Can you bake hot honey chicken instead of pan-frying?

If preferred, you can brush or drizzle the hot honey chicken with olive oil and bake in a preheated 425°F oven until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Can you control the spiciness of hot honey chicken?

If making your own hot honey, you can tame or amplify the heat as desired. If using store-bought hot honey, use less or more to achieve the right heat level.

How do I keep my pan-fried chicken from becoming soggy?

To avoid soggy pan-fried chicken, make sure your oil is hot before the chicken goes in, and drain the excess oil by placing the cooked chicken on a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack.

Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

Name: Hot Honey Chicken
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 4 (6-oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 tsp. kosher salt; 1/3 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tsp. chili powder; 1 tsp. garlic powder; 2 Tbsp. milk; 2 large eggs; 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs; 1/2 cup canola oil; 1/4 cup hot honey

Southern Living Hot Honey Chicken on a plate to serve with green beans — Photo:
Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Active Time:

25 mins

Total Time:

25 mins

Servings:

Crispy, golden brown hot honey chicken is about to move into your family's spot for the ultimate dinner favorite. This dish is well-seasoned and gets fantastically crispy after pan-frying, with hot honey complementing all the savory notes with its sweetness and heat. =

You can use your favorite store-bought hot honey, or try our recipe for homemade hot honey. Either way, keep a bottle on the table because we promise everyone will want to be sure each bite of chicken has a good drizzle of the spicy syrup.

Want to change things up? Take this dinner to the next level by serving the chicken as a sandwich with juicy tomatoes and lettuce.

Ingredients for Hot Honey Chicken

Hot, crispy chicken breasts are drizzled with hot honey for juicy, tender chicken you won't soon forget. To make hot honey chicken, you'll need:

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Crisps up nicely when coated and pan-fried.
Kosher salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
All-purpose flour: Coats the chicken to give the egg mixture something to adhere to.
Chili powder: Adds a mild heat to complement the hot honey.
Garlic powder: For a savory depth.
Milk: Thins the egg mixture to coat the chicken.
Large eggs: To help the panko breading adhere to the chicken.
Panko breadcrumbs: A thick and crispy breadcrumb coating. You can also use standard breadcrumbs if needed, but you'll miss out on that super crunchy exterior.
Canola oil: For pan-frying the chicken. Substitute with other types of oil, including vegetable or peanut oil, if needed.
Hot honey: Make your own, or use a store-bought version in a pinch.

Southern Living Hot Honey Chicken ingredients — Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

How To Make Hot Honey Chicken

This craveable dish is surprisingly simple to pull together. Just pound the chicken for even, quick cooking, then dredge in flour, egg, and panko, and pan-fry until crisp and golden brown. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

Step 1. Flatten and season chicken: Pound chicken to 1/2-inch thickness, and season with salt.
Step 2. Make chicken breading mixtures: Combine flour, chili powder, and garlic powder in a shallow dish. Whisk together milk and eggs in another dish. Arrange panko in another dish.
Step 3. Coat chicken breasts in breading: Dredge chicken breasts one at a time in the flour mixture, then egg mixture, then panko, shaking off excess.
Step 4. Pan-fry chicken: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Pan-fry two chicken breasts at a time until cooked through and crisp on both sides. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate. Drizzle with hot honey and serve.

Hot Honey Chicken Variations

To change up and incorporate additional flavor into this hot honey chicken, consider these variation ideas:

Seasonings and herbs: Experiment with adding different seasonings and herbs you enjoy into the coating, including paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, Parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, thyme, and more.
Marinade: While not needed, marinating in buttermilk before coating can make the chicken even more flavorful and tender.
Panko: If you don't have panko on hand, substitute with regular breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes, or crushed crackers for a similar crunchy texture.
Cooking method: Instead of pan-frying, this chicken can also be brushed with oil and baked at 425°F or air-fried at 375°F until golden and crispy.
Garnishes: Garnish the chicken with fresh herbs or sliced scallions to brighten up the dish.

Our Tips for the Best Hot Honey Chicken

For the best hot honey chicken, keep these simple tips in mind:

Prep the chicken: Pound chicken to a 1/2-inch thickness for even and quick cooking.
Season generously: Season the flour mixture generously for the most flavorful results.
Coat evenly: Make sure to dredge the chicken into the flour, egg, and panko mixture evenly, letting the excess drip off in between, and without missing any spots. You can even double dredge for extra crispiness.
Use a thermometer: Check the internal temperature of the chicken to make sure it's perfectly cooked. It should reach 165°F when ready.
Drain on paper towels: To eliminate excess oil and prevent sogginess. You can also use a wire rack for this purpose.
Cook in batches: Avoid overcrowding the pan so that the chicken will cook evenly.
Serve hot: For the crispiest texture.

How To Store and Reheat Leftover Hot Honey Chicken

Cool and store leftover hot honey chicken in an airtight container for up to four days, or freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Reheat in a preheated 350°F oven, air fryer, or on the stovetop until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Avoid reheating in the microwave, as the chicken may lose its crispness.

To repurpose your leftovers into a new dish, thinly slice the chicken and incorporate into a salad or pasta, or use for sandwiches.

What To Serve With Hot Honey Chicken

Hot honey chicken is an incredibly satisfying main course that pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Serve with rice, mashed or roasted potatoes, or pasta for a filling dinner. Round out the meal with roasted, grilled, or steamed vegetables, or a side salad, and add in cornbread, biscuits, or crusty bread for soaking up every drip of that hot honey.

More Crispy Chicken Recipes You'll Love

A satisfying crunch gives way to tender, juicy chicken in these oven-fried, pan-fried, and air-fryer chicken recipes:

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.

Ingredients

4 (6-oz.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
2 Tbsp. milk
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup hot honey

Directions

Flatten and season chicken:

Arrange chicken on a large piece of plastic wrap; pound to 1/2-inch thickness with a meat mallet or rolling pin.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Sprinkle salt evenly over both sides of chicken.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Make chicken breading mixtures:

Combine flour, chili powder, and garlic powder in a shallow dish. Whisk together milk and eggs in another shallow dish. Arrange panko in another shallow dish.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Coat chicken breasts in breading:

Working with 1 chicken breast at a time, dredge chicken in flour mixture; dip in egg mixture, turning to coat and allowing excess egg mixture to run off. Dredge well in panko, pressing to adhere. Repeat with remaining chicken, flour mixture, egg mixture, and panko.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox
Pan fry chicken:

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Arrange 2 chicken breasts in pan; pan-fry until cooked through and crisp, 4 to 5 minutes on each side. Remove chicken to a paper towel–lined plate. Repeat frying procedure with remaining 2 chicken breasts. Drizzle honey evenly over chicken.

Caitlin Bensel, Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you bake hot honey chicken instead of pan-frying?

If preferred, you can brush or drizzle the hot honey chicken with olive oil and bake in a preheated 425°F oven until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Can you control the spiciness of hot honey chicken?

If making your own hot honey, you can tame or amplify the heat as desired. If using store-bought hot honey, use less or more to achieve the right heat level.
How do I keep my pan-fried chicken from becoming soggy?

To avoid soggy pan-fried chicken, make sure your oil is hot before the chicken goes in, and drain the excess oil by placing the cooked chicken on a paper towel-lined plate or wire rack.