Description
This Hot Honey Chicken recipe features crispy, air-fried chicken breasts coated in a spicy and sweet hot honey sauce. Marinated in buttermilk for tenderness and seasoned with smoky spices, the chicken is cooked to golden perfection and finished with a buttery, flavorful sauce that adds a delicious kick. Perfect for a quick and flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Hot Honey Sauce
- ¼ cup hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a bowl and cover them with buttermilk. Refrigerate the bowl for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight to ensure the chicken becomes tender and juicy.
- Prepare the Flour Mixture: In a shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture to create a seasoned coating.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Place the coated chicken pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer and lightly spray with cooking spray. Cook the chicken for 12-15 minutes or until the exterior is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through.
- Make the Hot Honey Sauce: While the chicken cooks, combine hot sauce, honey, unsalted butter, chili powder, and garlic powder in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter fully melts and the sauce is smooth and well blended.
- Coat Chicken with Sauce: Once the chicken is cooked, drizzle the hot honey sauce evenly over the pieces still in the air fryer basket. Spread the sauce to fully coat the chicken. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes so the sauce becomes bubbly and caramelized, enhancing the flavor.
- Serve: Remove the chicken from the air fryer, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve immediately while hot and flavorful.
Notes
- For best results, marinate the chicken overnight to maximize tenderness and flavor absorption.
- If you don’t have an air fryer, you can bake the chicken in a 400°F (200°C) oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce and honey in the sauce to suit your preferred spice and sweetness levels.
- Use a cooking spray or lightly oil the air fryer basket to prevent sticking and help achieve a crispy crust.
- This recipe pairs well with sides like coleslaw, roasted vegetables, or a fresh green salad.
