Hot Honey Chicken, the Sweet and Spicy Recipe Everyone Is Making!

Hot honey chicken is the dish that has taken over kitchens everywhere, and for good reason. It is the perfect meeting point of two cravings at once, a sticky, caramelised glaze that is sweet upfront and spicy on the finish. The contrast is addictive, and once you have had it, plain grilled chicken will feel like a lesser version of itself.

This recipe uses boneless chicken leg pieces, which are the ideal cut for a dish like this. They stay juicy under high heat and soak up the glaze beautifully without drying out. The hot honey sauce comes together in minutes with pantry staples and coats the chicken in a glossy, spiced finish that works just as well on a weeknight as it does when you have guests over.

Pan-seared hot honey chicken pieces with a glossy amber glaze and spring onions on a white plate

Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

Serves: 3 to 4 Prep time: 10 minutes + 20 minutes marination Cook time: 25 minutes Total time: about 55 minutes

Ingredients for the chicken

  • 500g Chicken Breast Boneless (cut into large pieces)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp cumin powder
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil (sunflower or vegetable)

For the hot honey glaze

  • 4 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce (Tabasco or any red chilli hot sauce)
  • 1/2 tsp red chilli flakes (adjust to your heat preference)
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
  • A pinch of salt

To serve

  • Steamed rice or warm flatbread
  • Thinly sliced spring onions
  • Lime wedges

Steps

  1. In a bowl, combine the garlic powder, smoked paprika, cumin, black pepper and salt. Add the chicken pieces and toss well until evenly coated. Cover and marinate for at least 20 minutes at room temperature, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
  2. While the chicken marinates, prepare the hot honey glaze. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and add the minced garlic. Cook for one minute until fragrant, stirring so it does not brown. Add the honey, hot sauce, chilli flakes, vinegar and a pinch of salt. Stir well and let it warm through for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
  3. Pat the chicken pieces dry with a kitchen towel. This is important as it ensures the chicken sears properly rather than steaming in the pan.
  4. Heat the oil in a wide, heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, place the chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook without moving for 5 to 6 minutes until the underside is golden and caramelised. Flip and cook the other side for another 4 to 5 minutes.
  5. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Pour the hot honey glaze over the chicken in the pan. Turn the pieces to coat them evenly and let the glaze bubble and thicken for 2 to 3 minutes, spooning it over the chicken as it reduces.
  6. The chicken is ready when it is cooked through with an internal temperature of 75 degrees Celsius and the glaze is thick and glossy. Remove from the heat.
  7. Serve immediately over steamed rice or flatbread. Finish with sliced spring onions and a squeeze of lime.

Tips for Best Results:

Boneless chicken leg pieces work best here as they stay moist and absorb the glaze far better than breast meat. Always pat the chicken dry before it goes into the pan, as surface moisture prevents proper browning. Do not rush the sear on each side, as the caramelisation that builds on the surface is what gives the dish its depth of flavour. For extra heat, increase the chilli flakes or add a pinch of cayenne to the glaze. For a milder version, reduce the hot sauce to half a tablespoon. The glaze thickens quickly once it hits the pan, so keep the heat low and watch it closely. Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to two days and reheat easily in a pan with a splash of water.

Hot honey chicken is the kind of recipe that looks and tastes like it took far more effort than it did. Sweet, spicy, sticky and deeply satisfying, it is a dish you will find yourself coming back to week after week.

Visit shop.zorabian.com to order fresh, antibiotic-free Zorabian Chicken Leg Boneless and try this recipe tonight.

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