Quick & Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Crafting the perfect crispy hot honey chicken recipe promises a delightful culinary adventure that will spark joy in your kitchen.

Irresistible aromas will soon fill the air as golden-brown chicken pieces glisten with a sweet and spicy glaze.

Balanced flavors dance between heat and sweetness, creating a mouthwatering experience that goes beyond ordinary dinner options.

Home cooks can easily master this dish with just a few simple ingredients and some clever techniques.

Marinades infuse deep flavor while strategic cooking methods ensure maximum crunchiness.

Unexpected combinations of spices and honey elevate this chicken from mundane to extraordinary.

Come savor every bite of this game-changing recipe that will make you the star of any meal.

What Sets Hot Honey Chicken Apart

• Swap frying for a healthier baking method that delivers equally crispy and delicious chicken without the mess of deep-frying.
• Simple ingredients and straightforward steps create a mouthwatering dish packed with bold, spicy-sweet flavors that will wow everyone at the table.
• Perfect for casual weeknight dinners, game day gatherings, or weekend family meals, this recipe adapts easily to different occasions and pleases all ages.
• Easily adjust the heat level by changing the type or amount of hot sauce, making it friendly for spice lovers and those with milder taste preferences.

Ingredients for Crispy Hot Honey Chicken

• Chicken: A lean protein that serves as the star of this crispy and flavorful dish.

• Buttermilk: Tenderizes the chicken and adds a subtle tangy flavor to enhance the meat's juiciness.

• Flour, Cornstarch: Creates a light and crispy exterior that provides a crunchy texture to the chicken.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Salt, Pepper: Seasonings that add depth and robust flavor to the coating.

• Honey: Provides a sweet base for the glaze that caramelizes beautifully when baked.
• Hot Sauce: Adds a spicy kick to balance the sweetness of the honey.
• Butter: Helps to create a smooth and glossy glaze that coats the chicken.

• Parchment Paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier.
• Wire Rack: Allows hot air to circulate around the chicken, ensuring even crispiness.

How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Crisp

Step 1: Kickstart the Marinade

Grab a mixing bowl and lovingly combine chicken pieces with buttermilk.

Cover the bowl and let the chicken relax in the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour, or even better, overnight to develop deep, rich flavors.

Step 2: Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 425F (220C).

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and position a wire rack on top for perfect air circulation.

Step 3: Create the Crispy Coating

• All-purpose flour
• Cornstarch
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Rescue the chicken from its buttermilk bath, letting excess liquid drip away.

Generously coat each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring every nook and cranny is covered.

Carefully place the coated chicken on the prepared wire rack.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven.

Bake for 30-35 minutes until the chicken turns a gorgeous golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165F (75C).

Step 5: Whip Up the Spicy Honey Glaze

While the chicken bakes, create a mouthwatering glaze.

• Honey
• Hot sauce
• Melted butter

Stir until the ingredients are perfectly blended and warmed through.

Step 6: Glaze and Caramelize

Once the chicken emerges from the oven, brush each piece generously with the hot honey glaze.

Return to the oven for an additional 5-10 minutes to let the glaze set and caramelize.

Step 7: Serve and Savor

Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes, letting the juices redistribute.

Plate up and get ready to experience a flavor explosion that will make taste buds dance with joy!

Tips for the Best Sweet and Spicy Finish

• Add a splash of hot sauce or garlic to the buttermilk marinade for deeper, more complex chicken flavor that penetrates every bite.
• Pat chicken completely dry before coating to help flour mixture stick better and create an extra-crunchy exterior that stays crisp.
• Adjust hot sauce quantity in the glaze to make the dish mild or fiery based on personal heat tolerance and family preferences.
• Use a wire rack while baking allows hot air to circulate around the chicken, preventing soggy bottoms and creating uniform golden-brown crispiness.
• Prepare chicken pieces ahead and store unglazed in the refrigerator for up to two days, then quickly reheat and glaze before serving for convenient weeknight dinners.

Store and Reheat Hot Honey Chicken Properly

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Keep it in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months without losing its quality.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Place chicken on a baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for the last 3 minutes to restore crispiness.
• Reheat in 30-second intervals, rotating the piece each time. Add a splash of water to prevent dryness, but note this method might slightly compromise the crispy texture.

What to Serve with Hot Honey Chicken

• Elevate Spicy Sweetness with Wine Pairing: Choose a crisp Riesling with slight sweetness to balance the hot honey's heat and complement the chicken's rich flavors.
• Refresh with Cooling Beverage: Serve a cold wheat beer or light lager that cuts through the spicy glaze and provides a refreshing contrast to the crispy chicken.
• Create Harmonious Side Dish: Prepare a tangy coleslaw with creamy dressing to offset the chicken's spiciness and add textural complexity to the meal.
• Boost Flavor with Dipping Sauce: Whip up a quick ranch or blue cheese dressing that cools down the heat while enhancing the chicken's crispy coating and hot honey glaze.

Flavor Options for Hot Honey Chicken

• Gluten-Free Crunch: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend or almond flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains crispy texture.
• Spicy Plant-Based Option: Swap chicken with firm tofu or cauliflower florets, using same marinating and coating technique for vegetarian/vegan eaters seeking bold flavors.
• Low-Carb Keto Adaptation: Use pork rinds or crushed pork panko instead of flour for coating, creating a crispy exterior while keeping carbohydrate content minimal for ketogenic dieters.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute buttermilk with coconut milk or unsweetened almond milk, ensuring those with dairy restrictions can still enjoy a delicious crispy chicken experience.

FAQs

• What makes the buttermilk marinade important?

Buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken by breaking down proteins, making the meat more juicy and soft. It also helps the coating stick better, ensuring a crispier texture when baked.

• Can I use a different type of hot sauce?

Yes, you can substitute the hot sauce with sriracha, chili garlic sauce, or your favorite spicy sauce. Just adjust the amount based on your heat preference to create a personalized hot honey glaze.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165F (75C). This ensures the chicken is safe to eat and prevents undercooking while maintaining juiciness.

• Why use both flour and cornstarch in the coating?

Flour provides structure and flavor, while cornstarch adds extra crispiness by creating a lighter, crunchier exterior that helps the chicken achieve a golden, crisp coating when baked.

Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy hot honey chicken brings together spicy and sweet flavors in a mouthwatering Southern-inspired dish. Crunchy buttermilk-marinated chicken drizzled with fiery honey creates an irresistible meal that will satisfy your cravings and impress dinner guests.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (60 g) cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
• 1/2 cup (170 g) honey
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)

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Instructions

1. Immerse chicken pieces in buttermilk bath, ensuring complete coverage. Refrigerate for minimum 60 minutes, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply.
2. Position oven rack to middle position. Heat oven to precisely 425F, creating optimal roasting environment. Arrange wire rack over parchment-lined baking sheet for elevated cooking.
3. Construct seasoned coating by whisking together dry ingredients: flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Carefully extract chicken from buttermilk, letting excess liquid drip away. Roll each piece thoroughly in spiced flour mixture, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
4. Position coated chicken pieces on prepared wire rack. Roast for 30-35 minutes, monitoring color transformation to golden brown. Verify internal temperature reaches 165F using meat thermometer for food safety.
5. Craft glaze by gently warming honey, hot sauce, and melted butter in small saucepan over low heat. Stir consistently to create smooth, integrated mixture.
6. Remove chicken from oven, generously brush with prepared hot honey glaze. Return to oven for additional 5-10 minutes, allowing glaze to caramelize and intensify flavor profile.
7. Extract from oven, permit brief resting period. Serve immediately while maintaining crispy exterior and succulent interior.

Notes

• Marinate chicken overnight for maximum flavor absorption and tender meat texture.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches exact internal temperature without overcooking.
• Elevate chicken on wire rack during baking to allow air circulation, creating extra crispy exterior without soggy bottom.
• Adjust hot sauce quantity to personalize spice level, making recipe friendly for mild or heat-loving palates.

• Prep Time: 1 hour (or overnight)
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 540
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 28 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 115 mg