Hot Honey Chicken

This Hot Honey Chicken is something else, boo! It’s marinated in buttermilk, coated in a crispy layer of seasoned honey nut Cheerios (yup, cereal!), fried until it’s perfectly crispy, and slathered in this lip-smacking hot honey sauce that’s just the right mix of sweet and spicy. I whipped up a huge batch for the Super Bowl, and y’all… I ain’t lying when I tell you everyone was begging me to fry up one, two, even THREE more batches. It’s that good!

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

If there’s one thing I know like the back of my hand, it’s how to fry up some chicken. Just gimme a pound of chicken, a handful of spices, and some buttermilk, and I’ll cook you up something that’ll have you lickin’ your fingers clean. And this hot honey chicken recipe? Honey, it’s my pride and joy!

It’s got that perfect mix of sweet, spicy, and crunchy that just hooks you in. Plus, it’s versatile – you can fry it up old school or pop it in the air fryer for a lighter touch, but either way, you’re ending up with chicken tenders so juicy and flavorful, it’ll make your heart sing. If you’ve been hesitating to try your hand at homemade fried chicken, consider this your loving nudge to give it a go. Trust me boo, you won’t regret it!

The Heart & Soul Of Hot Honey Chicken

Cuisine Inspiration: Southern American, babes!
Primary Cooking Method: Frying
Dietary Info: Poultry-Based
Key Flavor: Savory, sweet n’ spicy
Skill Level: Beginner

Sweet Spots

• Comfort Food With A Capital C: I don’t know if it’s the tenderness of buttermilk-soaked chicken or the crunch, but there’s something about biting into a piece of this hot honey chicken that just feels like home.
• SO Crispy: What really sets these tenders apart is the crunch and the slight sweetness you get from that Cheerios coating. It’s revolutionary, y’all!
• Incredible Sauce: This golden, spicy, buttery delight is so good, you might just catch yourself making extra to keep in the fridge for, well, everything! I’m not just talking chicken – I mean everything from biscuits to your morning eggs.
• Options For Everyone: Not everyone can handle the heat, and that’s a-okay! You’ll add the hot honey sauce after frying, so you can easily serve up some simple, spiced buttermilk chicken for those who wanna keep things mild.
• Easy Cookin’: If the thought of frying chicken sounds daunting, fear not! This recipe breaks it down into easy, manageable steps. With a little patience and some hot oil, you’ll be frying up these tenders like a pro.

Ingredients to make Hot Honey Chicken

• Chicken Breast Tenderloins: You’ll want to get fresh, lean, and mean tenderloins. These are just perfect for grabbin’ with your fingers and dunkin’ into that heavenly sauce.
• Buttermilk: This is what adds an incredible tang and makes your chicken oh-so-tender. The acid in buttermilk works wonders, y’all.
• Honey Nut Cheerios Cereal, finely crushed: Whenever I say I coat my tenders with Cheerios, people give me a funny look and say, “Cheerios? Whatcha mean?” But trust me, it’s my secret ingredient! It adds a hint of sweetness and a LOT of crunch, which is absolutely key for any fried chicken worth its salt.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps bind everything together, creating that perfect crust.
• Lawry’s Seasoned Salt: This is your foundation, bringing a rich, savory flavor to the mix.
• Sweet Paprika: Adds a sweet, mild heat and gorgeous color.
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper: For that essential, spicy kick!
• Garlic Powder: Because, let’s be honest, garlic is always the answer when it comes to adding flavor.
• Whole Milk: Here’s another ace up my sleeve. I splash a bit of milk into the dredge, and it works like a charm to create those extra little crumbs, giving our chicken that extra crispy, crunchy coating.
• Vegetable Oil: For frying the tenders.
• Hot Sauce: This is where the “hot” in hot honey fried chicken comes from. I use Frank’s OG cayenne pepper hot sauce for that classic kick but feel free to use your favorite one.
• Honey: It balances out the spiciness with its smooth, rich sweetness.
• Salted Butter: Melts into our sauce, adding a silky, rich finish that makes this sauce downright addictive!

How to make Hot Honey Chicken

I’m gonna show you how to fry this hot honey chicken to crispy perfection first. We’ll get that oil hot and those tenders golden! Then, for those who like it lighter, I’ll share how to nail this recipe in the air fryer. Same great taste, less oil. Whichever cooking method you choose, you’re in for a treat!

Step 1: marinate the chicken and mix the coating ingredients

1. Submerge the chicken in a large bowl with buttermilk.
2. Cover it, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 8 hours.
3. Add the cereal, flour, seasoned salt, paprika, pepper, and garlic powder to a large zip-top bag once you’re ready to fry.
4. Mix until well combined. Then, drizzle in milk and mix well again. Little clumps will appear.

step 2: coat the chicken and fry it

1. Lift the chicken out of the buttermilk using tongs, letting excess drip back into the bowl, then place it in the bag of seasoned flour, thoroughly coating each piece of chicken.
2. Transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet and repeat with the remaining chicken. Let sit until the coating has set.
3. Heat the oil in a deep fryer or a large, deep skillet. Carefully place the coated tenders in the hot oil and fry until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F when checked with a food thermometer.
4. Remove the tenders from the oil once fried and let them drain on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.

step 3: mix the hot honey sauce and coat the chicken with it

1. Add hot sauce, honey, and butter to a small saucepan and heat over medium, until the butter has melted.
2. Transfer the tenders to a large bowl and toss with half the sauce until completely coated, and serve immediately.

Now, making these Hot Honey Chicken tenders in the air fryer is a breeze, and it follows the same steps we talked about above. The only twist? The air fryer! Here’s that you wanna do after you coat your tenders:

1. Preheat your air-fryer.
2. Spray both sides of tenders with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Place in air-fryer and cook on 400F.
4. Transfer to a clean, large rimmed baking sheet and repeat with the remaining chicken.

Simple as pie! And hey, if you’re the type who likes to see things in action, I had a blast showing off this recipe on the TODAY Show not too long ago. So, if you’re curious to see how it all went down, I’ve got you covered – just click on here to watch the video and follow along with me. It’s like having me right there in your kitchen!

Tips for making the best hot honey chicken tenders

1. Taste-Test That Sauce: Before you go drizzling that hot honey sauce all over your chicken, give it a little taste test. That way you can always adjust the spice to make sure it’s just right for everyone at your table.
2. Honey Slide Trick: When you’re measuring out your honey for the sauce, try spraying your measuring cup with nonstick cooking spray first. This ensures that all that sticky sweetness pours out easily, leaving no honey behind and making clean-up a breeze.
3. Avoid Overcrowding: Resist the temptation to cram too many tenders in at once! Whether you’re frying or air frying, overcrowding leads to uneven cooking, resulting in less crispy tenders.
4. Use a Thermometer: Don’t guess if your oil is ready for frying – use a thermometer to know for sure. Your oil should be at a steady 350°F for that ideal fry, keeping your hot honey chicken tenders crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside.
5. Fry Station Setup: Start with your ready-to-cook chicken on the left, your deep fryer or large skillet in the middle, and then a cooling rack set over a baking sheet lined with parchment paper on the right. This assembly line approach keeps things moving smoothly!

Popular substitutions & additions

• Make Your Own Buttermilk: If you open the fridge and realize you’re fresh out of buttermilk, don’t even worry about making a store run! Just grab some milk and mix in a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit until it gets a little thick, and boom, homemade buttermilk.
• Switch Up the Cereal: Whether it’s Cornflakes or Frosted Flakes, as long as it’s got that crunch and a hint of sweetness, you’re golden.
• Amp Up the Garlic: For those of y’all who think there’s no such thing as too much garlic, I’m with you! Swap the garlic powder for some finely minced garlic to give that coating an extra kick. It’ll add a fresh depth of flavor to this hot honey chicken recipe.
• Add a Squeeze of Lemon: Give that hot honey sauce a little zing with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. It cuts through the sweetness and spice just right!
• Dive into Different Sauces: Once you’ve nailed this hot honey vibe, don’t be shy about playin’ around with other sauces. Dip those crispy tenders in some BBQ, ranch, or buffalo sauce, and see which one you like the most.

What to serve with this hot honey chicken recipe

• Mashed Potatoes: Whip up some creamy garlic mashed potatoes, sour cream mashed potatoes, or mashed sweet potatoes for mixing with the hot honey sauce.
• Beans or Peas: Choose your adventure – Southern baked beans, crisp green beans, or homey black-eyed peas. Each one brings something special to the plate.
• Mac n’ Cheese: You can’t go wrong here. Go classic with Velveeta mac, get really Southern with baked mac, or throw in some extra cheese for a white cheddar mac. It’s mac n’ cheese – it’s all good.
• Greens: Sauté some collard or mustard greens. A little bacon or onion in there? Yes, please! They add a nice, peppery kick.
• Biscuits: Buttermilk biscuits are your friend here, ready to scoop up that lovely extra hot honey sauce. Cheddar or honey biscuits? Even better.

How to store & reheat Hot Honey Chicken

After enjoying that finger-lickin’ good Hot Honey Chicken, let any leftovers cool before you tuck them away. Place them in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge. And about that extra hot honey sauce? Keep it in a separate container in the fridge, too. It’s perfect for round two of dipping action.

When you’re ready for more, you’ve got options. You can heat a skillet on the stove over medium heat for a crisp exterior, or zap the tenders in the microwave if you’re in a hurry. And remember, that extra sauce might thicken up a bit in the fridge, so give it a quick warm-up in the microwave or let it come to room temperature for easier drizzling and dipping.

How long will Hot Honey Chicken last in the fridge?

In the fridge, your delicious hot honey fried chicken and that extra sauce will keep for up to 4 days. Just make sure they’re stored properly, and you’re all set for a repeat!

Can I freeze hot honey fried chicken?

Yes, you can freeze this chicken! Cool the tenders completely, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bake this recipe?
Absolutely, baby! Just preheat your oven to 400°F, place the coated chicken on a baking sheet, and give them a good spray with some oil to help them crisp up. Bake until they’re golden brown and cooked through, about 20-25 minutes.

How spicy is the chicken?
The sauce does pack a flavorful punch with a nice balance between sweet and spicy, but don’t worry, it’s not gonna set your mouth on fire. Perfect for those who like a bit of spice without the burn.

Why is my fried chicken soggy?
Soggy fried chicken often comes down to a couple of factors: oil temperature and overcrowding. If your oil isn’t hot enough, the chicken absorbs more oil than it should, making it soggy. Also, crowding the pan can lower the oil’s temperature and steam the chicken instead of frying it.

If you’ve got a soft spot for hot honey, then this Hot Honey Chicken is gonna feel like a real treat! From its crunchy coating to that delicious sauce, it’s a comforting meal that just begs to be enjoyed again and again. So go ahead and fry it, y’all! Or just air fry it. Either way, it tastes ah-mazing.

More fried chicken recipes

• Ultimate Nashville Hot Chicken Recipe
• Buttermilk Fried Chicken Recipe
• Big Mama’s Fried Chicken Recipe
• Chicken Fried Steak
• Chicken Fried Chicken

*Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating and leave comments below!* Post a photo of how your version of the recipe came out on Instagram (using #grandbabycakes)!!