Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

Meet your new weeknight obsession: Hot Honey Chicken. This recipe turns humble chicken tenders into pure crispy, sticky, sweet-and-spicy perfection with layers of flavor and crunch you absolutely won’t believe until you try it. Pair that golden crust with the dazzling sting of homemade hot honey sauce, and you’ll never look at fried chicken the same way again!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of Hot Honey Chicken is that it calls for simple ingredients, but each one packs a punch in terms of taste and texture. From juicy chicken to the quirky cereal crust and that dreamy sauce, every element helps layer on the flavor!

• Chicken breast tenderloins: Choose fresh, plump tenderloins for the juiciest results—they soak up all that marinade!
• Buttermilk: This classic Southern trick delivers tender, flavorful chicken and helps the breading stick.
• Honey Nut Cheerios cereal: The unexpected star—finely crushed for an unbeatable crunch with a subtle hint of honey sweetness.
• All-purpose flour: Blends with the cereal to create a crisp, golden crust that fries up beautifully.
• Lawry’s seasoned salt: Classic for a reason! It gives the crust extra punchy, savory flavor.
• Sweet paprika: Adds warm, earthy color and a gentle smoky depth.
• Freshly ground black pepper: Lends a sharp bite that balances out the sweetness.
• Garlic powder: Just a touch brings savory aroma to every bite.
• Whole milk: This bit of milk creates delightful texture clumps in the breading, making those extra-crispy bits!
• Vegetable oil: Go for a neutral oil with a high smoke point for perfect, golden fries.
• Hot sauce (like Frank’s): The base of your hot honey sauce; pick your favorite for customizing the heat.
• Honey: Essential for that sticky-sweet magic in your signature sauce.
• Salted butter: Makes the hot honey sauce glossy, rich, and perfectly pourable.

Variations

One of the best things about Hot Honey Chicken is how flexible it is—once you have the basic method down, you can make it as fiery or mild, as classic or as creative as you want. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own!

• Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken: Easily adapt this recipe to the air fryer for lighter tenders with a fraction of the oil—just spritz the breaded chicken with oil and cook in batches.
• Gluten-Free Version: Swap in your favorite gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free cereal for an allergy-friendly take.
• Extra Spicy Sauce: Add a big pinch of cayenne or a dash of chili flakes to your hot honey sauce to dial up the heat to your liking.
• Chicken Thighs or Nuggets: Try boneless chicken thighs or cube the tenderloins for poppable hot honey chicken bites—the sauce loves them all.

How to Make Hot Honey Chicken

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Start by giving your chicken a buttermilk bath—submerge the tenderloins in buttermilk, cover the bowl, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (but up to 8 if you want to prep ahead). This soak makes the chicken incredibly juicy and ensures every bite is packed with tangy flavor.

Step 2: Set Up the Crunchy Breading

While the chicken marinates, combine your crushed Honey Nut Cheerios, flour, seasoned salt, paprika, pepper, and garlic powder in a big zip-top bag. Toss in a splash of milk and mix it up—this is where those magical crunchy clumps happen!

Step 3: Dredge and Rest

Using tongs, lift each marinated tenderloin out of the buttermilk, letting the excess drip away. Drop it straight into your breading bag and shake it like you mean it, making sure every inch is coated. Lay the breaded pieces on a baking sheet and give them 10–15 minutes to rest; this helps the coating really set for a crunch that won’t fall off in the fryer.

Step 4: Fry to Crispy Perfection

Preheat your vegetable oil to 350°F in a deep fryer or large skillet. Gently lower the tenders into the hot oil in batches, frying 4–5 minutes per batch until they’re deeply golden and the internal temperature reads 165°F. Give them a quick rest on a wire rack to keep them crisp and drain any extra oil.

Step 5: Make the Hot Honey Sauce

In a small saucepan, combine your favorite hot sauce, honey, and salted butter over medium heat, stirring until the butter melts into the glossy, fiery-sweet sauce. Take a (careful!) taste and adjust the spice level if needed—you’re the boss of the heat!

Step 6: Toss and Serve

Pop your crispy chicken into a large bowl, drizzle over that hot honey sauce (start with half and add more if you like!), and toss until everything is lacquered and irresistible. Serve up immediately while the glaze is sticky warm and the chicken is still shatteringly crisp.

How to Serve Hot Honey Chicken

Garnishes

To really make your Hot Honey Chicken pop, shower those glistening tenders with chopped fresh parsley, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, and—if you’re in the mood—a smattering of thinly sliced jalapeños for extra zing. You could also add a lemon wedge on the side for a bright, fresh finish!

Side Dishes

This dish begs for fun sides—think cool, creamy coleslaw, crisp pickles, classic potato salad, or pillowy-soft biscuits to mop up any extra hot honey sauce. If you’re feeling fancy, serve Hot Honey Chicken with a simple green salad or some roasted sweet potatoes for balance.

Creative Ways to Present

Stack your saucy chicken tenders high on a platter with dipping bowls on the side, serve slider-style in soft rolls with slaw, or layer them into wraps for an on-the-go lunch. For parties, use toothpicks and create bite-sized Hot Honey Chicken skewers—perfect for passing around and impressing guests!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any chicken left (don’t count on it!), store cooled Hot Honey Chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the sauce separate if you want to keep things extra crisp when reheating.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze cooked, un-sauced chicken tenders—just cool them completely, layer between parchment in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 2 months. The hot honey sauce is best made fresh, so whip it up right before serving for that signature shine.

Reheating

To bring back that irresistible crunch, reheat tenders on a wire rack in a 400°F oven for about 10 minutes. Air fryer lovers can use 375°F for 5–6 minutes. Coat with fresh, warm hot honey sauce just before serving for the true Hot Honey Chicken experience!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready for a craveable, crispy, sweet-and-spicy adventure, Hot Honey Chicken is your new kitchen superstar. Give it a try—you’re just one batch away from chicken night glory, and I promise everyone will be begging for seconds!

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