Description
This Hot Honey Chicken recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts marinated in buttermilk and coated in a spiced flour mixture, then air-fried to crispy perfection. The chicken is generously coated with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce made from hot sauce, honey, butter, and seasonings, resulting in a flavorful dish that balances heat and sweetness beautifully. Garnished with fresh parsley, this recipe serves 4 and is perfect for a quick, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half
- 1 cup buttermilk
Coating
- 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 for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight to tenderize and flavor the meat.
- Prepare the Coating: In a shallow dish, mix together the flour, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, shaking off excess, then dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, ensuring even coating.
- Air Fry the Chicken: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the coated chicken pieces in a single layer in the air fryer basket and lightly spray them with cooking spray. Cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway if necessary, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Make the Hot Honey Sauce: While the chicken cooks, combine the hot sauce, honey, unsalted butter, chili powder, and garlic powder in a small saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the butter has melted and the sauce is smooth and well blended.
- Coat the Chicken with Sauce: Drizzle the hot honey sauce evenly over the cooked chicken pieces still in the air fryer basket. Spread the sauce over the chicken, then cook for an additional 2-3 minutes to allow the sauce to bubble and caramelize slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the chicken from the air fryer, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve hot for the best flavor experience.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken longer (overnight) will yield juicier and more flavorful results.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce and honey in the sauce to modify the heat and sweetness levels according to your taste.
- Cooking times may vary depending on the size of chicken pieces and specific air fryer models; always check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- You can substitute butter with a dairy-free alternative to make this recipe dairy-free.
