There’s something incredibly comforting about a hearty bowl filled with bold flavors, a mix of textures, and just the right amount of heat. Hot honey chicken bowls are the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, making them an instant favorite for weeknight dinners or meal prepping. The combination of crispy, golden-brown chicken, a drizzle of sticky hot honey, and a bed of fluffy rice or quinoa creates a dish that’s as satisfying as it is delicious.
This recipe is one of those meals that feels like a warm hug after a long day. The hot honey adds a sweet kick that complements the crispy chicken beautifully, while the fresh toppings bring brightness and crunch. Whether you’re a fan of meal bowls for their convenience or their endless customization possibilities, this recipe is bound to become a go-to in your kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect balance of flavors – The spicy-sweet hot honey glaze takes simple crispy chicken to the next level.
- Great for meal prep – Make a batch ahead of time and enjoy delicious lunches or dinners all week long.
- Customizable – Serve it over rice, quinoa, or greens and add your favorite toppings to suit your taste.
- Quick and easy – With simple ingredients and easy steps, this is a great recipe for busy weeknights.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
- ½ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon butter
For Serving:
- Cooked rice or quinoa
- Sliced cucumbers
- Shredded carrots
- Avocado slices
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Bowls
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken into bite-sized pieces. This ensures even cooking and makes each bite perfectly crispy and flavorful.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. This mixture creates a crispy, golden coating on the chicken.
In another bowl, whisk the buttermilk and egg together. This helps the breading stick to the chicken while keeping it tender inside.
Dip each piece of chicken into the buttermilk mixture, then coat it in the flour mixture. Press the flour mixture onto the chicken to ensure a crispy coating. Set the coated pieces on a plate while you heat the oil.
Step 2: Fry the Chicken
In a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pot, heat about 1½ inches of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. To test if the oil is ready, drop a small piece of breading into the oil—if it sizzles and floats to the top, it’s good to go.
Fry the chicken in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 3: Make the Hot Honey Sauce
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the honey, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar, and butter. Stir until the butter is melted and the sauce is smooth. Taste and adjust the spice level if needed.
Drizzle the hot honey sauce over the crispy chicken, tossing gently to coat each piece. The sweet heat of the honey glaze pairs perfectly with the crunchy chicken.
Step 4: Assemble the Bowls
Now for the fun part—building your bowls! Start with a base of warm rice or quinoa, then top with crispy hot honey chicken. Add sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, and creamy avocado for freshness. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for a finishing touch.
Serve immediately and enjoy every delicious bite!
Helpful Tips
- For extra crispy chicken, let the breaded pieces rest for about 10 minutes before frying. This helps the coating stick better.
- Adjust the spice level by adding more or less cayenne and red pepper flakes to the hot honey sauce.
- Use an air fryer if you prefer a lighter version—just spray the breaded chicken with oil and air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Swap the base by using cauliflower rice, brown rice, or even a salad mix for a low-carb option.
- Double the sauce if you like extra drizzles of hot honey on your bowl.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Notes
- If you’re making this for meal prep, store the crispy chicken separately from the rice and toppings to keep everything fresh. Reheat the chicken in the oven or air fryer for best results.
- You can swap chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier texture.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 32g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fat: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 18g
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! Store the crispy chicken separately from the rice and toppings in an airtight container. Reheat the chicken in an air fryer or oven to keep it crispy before assembling your bowl.
What can I use instead of buttermilk?
If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes. This works as a great substitute!
Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?
Absolutely! Coat a baking sheet with oil and bake the breaded chicken at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. It won’t be as crispy as frying, but it will still taste great.
How spicy is the hot honey sauce?
The spice level is mild to medium, but you can adjust it by adding more or less cayenne and red pepper flakes.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigeration: Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze the cooked, uncoated chicken pieces for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, reheat in the oven and toss with hot honey sauce.
- Reheating: Reheat the chicken in an air fryer or oven at 375°F for about 5 minutes to restore crispiness.
Related Recipes
If you liked this recipe, you’ll definitely enjoy these other flavorful meals:
- Bang Bang Chicken Bowl
- Flavor-Packed Chicken Fajita Rice Bowl
- Hot Honey Chicken Bowls
- Korean Chicken Skewers
Conclusion
Hot honey chicken bowls are a perfect mix of crispy, sweet, and spicy flavors that come together in a satisfying meal. Whether you’re making them for a cozy dinner or prepping for the week ahead, this recipe is easy to customize and guaranteed to impress. Try it out and let the delicious combination of crispy chicken and sticky hot honey win you over!
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Hot Honey Chicken Bowls
Description
There’s something incredibly comforting about a hearty bowl filled with bold flavors, a mix of textures, and just the right amount of heat. Hot honey chicken bowls are the perfect balance of sweet and spicy, making them an instant favorite for weeknight dinners or meal prepping. The combination of crispy, golden-brown chicken, a drizzle of sticky hot honey, and a bed of fluffy rice or quinoa creates a dish that’s as satisfying as it is delicious.
This recipe is one of those meals that feels like a warm hug after a long day. The hot honey adds a sweet kick that complements the crispy chicken beautifully, while the fresh toppings bring brightness and crunch. Whether you’re a fan of meal bowls for their convenience or their endless customization possibilities, this recipe is bound to become a go-to in your kitchen.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
- ½ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon butter
For Serving:
- Cooked rice or quinoa
- Sliced cucumbers
- Shredded carrots
- Avocado slices
- Chopped green onions
- Sesame seeds
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken into bite-sized pieces. This ensures even cooking and makes each bite perfectly crispy and flavorful.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. This mixture creates a crispy, golden coating on the chicken.
In another bowl, whisk the buttermilk and egg together. This helps the breading stick to the chicken while keeping it tender inside.
Dip each piece of chicken into the buttermilk mixture, then coat it in the flour mixture. Press the flour mixture onto the chicken to ensure a crispy coating. Set the coated pieces on a plate while you heat the oil.
Step 2: Fry the Chicken
In a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pot, heat about 1½ inches of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. To test if the oil is ready, drop a small piece of breading into the oil—if it sizzles and floats to the top, it’s good to go.
Fry the chicken in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for about 4-5 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy. Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Step 3: Make the Hot Honey Sauce
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the honey, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar, and butter. Stir until the butter is melted and the sauce is smooth. Taste and adjust the spice level if needed.
Drizzle the hot honey sauce over the crispy chicken, tossing gently to coat each piece. The sweet heat of the honey glaze pairs perfectly with the crunchy chicken.
Stp 4: Assemble the Bowls
Now for the fun part—building your bowls! Start with a base of warm rice or quinoa, then top with crispy hot honey chicken. Add sliced cucumbers, shredded carrots, and creamy avocado for freshness. Sprinkle with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for a finishing touch.
Serve immediately and enjoy every delicious bite!
Notes
- If you’re making this for meal prep, store the crispy chicken separately from the rice and toppings to keep everything fresh. Reheat the chicken in the oven or air fryer for best results.
- You can swap chicken breasts for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier texture.