If you are searching for a dish that packs bold flavors, satisfying crunch, and just the right amount of sweet heat, look no further because this Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits Recipe will quickly become one of your favorites. The crispy fried chicken soaking in a spicy honey glaze sandwiched between soft, buttery biscuits offers a perfect harmony of textures and tastes that’s both comforting and exciting. This recipe combines simple ingredients with an irresistible twist, making it ideal for breakfast, brunch, or anytime you crave something truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits Recipe plays a crucial role, from the tenderizing buttermilk to the crispy coating and the rich, flaky biscuits. Together, they build layers of flavor and texture that make this dish utterly unforgettable.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts: Juicy and tender meat that serves as the star of the sandwich.
- Buttermilk: Adds tang and helps tenderize the chicken for juicy bites.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the coating for the fried chicken and the base for the biscuit dough.
- Paprika: Brings a smoky depth to the chicken’s crust.
- Garlic powder: Elevates savory notes in the seasoning blend.
- Salt and black pepper: Essential for seasoning both chicken and biscuits perfectly.
- Vegetable oil: For frying the chicken to a golden crisp.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Leaveners that create light, fluffy biscuits.
- Cold unsalted butter: Creates flaky layers in the biscuit dough.
- Honey: Forms the sweet base of the hot honey glaze.
- Red pepper flakes: Adds that lip-tingling heat to the honey glaze.
- Apple cider vinegar (optional): Introduces a tangy brightness to balance the sweetness and spice.
How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
Start by soaking your chicken in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes. This simple step makes a huge difference by tenderizing the meat and infusing it with subtle tanginess. If you have time, letting it marinate overnight will deepen the flavor and moisture, ensuring each bite is juicy and flavorful.
Step 2: Coat the Chicken
Mix the flour with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Take the chicken out of the buttermilk, allowing excess liquid to drip off, then dredge it thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture. This coating is critical for that satisfyingly crispy crust that contrasts beautifully with the tender meat inside.
Step 3: Fry the Chicken
Heat a generous amount of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat to get it hot but not smoking. Fry each chicken piece for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. After frying, set the chicken on paper towels to drain excess oil—this keeps your sandwich crisp without being greasy.
Step 4: Make the Biscuits
Combine the dry ingredients for the biscuits—flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt—in a large bowl. Cut in cold, cubed butter with a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add buttermilk gently, mixing just until combined to avoid tough biscuits. Roll out and cut into rounds before baking at 425°F (220°C) until tantalizingly golden and flaky. For a shortcut, store-bought biscuits can work, just bake as directed.
Step 5: Prepare the Hot Honey Glaze
Warm honey gently in a saucepan. Stir in red pepper flakes along with a pinch of salt. Adding apple cider vinegar is optional but recommended for that bright zing that balances the glaze’s sweetness and spice perfectly. Let it simmer briefly, then cool slightly—the glaze should be warm and gooey when drizzling.
Step 6: Assemble Your Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits Recipe
Slice the biscuits in half while warm, nestle a crispy piece of fried chicken on the bottom half, drizzle with a generous amount of hot honey glaze, and then cap it with the biscuit top. Serve immediately to enjoy the melty honey, crunchy chicken, and buttery biscuit all at once.
How to Serve Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives can add a burst of color and a fresh herbal note that cuts through the richness. Adding thin slices of pickles offers a delightful tang and crunch that balances the sweet and spicy flavors wonderfully.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with classic Southern sides like coleslaw, which brings cooling crunch and creaminess, or roasted sweet potato fries that echo the honey’s subtle sweetness while adding a satisfying texture contrast. For a lighter option, a fresh green salad with lemon vinaigrette can provide a bright, refreshing counterpoint.
Creative Ways to Present
For a crowd-pleaser, transform the sandwich into sliders using smaller biscuits and bite-sized chicken pieces. Alternatively, stack the components on a wooden board alongside bowls of extra hot honey glaze for drizzling. Adding a drizzle of spicy mayo or a smear of tangy mustard can also add new dimensions to this comforting classic.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover chicken and biscuits separately in airtight containers in the fridge. This helps maintain the biscuit’s texture and prevents the chicken from becoming soggy. Leftovers will keep well for up to 3 days and allow for quick sandwiches whenever hunger strikes.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked chicken pieces wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Biscuits freeze well before baking—shape them, freeze on a tray, then transfer to a bag for storage. Bake from frozen when ready for a fresh-baked treat.
Reheating
To reheat, warm the chicken in a toaster oven or regular oven to help preserve its crispy coating. Heat biscuits separately in a low oven or microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel to restore softness without drying out. Drizzle hot honey glaze freshly for the best flavor experience.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Absolutely! Chicken breasts work fine in this Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits Recipe, though thighs tend to retain more moisture and deliver a richer flavor. Just be careful not to overcook breasts to keep them juicy.
How spicy is the hot honey glaze?
The glaze has a balanced heat level—sweet from the honey with a gentle kick from red pepper flakes. You can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to make it milder or spicier, depending on your preference.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, by using gluten-free flour blends for both the coating and biscuits, you can adapt this recipe for gluten-free diets. Just be sure your baking powder and other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
Is it okay to use store-bought biscuits?
Definitely! Store-bought biscuits save time and still taste great. Homemade biscuits take it up a notch but either option works well for a quick, delicious meal.
How long does it take to prepare the whole recipe?
The full Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits Recipe takes about 50 minutes, including marinating chicken, frying, baking biscuits, and preparing the glaze. Marinating overnight will improve flavor but is not required.
Final Thoughts
This Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits Recipe is one of those special dishes that brings sheer joy with every bite. Whether you’re serving it for a cozy weekend brunch or impressing guests with bold, comforting flavors, it’s guaranteed to become a favorite in your kitchen. Don’t hesitate—grab your ingredients and get ready to indulge in this perfect blend of crispy, sweet, spicy, and buttery goodness.
Print
Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits recipe combines crispy, juicy fried chicken with fluffy homemade biscuits, drizzled with a sweet and spicy hot honey glaze. The buttermilk marinade tenderizes the chicken while the spicy-sweet honey drizzle adds a delightful kick, making it a perfect comfort food dish for any meal.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts, if preferred)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Biscuit Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
Hot Honey Sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1–2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (optional, for tanginess)
- Pinch of salt
Optional
- Store-bought biscuits (for convenience)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Marinate the chicken thighs or breasts in 1 cup buttermilk for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight, to tenderize the meat and enhance flavor.
- Coat the Chicken: In a shallow bowl, mix 1 cup flour, paprika, garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the coated chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
- Mix the Biscuit Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups flour, baking powder, baking soda, and 1/2 tsp salt until well combined.
- Cut in the Butter: Add cold cubed butter to the dry mix and cut in with a pastry cutter or fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces.
- Add Buttermilk: Pour 3/4 cup buttermilk into the bowl and gently stir just until combined, avoiding overmixing for tender biscuits.
- Shape and Bake the Biscuits: Turn dough onto a floured surface, knead lightly, and roll or pat to 1-inch thickness. Cut biscuits using a round cutter and place on a baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 12–15 minutes until golden brown. Alternatively, prepare store-bought biscuits as directed.
- Prepare the Hot Honey: Warm 1/2 cup honey in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir in red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar if using, and a pinch of salt. Simmer 1–2 minutes, then remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Assemble the Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits: Slice each warm biscuit in half. Place a piece of fried chicken on the bottom half, drizzle generously with hot honey, and top with the biscuit half. Serve immediately for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight intensifies flavor and tenderness.
- Adjust red pepper flakes in the hot honey to control spice level.
- For quicker preparation, store-bought biscuits can be used instead of homemade.
- Ensure oil is at medium-high heat before frying to get a crispy crust without greasy chicken.
- Do not overmix biscuit dough to keep biscuits light and fluffy.
- Use a thermometer to check chicken temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
