There’s something truly magical about Southern cooking—it’s hearty, flavorful, and made with so much love. This Southern Hot Honey Fried Chicken recipe is a perfect example of why Southern cuisine has captured the hearts of food lovers everywhere. Picture crispy, golden-brown chicken, lightly seasoned to perfection, and topped with a sweet-and-spicy hot honey drizzle. It’s comfort food at its finest—perfect for Sunday dinners, backyard barbecues, or whenever you need a meal that feels like a warm hug..
For many, fried chicken is more than just a meal. It’s steeped in tradition and memories, whether it’s a family recipe passed down through generations or the centerpiece of special gatherings. Growing up in the South (or visiting family there), you likely remember the sizzle of chicken frying in a cast-iron skillet and the smell wafting through the kitchen. This dish is not only a nod to those traditions but also a fun, modern twist with its irresistible hot honey topping. Sweet, spicy, crispy, and juicy—it’s all here.
Let’s dive into how to make your own Southern Hot Honey Fried Chicken that’s bound to become a new family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Crispy Perfection: The double-dredging process ensures the chicken is extra crispy with a golden-brown crust that stays crunchy even after adding the honey glaze.
- Sweet and Spicy Twist: The hot honey drizzle adds the perfect balance of sweetness and heat, elevating classic fried chicken to a new level.
- Versatile Dish: This fried chicken pairs beautifully with biscuits, mac and cheese, collard greens, or a simple salad. It’s great for casual weeknight dinners or celebratory feasts.
- Easy to Follow: While fried chicken might seem intimidating to make at home, this step-by-step recipe breaks it down so anyone can recreate that perfect Southern crunch.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 2 lbs chicken drumsticks or thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional, for extra heat)
- 3-4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Hot Honey Glaze:
- ½ cup honey
- 1-2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
How to Make Southern Hot Honey Fried Chicken:
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Start by prepping your chicken. Pat the drumsticks or thighs dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This helps the coating stick better. In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, eggs, and hot sauce. Add the chicken to this mixture, ensuring each piece is fully submerged. Cover and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours for extra tenderness and flavor).
Step 2: Prepare the Coating
In a shallow dish or large bowl, mix together the flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. This flour mixture is key to creating a flavorful, crispy crust.
Step 3: Dredge the Chicken
Remove the chicken pieces from the buttermilk mixture, letting the excess drip off. Coat each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coating. For extra crunch, double-dip by returning the chicken to the buttermilk mixture and coating it again in the flour.
Step 4: Heat the Oil
In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F. Use a deep-fry thermometer to maintain the temperature, as this is crucial for getting the perfect fry. If the oil is too hot, the chicken will burn on the outside and remain undercooked inside; too cool, and the chicken will absorb excess oil and become greasy.
Step 5: Fry the Chicken
Carefully place the chicken pieces into the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry each piece for about 12–15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a wire rack over a baking sheet to drain excess oil. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt while still hot.
Step 6: Make the Hot Honey Glaze
While the chicken cools slightly, prepare the hot honey glaze. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the honey, red pepper flakes, and apple cider vinegar. Stir until warmed through and well combined. Taste and adjust the heat level by adding more red pepper flakes if desired.
Step 7: Drizzle and Serve
Generously drizzle the hot honey over the fried chicken or serve it on the side for dipping. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired, and enjoy your crispy, sweet, and spicy masterpiece.
Helpful Tips:
- Don’t Skip the Marinating: The buttermilk marinade not only tenderizes the chicken but also helps the coating adhere better. For the best results, marinate for several hours or overnight.
- Keep It Crispy: To maintain that satisfying crunch, place the fried chicken on a wire rack instead of paper towels. This allows air to circulate and prevents the coating from becoming soggy.
- Control the Spice Level: If you’re not a fan of too much heat, you can reduce the cayenne in the coating and the red pepper flakes in the hot honey. On the other hand, if you love spice, add a little extra hot sauce to the buttermilk marinade or double the red pepper flakes.
Recipe Details:
- Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (including marinating time)
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Halal-friendly
Notes:
- For a slightly lighter version, you can use chicken breasts, but bone-in, skin-on chicken yields the juiciest results.
- Leftover chicken can be reheated in the oven at 375°F to restore some of its crispiness.
Nutritional Information:
Approximate per serving (based on 6 servings):
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Sodium: 800mg
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Absolutely! Simply replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, and you’re good to go.
2. Can I bake instead of frying?
Yes, but keep in mind that baking won’t yield the same level of crispiness. To bake, preheat your oven to 400°F, place the coated chicken on a wire rack over a baking sheet, and spray lightly with cooking oil. Bake for 40-50 minutes, flipping halfway through.
3. How can I store leftovers?
Store any leftover fried chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to maintain the crunch.
Storage Instructions:
- Refrigerator: Store cooled chicken in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: To freeze, wrap each piece individually in foil and store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven straight from frozen for best results.
Related Recipes:
If you loved this recipe, you’ll enjoy these other Southern classics:
Conclusion:
There’s nothing quite like biting into a piece of crispy, golden-fried chicken drizzled with spicy-sweet hot honey. This Southern Hot Honey Fried Chicken recipe brings all the comfort and bold flavors you’d expect from Southern cooking, with an exciting twist that will leave you craving more. Whether you’re cooking for your family or impressing dinner guests, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit. So, gather your ingredients, warm up your skillet, and get ready to create a dish that’s as memorable as it is delicious. Happy frying!
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Southern Hot Honey Fried Chicken
Description
There’s something truly magical about Southern cooking—it’s hearty, flavorful, and made with so much love. This Southern Hot Honey Fried Chicken recipe is a perfect example of why Southern cuisine has captured the hearts of food lovers everywhere. Picture crispy, golden-brown chicken, lightly seasoned to perfection, and topped with a sweet-and-spicy hot honey drizzle. It’s comfort food at its finest—perfect for Sunday dinners, backyard barbecues, or whenever you need a meal that feels like a warm hug.
For many, fried chicken is more than just a meal. It’s steeped in tradition and memories, whether it’s a family recipe passed down through generations or the centerpiece of special gatherings. Growing up in the South (or visiting family there), you likely remember the sizzle of chicken frying in a cast-iron skillet and the smell wafting through the kitchen. This dish is not only a nod to those traditions but also a fun, modern twist with its irresistible hot honey topping. Sweet, spicy, crispy, and juicy—it’s all here.
Let’s dive into how to make your own Southern Hot Honey Fried Chicken that’s bound to become a new family favorite.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken drumsticks or thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional, for extra heat)
- 3–4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Hot Honey Glaze:
- ½ cup honey
- 1–2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Chicken
Start by prepping your chicken. Pat the drumsticks or thighs dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This helps the coating stick better. In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk, eggs, and hot sauce. Add the chicken to this mixture, ensuring each piece is fully submerged. Cover and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours for extra tenderness and flavor).
Step 2: Prepare the Coating
In a shallow dish or large bowl, mix together the flour, cornstarch, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. This flour mixture is key to creating a flavorful, crispy crust.
Step 3: Dredge the Chicken
Remove the chicken pieces from the buttermilk mixture, letting the excess drip off. Coat each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even coating. For extra crunch, double-dip by returning the chicken to the buttermilk mixture and coating it again in the flour.
Step 4: Heat the Oil
In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F. Use a deep-fry thermometer to maintain the temperature, as this is crucial for getting the perfect fry. If the oil is too hot, the chicken will burn on the outside and remain undercooked inside; too cool, and the chicken will absorb excess oil and become greasy.
Step 5: Fry the Chicken
Carefully place the chicken pieces into the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry each piece for about 12–15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature should reach 165°F). Remove the chicken from the oil and place it on a wire rack over a baking sheet to drain excess oil. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt while still hot.
Step 6: Make the Hot Honey Glaze
While the chicken cools slightly, prepare the hot honey glaze. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the honey, red pepper flakes, and apple cider vinegar. Stir until warmed through and well combined. Taste and adjust the heat level by adding more red pepper flakes if desired.
Step 7: Drizzle and Serve
Generously drizzle the hot honey over the fried chicken or serve it on the side for dipping. Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh herbs if desired, and enjoy your crispy, sweet, and spicy masterpiece.
Notes
- For a slightly lighter version, you can use chicken breasts, but bone-in, skin-on chicken yields the juiciest results.
- Leftover chicken can be reheated in the oven at 375°F to restore some of its crispiness.