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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/hot-honey-chicken-recipe/