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Incredible Hot Honey Chicken

Crispy fried chicken drizzled with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce, perfect for any occasion.

  • Total Time: 195 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (2.5–3 lbs), trimmed
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce (for marinade)
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt (for marinade)
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper (for marinade)
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder (for dredging)
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt (for dredging)
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper (for dredging)
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (for dredging)
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup water or buttermilk (for egg wash)
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce (for egg wash)
  • 6–8 cups vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil (for frying)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup hot sauce (for sauce)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (for sauce)
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for sauce)
  • Pinch of kosher salt (for sauce)
  • Fresh chopped chives or parsley (for garnish)
  • Sesame seeds (for garnish)
  • Extra hot sauce (for drizzling)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, hot sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper. Add chicken and marinate for at least 4 hours in the refrigerator.
  2. Prepare the Dredging Mix: In a shallow dish, combine flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and dried thyme. In another dish, whisk eggs, water or buttermilk, and hot sauce for egg wash.
  3. Set Up Your Breading Station: Dip each chicken piece in the egg wash, then coat with flour mix, dip again in egg wash, and re-coat in flour mix. Let rest on a wire rack for 15-20 minutes.
  4. Fry the Chicken: Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a pot. Fry chicken in batches for 15-20 minutes until cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack to drain.
  5. Make the Sauce: In a saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter and add honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Simmer for 3-5 minutes.
  6. Finish and Serve: Drizzle hot honey sauce over the fried chicken and garnish with chives or parsley. Serve immediately with sides.

Notes

Marinate chicken overnight for maximum flavor. Adjust hot sauce to your taste.

  • Author: jessica-baker
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: None

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 24g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg

Keywords: fried chicken, hot honey chicken, comfort food, game day, spicy chicken