Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Hot Honey Chicken is a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors that make a simple chicken dish extraordinary. With a sticky, tangy sauce and tender chicken tenders, this recipe is quick to prepare and sure to impress.

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup hot honey
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 thinly sliced green onions, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat the chicken tenders dry with a paper towel and season them generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken tenders and cook until the bottom is golden brown, about 4 minutes.
3. Step 3: Flip the chicken and cook the other side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F, about 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
4. Step 4: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Pour in the apple cider vinegar and hot honey, then bring the mixture to a low boil over medium-high heat.
6. Step 6: Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce until it thickens slightly, about 5 to 8 minutes.
7. Step 7: Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, then return the cooked chicken tenders to the skillet. Spoon the sauce over the chicken to coat thoroughly.
8. Step 8: Garnish with thinly sliced green onions if desired, and serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• For extra heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce while it simmers.
• Substitute chicken thighs if you prefer darker meat with more richness.
• Use homemade hot honey or infuse your honey with chili flakes for a personalized touch.
• Serve with rice or roasted vegetables to make a complete meal.

Storage

Store leftover hot honey chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat to maintain the sauce’s thick consistency and keep the chicken tender.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular honey instead of hot honey?

Yes, you can use regular honey, but the dish will be less spicy. To add heat, consider stirring in some chili flakes or hot sauce.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely. The chicken and sauce keep well in the fridge and taste even better the next day as the flavors meld. Just reheat gently before serving.

Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 781 reviews

Hot Honey Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish featuring tender chicken tenders cooked to golden perfection and coated in a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce. This recipe balances the tanginess of apple cider vinegar with the heat of hot honey, enhanced by garlic and a touch of Worcestershire sauce. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal that packs a punch of bold flavors.

• Author: Kai
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken

• 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (for cooking chicken)

Sauce

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil (for sauce)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/3 cup hot honey
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 thinly sliced green onions, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken tenders dry using a paper towel. Season both sides evenly with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper for optimal flavor.
2. Cook the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the seasoned chicken tenders. Cook without moving them until the bottom side is golden brown, about 4 minutes. Flip the chicken and continue cooking until the other side is golden brown and the internal temperature reads 165°F, about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and transfer to a plate; cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
3. Prepare the sauce: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the apple cider vinegar and hot honey, then bring the mixture to a low boil over medium-high heat.
4. Simmer the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly, about 5 to 8 minutes. This will concentrate the flavors and create a glossy sauce.
5. Finish and serve: Stir the Worcestershire sauce into the thickened sauce. Return the cooked chicken tenders to the skillet, spooning the hot honey sauce over them to coat thoroughly. Garnish with thinly sliced green onions if desired, and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

• Patting the chicken dry ensures a better sear and caramelization during cooking.
• Hot honey can be substituted with regular honey mixed with a pinch of cayenne pepper if unavailable.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheated gently.
• Optional green onions add a fresh, mild onion flavor and visual appeal.

Keywords: Hot Honey Chicken, spicy chicken, honey chicken tenders, quick chicken recipe, stovetop chicken, sweet and spicy sauce