hot honey chicken recipe

Thank you so much for stopping by! I can’t wait to share this one — it’s bold, it’s sticky-sweet, and it packs just the right amount of heat. This Hot Honey Chicken Recipe is everything you love about crispy, juicy chicken, taken up a notch with a drizzle of spicy-sweet hot honey that makes each bite completely irresistible.

Whether you’re making dinner for the family or spicing up your weekend meal prep, this recipe delivers flavor with zero fuss. It’s baked (or air-fried!), not deep-fried, and made with pantry staples. And that hot honey glaze? You’ll want to put it on everything.

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Why You’ll Love This Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

What Is Hot Honey Chicken?

Hot honey chicken is crispy, juicy chicken — either baked, fried, or air-fried — tossed or drizzled with a spicy honey glaze. The result is a sweet, sticky, slightly fiery dish that hits all the best flavor notes: savory, sweet, spicy, and salty.

Reasons to Love It

• Crunchy outside, juicy inside

• Sweet heat from the homemade hot honey glaze

• Baked or air-fried — no deep fryer needed!

• Customizable spice level

• Perfect for game day, dinner, or snacking

What Does It Taste Like?

It’s got everything: tender, well-seasoned chicken with a satisfying crispy crust, plus a warm honey drizzle that brings smoky heat and caramelized sweetness. Think chicken tenders meet spicy honey BBQ — but way easier and better for you!

Ingredients for Hot Honey Chicken

Here’s what you’ll need for both the chicken and the sauce:

For the Chicken:

• 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into strips or nuggets

• 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice as a sub)

• 1 tsp hot sauce (optional for marinating)

• 1½ cups breadcrumbs or panko

• ½ cup flour

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ tsp black pepper

• Olive oil spray (if baking or air frying)

For the Hot Honey Sauce:

• ⅓ cup honey

• 1–2 tbsp hot sauce (Frank’s, Sriracha, or your favorite)

• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar

• Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional for extra heat)

Tools You’ll Need

• Mixing bowls

• Baking sheet or air fryer

• Wire rack (for baking)

• Small saucepan (for the sauce)

• Tongs or spatula

Ingredient Substitutions & Additions

• Make it gluten-free: Use GF flour and breadcrumbs

• Use chicken wings or drumsticks instead of tenders

• Add extra spices like cayenne or chili powder for a bolder crust

• Not a fan of spicy? Use less hot sauce or swap for a mild chili sauce

How to Make Hot Honey Chicken

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

In a bowl, mix buttermilk and hot sauce. Add chicken pieces and let marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for max flavor and tenderness).

Step 2: Prep the Breading

In one shallow bowl, mix breadcrumbs, flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Remove chicken from the marinade and coat each piece in the breadcrumb mixture.

Step 3: Bake or Air Fry

• To Bake: Place chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Spray lightly with olive oil. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.

• To Air Fry: Cook at 390°F for 12–15 minutes, shaking halfway, until crispy and golden.

Step 4: Make the Hot Honey

In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey, hot sauce, vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Stir until warmed and well mixed (about 2–3 minutes). Don’t let it boil!

Step 5: Toss or Drizzle

Toss the hot, crispy chicken in the hot honey sauce or drizzle it over the top. Serve immediately for the ultimate sweet-heat crunch!

What to Serve with Hot Honey Chicken

This chicken goes with just about everything! Here are some favorite pairings:

• Creamy coleslaw – cools the heat and adds crunch

• Buttermilk biscuits – for a classic Southern feel

• Mac and cheese – for cozy, cheesy goodness

• Pickles or pickled onions – for a zippy contrast

• Cornbread or sweet potato fries – sweet + spicy = magic

• Simple side salad – if you want to keep it light

Pro tip: Turn this into the ultimate sandwich with brioche buns, pickles, and extra sauce!

Tips for the Best Hot Honey Chicken

• Marinate your chicken — even 30 minutes helps tenderize and boost flavor

• Use panko for extra crunch if baking

• Don’t skip the wire rack — it allows air to circulate for better crisping in the oven

• Add the hot honey right before serving to keep the chicken crispy

• Make the sauce ahead and reheat gently when ready to serve

Storage Instructions

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days

• Reheat in the oven or air fryer to bring back the crisp

• Store hot honey sauce separately to keep chicken from getting soggy

Note: You can freeze breaded (uncooked) chicken pieces. Bake from frozen, adding a few minutes to the cook time!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use bone-in chicken?

Yes! Just adjust the cooking time — bone-in pieces like drumsticks or thighs may take 35–40 minutes to bake.

Is hot honey very spicy?

Not necessarily! You control the heat by adjusting the amount of hot sauce and chili flakes. Start small and build up to your heat preference.

Can I make this without buttermilk?

Yes — mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar with 1 cup milk as a quick buttermilk substitute.

What’s the best hot sauce to use?

Frank’s RedHot, Sriracha, Tabasco, or even a smoky chipotle sauce — it depends on your flavor preference!

Conclusion

This Hot Honey Chicken Recipe is everything you want in a weeknight meal or game day snack — crunchy, juicy, sweet, and spicy. It’s easy enough to throw together on a whim, but impressive enough to serve at your next get-together. Once you taste that sticky hot honey glaze? You’ll be hooked.

🔥 Craving more bold flavors? Try my Sticky Garlic Chicken Wings, Chili Lime Shrimp Bowls, or Sweet and Spicy Tofu Stir-Fry next!

Let’s Keep It Spicy (and Sweet!)

Tried this recipe? I’d love to know how it turned out! Leave a comment below, and tag your hot honey chicken photos on Pinterest — I’m always cheering you on from my kitchen! 🍯🐔

Nutritional Info (Per Serving – Approximate)

• Calories: 370

• Protein: 28g

• Carbs: 24g

• Fat: 18g

• Sugar: 12g

• Fiber: 1g

hot honey chicken recipe

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• Author: Kayla Neff
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 servings
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

These Homemade Soda Recipes are crisp, colorful, and naturally sweetened — a refreshing way to enjoy fizzy drinks made with real ingredients. Easy to make, endlessly customizable, and perfect for summer sipping!

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Ingredients

• Strawberry Mint Soda: ½ cup strawberries, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp lemon juice, 3–4 mint leaves, ¾ cup sparkling water
• Peach Basil Fizz: 1 peach, 2 tsp sugar or maple syrup, 2 basil leaves, ¾ cup sparkling water
• Honey Lemon Ginger Soda: 1 tbsp lemon juice, ½ tsp grated ginger, 1 tbsp honey, ¾ cup sparkling water
• Pineapple Coconut Cooler: ½ cup pineapple juice, ¼ cup coconut water, sparkling water to top, lime wedge
• Blueberry Lime Soda: ½ cup blueberries, 1 tbsp sugar, juice of ½ lime, sparkling water

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Instructions

1. Strawberry Mint Soda: Simmer strawberries with honey and ¼ cup water for 5–6 minutes. Muddle mint in glass. Strain syrup, add lemon juice, sparkling water, and ice.
2. Peach Basil Fizz: Simmer peach slices with sugar and ¼ cup water for 10 minutes. Strain. Add syrup and basil to glass. Top with sparkling water and ice.
3. Honey Lemon Ginger Soda: Mix honey, lemon juice, and ginger in a glass. Stir in sparkling water and ice. Garnish with lemon.
4. Pineapple Coconut Cooler: Mix pineapple juice and coconut water. Add ice, top with sparkling water, and garnish with lime.
5. Blueberry Lime Soda: Simmer blueberries with sugar and a splash of water for 8 minutes. Strain, add lime juice and sparkling water over ice.

Notes

Chill syrups and sparkling water before mixing for the fizziest results. Syrups can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 1 week. Use fresh fruit and herbs for the best flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Drinks
• Method: No-Cook / Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 glass
• Calories: 30
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 5mg
• Fat: 0g
• Saturated Fat: 0g
• Unsaturated Fat: 0g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 8g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 0g
• Cholesterol: 0mg

Keywords: homemade soda, fruit soda, fizzy drinks, healthy soda, natural soda, summer drinks