Name: Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1 lb chicken breast, diced into 1-2 inch pieces; ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper, or to taste; 2 tablespoons corn starch, or more as needed; 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic herb butter, or sesame oil; 3 tablespoons hot honey; 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 2 cloves garlic, minced (or ¼ teaspoon garlic powder); 1 tablespoon lime juice (from ½ lime, or lemon); Chopped scallions for garnish; Cooked rice; Steamed veggies

Jump to Recipe

If you’re looking for a meal that’s equal parts comforting, feisty, and delicious, you absolutely have to try Hot Honey Chicken! This dish strikes the perfect balance between crispy, tender chicken bites and a sticky-sweet, spicy glaze that clings to every piece. With its irresistible combo of fiery hot honey, zippy lime, and a touch of soy sauce umami, it’s the kind of weeknight dinner that feels anything but ordinary. Plus, it comes together so quickly that you might just add it to your permanent dinner rotation.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The best part about Hot Honey Chicken? The simple ingredient list! Each item plays an important role, whether it’s bringing bold flavor, crunch, or that crave-worthy saucy finish. Here’s what you’ll need to make this dish absolutely sing.

Chicken Breast: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breast for quick, tender bites that soak up the flavorful sauce beautifully.
Salt and Pepper: A little seasoning up front helps every layer of flavor pop, no matter your spiciness level.
Corn Starch: This is the secret to that light, golden crust and helps the sauce cling to each juicy chicken piece.
Olive Oil: For searing, but feel free to use garlic herb butter or sesame oil for a special spin.
Hot Honey: The star of the show! It adds sweet heat and sticky magic you won’t want to skip.
Soy Sauce: Deepens the flavor and balances the sweetness of the honey with subtle saltiness.
Garlic: Brings just the right amount of punch—freshly minced or powdered if you’re in a hurry.
Lime Juice: Just a splash brightens everything up; lemon works well in a pinch too.
Chopped Scallions: For a crisp, colorful garnish with a hint of onion flavor.
Cooked Rice & Steamed Veggies: These round out the meal and soak up every drop of that delicious sauce.

How to Make Hot Honey Chicken

Step 1: Prep and Season the Chicken

Start by dicing your chicken breast into bite-sized 1-2 inch pieces, ensuring everything cooks evenly. Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper, then toss it in a good amount of corn starch. You want the chicken pieces to have a light, even dusting, which sets you up for that dreamy, golden exterior. If the pieces soak up all the starch, just sprinkle on a little more until they look lightly coated.

Step 2: Mix Up the Hot Honey Sauce

This is where the magic starts! In a small bowl, mix together the hot honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and a splash of lime juice. Make sure the honey is fully incorporated—the goal is a glossy, unified sauce ready to pour over your chicken. If your honey is thick, give it a good stir so it blends nicely with the other ingredients.

Step 3: Sear the Chicken

Grab a large skillet and heat it over high heat. Add olive oil (or garlic herb butter, or sesame oil for an extra flavor boost). Once the pan is hot, add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Let them cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes to achieve that perfect golden crust, then flip and stir-fry until they’re cooked through—juicy and irresistible!

Step 4: Add the Sauce and Finish Cooking

Once your chicken is golden and cooked, pour in that hot honey sauce. Stir everything together, allowing the sauce to coat every morsel. Turn the heat down to low and give it another minute or two for the sauce to thicken up and become irresistibly sticky. At this point, your kitchen smells incredible, and it’s almost time to eat!

Step 5: Option—Saucy Veggies on the Side

If you want to level up your meal with some vibrant, saucy veggies, simply remove the chicken from the skillet and keep any extra sauce behind. Steam up a batch of mixed vegetables or broccoli until still crisp and green, then toss them in the skillet with the sauce. Give them a quick stir fry for just a couple of minutes. Serve your veggies right alongside the Hot Honey Chicken over a bed of fluffy rice.

How to Serve Hot Honey Chicken

Garnishes

Finishing touches make a world of difference! A shower of chopped scallions gives your Hot Honey Chicken a pop of color and bite. For a little extra sweetness and heat, don’t be shy—drizzle a final swirl of hot honey over the top before serving. You could even add a sprinkle of sesame seeds or a pinch of chili flakes if you love things spicy.

Side Dishes

Hot Honey Chicken truly shines when paired with fluffy white rice to catch all those crunchy, saucy bits. For a balanced meal, include a heap of vibrant steamed veggies like broccoli, snow peas, or thinly sliced bell peppers. These sides bring color, crunch, and a little extra nutrition to the plate, making dinner even more satisfying.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re feeding a crowd or just want to mix things up, try serving your Hot Honey Chicken in lettuce cups for a fun, portable twist. Or turn it into a rice bowl, adding chopped cucumber and shredded carrots for freshness. You can even pile it onto a toasted roll with some creamy slaw for an unbelievable sandwich. However you serve it, the sweet heat steals the show.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftovers (lucky you!), allow the Hot Honey Chicken to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days, and the flavors deepen as they sit.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze Hot Honey Chicken for those busy nights. Just portion the cooled chicken into freezer-safe containers or zip bags, and freeze for up to 2 months. For best results, freeze the chicken and rice separately, so the rice doesn’t get soggy.

Reheating

To reheat, microwave your Hot Honey Chicken in short bursts, stirring between each, until heated through. Or, warm it gently in a skillet with a splash of water, which helps revive the sticky-sweet sauce without drying out the chicken.

FAQs

How spicy is Hot Honey Chicken?

It’s just spicy enough to tingle your tastebuds, but the heat level depends on your hot honey and any extras like chili flakes. You can always dial it back with a milder honey or add more hot sauce if you love a real kick!

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are a bit more forgiving and juicy, and they soak up the hot honey glaze fabulously. Just keep the pieces bite-sized for even cooking.

What can I use instead of hot honey?

If you don’t have hot honey on hand, you can mix regular honey with your favorite hot sauce or a pinch of chili flakes for a similar sweet-and-spicy effect. Taste and adjust until it’s just right for you!

Is this Hot Honey Chicken gluten-free?

As long as you use a gluten-free soy sauce or tamari, this recipe is totally gluten-free. Just check your labels and you’re good to go!

Can I make this Hot Honey Chicken ahead of time?

You can! Cook it ahead, cool completely, and store as directed above. It reheats wonderfully, and the flavors sometimes get even better after a day in the fridge.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a little sweet, a little heat, and a whole lot of flavor, you’re going to love Hot Honey Chicken. It’s quick, fuss-free, and endlessly customizable—perfect for busy nights or impressing your favorite people at the dinner table. Give it a try, and don’t forget to pass along the recipe to anyone who needs a new dinner obsession!

Hot Honey Chicken Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 5 reviews

Author: Noah
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

Print Recipe

Description

A delicious and easy-to-make hot honey chicken recipe that combines sweet, spicy, and savory flavors in a perfect balance. Tender chicken pieces coated in a crispy cornstarch crust, then tossed in a flavorful hot honey sauce. Serve over rice with steamed veggies for a complete meal.

Instructions

Season the Chicken: Lightly season the diced chicken with salt and pepper. Coat the chicken with cornstarch until lightly dusted.
Prepare the Sauce: Mix hot honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and lime juice in a bowl.
Cook the Chicken: Cook the chicken in a skillet until golden brown and fully cooked.
Add Sauce: Pour the soy honey sauce over the chicken and stir fry briefly to combine.
Serve: Enjoy the hot honey chicken over rice, garnished with scallions and extra hot honey.
Optional: Stir fry steamed veggies in the remaining sauce and serve alongside the chicken.