Description
This Golden Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken recipe features crispy fried chicken coated in a flavorful blend of spices and panko breadcrumbs, glazed with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce. Perfect for those who love a balance of heat and sweetness, this dish is ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a tasty appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for extra flavor)
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
- ½ cup honey
- 2–3 tbsp hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Cut into strips or leave whole depending on your preference for serving.
- Set up dredging stations: In bowl one, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. In bowl two, whisk together eggs and milk. In bowl three, mix panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese if using.
- Coat the chicken: Dredge each piece of chicken in the seasoned flour, then dip into the egg mixture, and finally coat thoroughly with the panko breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to ensure the coating adheres well.
- Fry the chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the chicken pieces for 3 to 5 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Make the hot honey sauce: In a small saucepan, combine honey, hot sauce, unsalted butter, and a pinch of salt. Warm over low to medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter melts and the sauce is smooth and well combined.
- Glaze the chicken: Drizzle the hot honey sauce over the fried chicken or gently toss the chicken in the sauce to coat fully and evenly.
- Serve: Serve the hot honey chicken immediately with extra sauce on the side. It pairs wonderfully with coleslaw, fries, or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of hot sauce to control the spice level of the honey sauce according to your taste.
- Using Parmesan in the breadcrumb mixture is optional but adds an extra depth of flavor.
- Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying to avoid greasy chicken and to achieve a crispy crust.
- Cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is safe to eat.
- The chicken can be cut into strips for easier dipping and serving as an appetizer or kept whole for a main dish.
