. You can also omit the red pepper flakes altogether for a sweeter, less spicy dish.
Different Cooking Methods
- Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the coated chicken on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cooked through. Then, toss with the hot honey sauce.
- Air Fryer: Air frying is a super easy method! Air fry the coated chicken at 380°F (190°C) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy. Then, toss with the sauce. If you’re looking for other quick and easy dinners, try this 4-Ingredient Potato Soup, it is a family favorite!
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
- Classic Sides: Serve your Hot Honey Chicken with white rice, brown rice, or mashed potatoes. The sauce is amazing drizzled over the sides.
- Veggie Power: Add some steamed broccoli, green beans, or a fresh salad for a balanced meal.
- Sweet & Savory: Try serving it with cornbread or sweet potato fries for a delicious contrast.
Make it Gluten-Free
- Flour Swap: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. I like using a blend that includes rice flour and tapioca starch.
- Sauce Check: Most hot sauces are naturally gluten-free, but it’s always a good idea to check the label to be sure.
- Tamari: If you want to add a bit of umami to your sauce, use tamari instead of soy sauce (which often contains gluten).
Serving and Storing Your Hot Honey Chicken
You’ve made a delicious batch of Hot Honey Chicken! Now, let’s make sure it looks and tastes its best, whether you’re serving it right away or saving some for later. Sometimes I make extra to use in a buffalo chicken salad recipe the next day.
Plating and Presentation
- Garnish is Key: Sprinkle some sesame seeds, chopped green onions, or extra red pepper flakes on top for a pop of color and flavor.
- Sauce Drizzle: Drizzle a little extra hot honey sauce over the top for a glossy finish and an extra kick.
- Neat and Tidy: Arrange the chicken nicely on the plate, making sure it’s not overcrowded.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store leftover Hot Honey Chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, freeze the chicken in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Reheating Tips
- Skillet: Reheat the chicken in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth to prevent it from drying out.
- Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave: While not ideal, you can reheat the chicken in the microwave. Cover it with a damp paper towel to help retain moisture. Be careful not to overheat it!
FAQ
Got questions about Hot Honey Chicken? I’ve got answers! Here are some common questions I get asked about this delicious dish. You might even have some of the same questions I had when I first learned how to cook fried squash!
What is hot honey chicken?
Hot Honey Chicken is a flavor explosion! It’s essentially chicken that’s been coated in a sauce made with honey and hot sauce. This combination creates a fantastic balance of sweetness from the honey and a fiery kick from the hot sauce. It’s a popular dish because it’s both comforting and exciting for your taste buds.
What is honey hot sauce made of?
Honey hot sauce is a simple yet incredibly versatile condiment. At its core, it’s made from honey and hot sauce! But often, you’ll find other ingredients added for extra flavor, such as apple cider vinegar for tanginess and spices like garlic powder or red pepper flakes to deepen the flavor profile.
What are the 4 ingredients in honey chicken?
A super basic honey chicken recipe often includes just four key ingredients: chicken, honey, soy sauce, and cornstarch (or another thickening agent). However, our Hot Honey Chicken is a step above! While it shares the honey and chicken, it adds a spicy kick and more complex flavors for a truly unforgettable meal.
How to make Nashville hot honey?
To make a Nashville-style hot honey, you’ll need to infuse your honey with some serious heat and smoky flavor! Start with honey, then add cayenne pepper (lots of it!), brown sugar for a touch of molasses flavor, paprika for smokiness, and garlic powder. Simmer it gently to let the flavors meld together. It’s a fantastic way to add a Nashville hot twist to your Hot Honey Chicken!
Why You’ll Love This Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
This Hot Honey Chicken recipe is a winner for so many reasons! It’s incredibly easy to make, bursting with amazing sweet and spicy flavor, and totally customizable to your liking. Serious Eats also has delicious chicken recipes if you’re looking for more inspiration. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight dinner or a weekend gathering, this dish is sure to impress. Trust me, once you try this Hot Honey Chicken, it’ll become a regular on your meal rotation. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that even my picky kids love!
Hot Honey Chicken: A Sweet and Spicy Delight
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 1-inch pieces (or chicken breasts)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup hot sauce Frank’s RedHot recommended
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes adjust to spice preference
Instructions
- Cut chicken thighs into 1-inch pieces.
- In a bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Toss chicken in flour mixture until fully coated.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add chicken to skillet in a single layer. Cook 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (165°F/74°C).
- Remove cooked chicken and set aside on a plate lined with paper towels.
- In a small saucepan, combine honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder.
- Bring sauce to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until thickened.
- Add cooked chicken to saucepan with hot honey sauce.
- Toss chicken to coat evenly in the sauce. Serve immediately.