Description
Hot Honey Chicken is a perfect combination of crispy, tender chicken pieces coated in a sweet and spicy sauce. The crispy fried chicken is complemented by the hot honey sauce, giving it a unique balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors. This dish is great as an appetizer or main course and is sure to satisfy your cravings for something bold and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 ½ pounds chicken thighs or breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions
For the Chicken:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Dip each piece of chicken into the beaten eggs, then dredge them in the flour mixture, making sure each piece is well-coated.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or deep fryer over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the chicken pieces in batches and fry for 4-5 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the oil and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, combine the honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper flakes (if using).
- Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is well combined and heated through, about 3-4 minutes.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the heat level by adding more hot sauce or red pepper flakes, if desired.
To Serve:
- Once the chicken is cooked and drained, place it in a large mixing bowl. Pour the hot honey sauce over the chicken and toss to coat the pieces evenly.
- Serve immediately, garnished with chopped parsley or extra red pepper flakes, if desired. Pair with rice, salad, or enjoy as an appetizer with dipping sauces.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes to make the sauce as spicy as you prefer.
- For a healthier version, you can bake the chicken instead of frying it by placing the breaded chicken on a baking sheet and baking at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- This dish pairs well with a cooling side like coleslaw or a fresh cucumber salad to balance the heat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Appetizer
- Method: Frying, Saucing
- Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Keywords: Hot Honey Chicken, Crispy Chicken, Fried Chicken, Sweet and Spicy Chicken, Honey Chicken, Comfort Food, Chicken Recipe, Appetizer, Spicy Chicken