Hot Honey Chicken
Hot Honey Chicken is a perfect balance of sweet and spicy, featuring tender, juicy chicken pieces glazed in a sticky honey sauce with a gentle kick of heat. This quick and easy recipe is ideal for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests, using simple everyday ingredients to create a crowd-pleasing, flavorful dish.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying and simmering
- Cuisine: American Fusion
- Diet: Gluten Free (when using tamari and cornstarch alternatives)
Chicken
- 1 lb boneless chicken thighs or breasts, trimmed and patted dry
Sauce
- 1/4 cup pure honey
- 1 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar
Other
- 2 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Prepare the Chicken: Trim any excess fat from chicken pieces. Pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels to ensure crispiness. Season evenly with salt and pepper on all sides.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. For thicker pieces, cover loosely for a few minutes to ensure doneness without burning.
- Make the Hot Honey Sauce: In a small saucepan or the same skillet, combine honey, chili flakes, minced garlic, minced ginger, soy sauce, and lemon juice. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly. Adjust heat by adding more chili flakes or hot sauce as desired.
- Glaze the Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce over the cooked chicken and toss gently to coat each piece completely. Let cook for another 1–2 minutes, allowing sauce to become sticky and cling well.
- Serve and Enjoy: Transfer the glazed Hot Honey Chicken to a platter. Garnish with optional toasted sesame seeds, chopped green onions, or fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley. Serve hot and enjoy the perfect sweet-spicy blend.
Notes
- Dry the chicken completely before cooking for crispier texture.
- Simmer the honey sauce gently to prevent burning and ensure smooth glaze.
- Adjust sweetness and heat according to preference by adding more honey or chili.
- Use medium heat during cooking to avoid burning and promote even browning.
- Allow chicken to rest a few minutes after cooking to keep it juicy.
- For extra crispiness, finish the chicken under the broiler for 1–2 minutes after glazing—watch carefully to prevent burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe (about 4 oz chicken with sauce)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: Hot Honey Chicken, spicy chicken, sweet and spicy chicken, quick chicken dinner, honey glazed chicken, gluten-free chicken, weeknight chicken recipe