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Hot Honey Chicken

Hot Honey Chicken

Hot Honey Chicken is a perfect blend of sticky honey sweetness and gentle spicy heat, offering a deliciously balanced, quick, and easy meal that’s ideal for busy weeknights or cozy dinners. This versatile recipe features tender chicken coated in a flavorful hot honey glaze, delivering juicy, crispy bites with a mouthwatering sweet and spicy harmony that’s approachable for all cooking skill levels.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • Chicken thighs or breasts, 4 pieces (about 1.5 lbs)

Sauce

  • Honey, 1/4 cup
  • Chili flakes or hot sauce, 1 tsp (adjust to taste)
  • Garlic, 2 cloves minced
  • Soy sauce, 2 tbsp (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • Lemon juice or vinegar, 1 tbsp

Cooking

  • Olive oil or butter, 2 tbsp
  • Salt, 1 tsp
  • Black pepper, 1/2 tsp

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure a crispy finish. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper and let it rest for a few minutes.
  2. Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, chili flakes or hot sauce, minced garlic, soy sauce, and lemon juice or vinegar to create the hot honey glaze.
  3. Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil or butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
  4. Glaze the Chicken: Pour the hot honey sauce into the pan with the chicken. Reduce heat to low and spoon the glaze over the chicken, allowing it to thicken and caramelize for several minutes.
  5. Serve and Enjoy: Transfer the chicken to serving plates, drizzle any remaining glaze from the pan over the top, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Patience is key: Let the chicken cook fully on each side without moving for a crispy, golden crust.
  • Control spice level: Start with less chili and adjust gradually to your heat preference.
  • Use skin-on chicken for extra crispiness and moisture retention.
  • Don’t over-sauce to avoid soggy chicken; add glaze gradually.
  • Let the chicken rest a few minutes after cooking to seal in juices.

Nutrition

Keywords: hot honey chicken, sweet and spicy chicken, honey chicken recipe, quick dinner, easy chicken recipe, gluten-free chicken