Hot Honey Chicken Recipe (with Video)

Hot Honey Chicken Recipe: Let’s talk about a dish that perfectly balances heat and sweetness in every single bite – hot honey chicken. This mouthwatering recipe has taken the food world by storm. From food trucks to fancy restaurants, it’s popping up on menus everywhere. Why? Because it delivers that irresistible combo of crispy, juicy chicken coated in a sticky, spicy honey glaze that dances on your tongue.

The beauty of hot honey chicken is that it’s incredibly versatile. Craving a late-night snack? It’s ready in minutes. Hosting a dinner party? Your guests will ask for seconds (and the recipe). Want a cozy weekend meal? Pair it with mashed potatoes or waffles, and you’ve got comfort food perfection.

This step-by-step guide will walk you through everything—from prepping your chicken to crafting that glorious hot honey glaze. Whether you’re a kitchen newbie or a seasoned home chef, you’ll be able to whip this up like a pro.

Ingredients Needed

Before diving into the cooking process, let’s get our ingredients in order. Great recipes start with great ingredients. And this one? It’s no exception.

Chicken Preparation

• 1.5 to 2 lbs chicken (boneless thighs or breasts, cut into chunks or strips)
• 1 cup buttermilk (for marinating)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup cornstarch (extra crispiness)
• 1 egg (optional for coating)
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

Buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken while keeping it juicy. The flour and cornstarch combo? That’s your golden ticket to extra crunch.

Hot Honey Sauce Essentials

• ½ cup honey
• 1 ½ tbsp hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot, sriracha, or your favorite)
• ½ tsp chili flakes (optional, for more heat)
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (for balance)
• 1 tbsp butter (for richness)
• Pinch of salt

The hot honey sauce is the heart of this dish. You want it sweet, spicy, and slightly tangy—it clings to the chicken like a warm hug.

Optional Garnishes and Sides

• Fresh chopped parsley (for color)
• Sliced pickles (for a tangy bite)
• Buttermilk waffles, coleslaw, or fries (ideal pairings)

Equipment You’ll Need

Kitchen Tools Checklist

To get the job done smoothly and efficiently, gather these kitchen tools:

• Large mixing bowls (for marinating and dredging)
• Deep frying pan or Dutch oven (for frying)
• Tongs or slotted spoon
• Wire rack with a baking sheet underneath (for draining oil)
• Small saucepan (for the hot honey)
• Whisk (to mix your sauce perfectly)
• Meat thermometer (optional but helpful)

Having your tools prepped and ready saves time and ensures a safer, cleaner cooking experience. No one wants to be rummaging through drawers mid-fry.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s where the real magic begins. Follow each step carefully for the most tender, crispy, saucy hot honey chicken.

Step 1 – Preparing the Chicken

First things first—marinate your chicken. This step is often skipped, but trust me, it makes all the difference.

1. Cut your chicken into even pieces. This ensures everything cooks at the same rate.
2. In a bowl, mix buttermilk with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Drop your chicken in, stir, and cover.
3. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, but ideally a few hours in the fridge. The longer it soaks, the better the flavor and tenderness.

Once marinated, get your coating ready. Combine flour, cornstarch, and a little extra seasoning in another bowl. You can dip each chicken piece into an egg before dredging if you want an extra-thick crust. Make sure every inch of chicken is fully coated—press it into the flour mix for that flaky, craggy crust we all love.

Let the coated chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before frying. This helps the coating stick better and results in less mess in the oil.

Step 2 – Making the Hot Honey Sauce

While your chicken rests, it’s time to whip up the soul of the dish—the hot honey sauce.

1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Add in the honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and chili flakes. Whisk it all together.
3. Let it simmer gently for 3-5 minutes until it slightly thickens.
4. Taste and adjust the spice level. Want it hotter? Add more chili flakes or hot sauce.

This sauce is highly customizable, so feel free to tweak it to your liking. Just be sure not to burn the honey—low and slow is the way to go.

Step 3 – Cooking the Chicken

Now, for the main event.

1. Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). A thermometer helps, but if you don’t have one, test by dropping a bit of flour in the oil—it should sizzle immediately.
2. Carefully add the chicken pieces in batches. Don’t overcrowd the pan; that drops the oil temperature and makes the chicken soggy.
3. Fry each piece for about 6-8 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
4. Remove with tongs and place on a wire rack to drain. This keeps the chicken crispy, unlike using paper towels, which trap steam.

Safety Tip: Always handle hot oil with care. Keep kids and pets away from the stove while frying.

Step 4 – Tossing Chicken in Hot Honey Sauce

Now that your chicken is golden, crispy, and resting, it’s time to bring everything together. This step is where your kitchen smells like absolute heaven, and the real flavor explosion begins.

1. Transfer the fried chicken into a large mixing bowl.
2. Drizzle the warm hot honey sauce over the chicken. Don’t skimp—go for full coverage.
3. Use tongs or a spoon to gently toss and coat each piece evenly in the sticky sauce.
4. If you’re serving guests, plate the chicken immediately so it retains its crispiness.

You’ll notice the sauce clings beautifully to the textured coating, giving you that perfect sweet heat in every bite. The hot honey glistens, and the aroma alone is enough to make mouths water.

Want even more flavor? Reserve a little extra sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling right before serving. That extra gloss takes presentation and taste up a notch.

Step 5 – Serving Suggestions

Hot honey chicken is delicious on its own, but why stop there? Pair it right, and you’ve got yourself a complete meal that rivals any restaurant offering.

Here are some serving ideas to elevate your hot honey chicken experience:

Classic Comfort

• Serve over buttermilk waffles for a Southern-inspired dish.
• Add a side of creamy coleslaw for crunch and contrast.
• Pair with cornbread and mashed potatoes for an old-fashioned plate of comfort.

Fresh & Light

• Lay the chicken on a bed of arugula or baby spinach tossed with lemon vinaigrette.
• Serve in lettuce wraps for a low-carb twist.
• Try it with a fresh cucumber salad or pickled onions to balance the heat.

Handheld Heaven

• Pile into a toasted brioche bun with pickles and a dollop of mayo.
• Use in tacos with shredded cabbage and lime crema.
• Slice and add to wraps or sandwiches with crunchy veggies.

Top it all off with a sprinkle of chopped parsley or green onions for a pop of color, and maybe even a few sesame seeds if you’re feeling fancy.

Tips for Crispy and Juicy Chicken

Nailing that perfect bite—crispy outside, juicy inside—is all about technique. Here are some battle-tested tips to ensure your hot honey chicken is restaurant-quality every single time.

1. Marinate, Don’t Skip It

The buttermilk soak tenderizes the meat and adds flavor deep into the chicken. Even 30 minutes makes a difference. Overnight? Even better.

2. Use Cornstarch in the Coating

Cornstarch lightens up the flour mix and gives the chicken that craggly, shatteringly crisp crust you get at great fried chicken joints.

3. Double Dredge for Extra Crunch

Want extra crispy? Dredge the chicken twice—dip back into the buttermilk after the first flour coat, then coat again in the flour mix.

4. Don’t Overcrowd the Pan

Frying too much chicken at once lowers the oil temperature. That leads to soggy, greasy chicken. Cook in batches and let the oil recover between rounds.

5. Rest on a Rack, Not Paper Towels

This is a game-changer. A cooling rack over a baking sheet keeps air circulating around the chicken, so the crust stays crispy instead of steaming in its own heat.

6. Serve Immediately After Saucing

Once that sauce hits the chicken, the clock starts ticking. It’s best enjoyed fresh, right out of the bowl.

Follow these tips, and your hot honey chicken will rival your favorite takeout spot—maybe even beat it.

Customization Ideas

What’s great about this recipe is how easy it is to tweak it to match your taste or dietary needs. Here are a few ideas to make it your own:

Mild vs Extra Spicy Options

If you’re cooking for kids or people who prefer mild heat, simply reduce or skip the chili flakes and use a milder hot sauce like Crystal or Cholula.

If you love the burn:

• Add cayenne to the flour mix.
• Use a spicier hot sauce like habanero or ghost pepper blends.
• Double the chili flakes in the honey glaze.
• Mix in a little chipotle powder for a smoky kick.

Baked, Air-Fried, or Pan-Fried Methods

Trying to cut calories or skip deep frying? No problem.

Baking:

• Preheat oven to 425°F.
• Place dredged chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet.
• Spray with oil and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping once.

Air Fryer:

• Preheat to 400°F.
• Lightly oil the dredged chicken and air-fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Pan Frying:

• Use just enough oil to shallow fry.
• Cook chicken on medium heat, about 3-4 minutes per side.

Each method has its perks, and you’ll still get deliciously crispy chicken with that signature hot honey kick.

FAQs about Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

1. Can I use bone-in chicken for this recipe?

Absolutely! Bone-in chicken like drumsticks or thighs works great. Just adjust the cooking time to ensure the inside cooks thoroughly—around 10-12 minutes in oil depending on size. A meat thermometer should read 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.

2. How spicy is the hot honey sauce?

It’s mildly spicy with a sweet base. But the heat level is easily adjustable—reduce the hot sauce or skip the chili flakes for a gentler kick, or double up on them for a fiery version.

3. Can I make hot honey chicken ahead of time?

Yes, but it’s best enjoyed fresh. You can fry the chicken ahead and store it in the fridge, then reheat it in the oven or air fryer before tossing with freshly warmed hot honey sauce. Avoid microwaving—it kills the crunch.

4. Is this recipe gluten-free?

Not by default, but you can easily make it gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend for dredging. Make sure your hot sauce and other ingredients are also gluten-free by checking labels.

5. What can I substitute for buttermilk?

No buttermilk? No problem. Mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to curdle, and you’ve got a homemade buttermilk substitute.

Conclusion

There you have it—your ultimate guide to making hot honey chicken at home. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a hungry crowd, this recipe brings serious flavor and comfort to the table. The crunchy, juicy chicken combined with the sticky, spicy-sweet glaze is pure magic. And the best part? You can make it your own with endless variations, from mild and baked to extra hot and deep-fried.

This recipe isn’t just food—it’s an experience. It’s what you make on a Friday night to celebrate the weekend, what you serve to wow guests, or what you whip up when you just want something really satisfying. So go ahead—tie on that apron, turn up the tunes, and let your kitchen become the hottest spot in town. Once you taste that first bite, you’ll understand why hot honey chicken is a must-have in every home cook’s rotation.