Hot Honey Butter Chicken Recipe
Covered in our melted hot honey butter, it’s the perfect combination of chili pepper heat and golden honey sweet!
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Ingredients
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For the chicken
For the hot honey butter sauce
Finishing & garnish
Method
For the chicken
Prep
Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Trim any excess fat and, if large, halve to make even pieces (~1/2–3/4-inch thick). Season both sides with kosher salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
Dredge
Place the all-purpose flour on a shallow plate. Lightly dredge each seasoned thigh in the flour, shaking off excess. Set the pieces on a plate to rest for 5 minutes — this helps the crust set.
Pan-fry
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 3 tablespoons vegetable oil. When the oil shimmers, add the chicken in a single layer (do not overcrowd; cook in batches if needed). Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 4–5 minutes per side depending on thickness (internal temp 165°F/74°C). Transfer cooked chicken to a wire rack or plate lined with paper towels while you make the sauce.
For the hot honey butter sauce
Melt butter
Reduce the skillet heat to medium-low (you can use the skillet used for chicken, leaving about 1 tablespoon of oil and fond for extra flavor). Add 4 tablespoons unsalted butter and stir until melted and foamy.
Build sauce
Whisk in 6 tablespoons honey until combined. Add 1½ tablespoons sriracha (or chili garlic sauce), ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes, 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, ½ teaspoon soy sauce, ½ teaspoon lemon juice, and ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt. Continue to cook gently for 1–2 minutes, stirring, until the sauce is glossy and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust heat or sweetness: more sriracha or red pepper flakes for heat, more honey for sweetness, or a splash more vinegar to balance.
Finishing & serve
Transfer the sauced chicken to a serving platter. Spoon any remaining glaze from the pan over the top. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley and toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for squeezing if desired.