Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits Recipe
Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits are a deliciously sweet, spicy, and savory treat perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner. This recipe combines juicy, crispy fried chicken fillets coated in a homemade hot honey sauce, sandwiched between buttery, fluffy biscuits. Each bite is a flavorful explosion of tender chicken, a crunchy coating, a spicy-sweet glaze, and a soft, warm biscuit.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect Balance of Sweet and Spicy: The hot honey sauce provides a delightful balance that complements the savory fried chicken.
- Homemade Biscuits: Freshly made biscuits give a soft, buttery contrast to the crispy chicken.
- Versatile Dish: Great for any time of day, and the hot honey can be adjusted for more or less heat.
- Comfort Food Classic: Combines the familiar flavors of fried chicken and honey, with a twist!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Biscuits
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cut in Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, mix until the butter pieces are about the size of peas.
- Add Buttermilk: Pour in the cold buttermilk and stir just until the dough comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the biscuits tough.
- Shape the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Pat it down gently into a 1-inch thick rectangle, and fold it in half. Repeat this process 2-3 times to create flaky layers.
- Cut Biscuits: Use a biscuit cutter or a glass to cut out rounds from the dough, pressing straight down (avoid twisting, as it can affect rising). Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake: Bake the biscuits for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the buttermilk and hot sauce. Place the chicken fillets in the mixture, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour.
- Prepare the Coating: In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, allowing any excess to drip off. Dredge each fillet in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to ensure the coating sticks well.
- Heat the Oil: In a heavy skillet or deep pan, heat about 1 inch of oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- Fry the Chicken: Carefully place the chicken fillets in the hot oil, frying for about 4-5 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and let drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 3: Make the Hot Honey Sauce
- Combine Ingredients: In a small saucepan, combine the honey, hot sauce, butter, and red pepper flakes.
- Heat and Stir: Warm the mixture over low heat, stirring until the butter is melted and everything is well blended. Be careful not to let it boil.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the sauce and adjust the amount of hot sauce or honey as needed to reach your preferred balance of sweetness and heat.
Step 4: Assemble the Biscuits
- Split the Biscuits: Slice each biscuit in half horizontally.
- Add Chicken: Place a fried chicken fillet on the bottom half of each biscuit.
- Drizzle with Hot Honey: Generously drizzle the hot honey sauce over each chicken piece.
- Optional Toppings: Add pickles, arugula, or other toppings of your choice, then place the top half of the biscuit on top.
Tips for the Best Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits
- Keep Ingredients Cold: Cold butter and buttermilk are essential for fluffy biscuits.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Overmixing can lead to dense biscuits, so handle the dough gently.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Adjust the Spice Level: Control the heat by adjusting the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes in the honey sauce.
Recipe Variations
- Spicy Chicken Biscuit: Add cayenne pepper to the flour coating for even spicier chicken.
- Maple Honey Chicken: Swap honey for maple syrup in the sauce for a unique, rich sweetness.
- Cheesy Biscuits: Add shredded cheese to the biscuit dough for a cheesy twist.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour for the biscuits and coating if you need a gluten-free version.
- Honey Mustard: Add a tablespoon of Dijon mustard to the hot honey sauce for a tangy flavor.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with Coleslaw: Creamy coleslaw on the side complements the sweet and spicy flavors perfectly.
- Add French Fries or Tater Tots: A side of crispy potatoes completes this comfort meal.
- Fresh Fruit Salad: Lighten up the meal with a refreshing fruit salad.
- Sweet Potato Wedges: The natural sweetness of sweet potatoes goes well with the hot honey sauce.
Storing and Reheating
- Refrigerate: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warm, or in the microwave for a quick heat-up.
- Freezing: If freezing, wrap individual chicken fillets in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven until heated through and crisp.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I make the biscuits in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the biscuits in advance and reheat them in the oven just before serving.
2. Is there a non-fried option?
You can bake or air-fry the chicken fillets instead. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy.
3. How can I make the hot honey sauce spicier?
Add more hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the honey sauce to increase the heat level.
4. Can I use store-bought biscuits?
Yes, if you’re in a time crunch, store-bought biscuits work well as a shortcut.
5. How can I make the chicken extra crispy?
For added crispiness, double-dip the chicken by dredging it in the flour mixture, dipping it back in the buttermilk, and dredging it in the flour again.
Conclusion
Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits are a flavorful, satisfying dish that’s easy to make yet impressive enough for any occasion. The combination of juicy chicken, flaky biscuits, and a sweet-spicy hot honey sauce creates a memorable meal that will have everyone coming back for seconds. With customizable spice levels and endless side dish options, this dish is versatile and perfect for gatherings, brunches, or a cozy dinner. Enjoy!
Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits Recipe
Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits are a deliciously sweet, spicy, and savory treat perfect for brunch, lunch, or dinner. This recipe combines juicy, crispy fried chicken fillets coated in a homemade hot honey sauce, sandwiched between buttery, fluffy biscuits. Each bite is a flavorful explosion of tender chicken, a crunchy coating, a spicy-sweet glaze, and a soft, warm biscuit.
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half horizontally (to make 4 thin pieces)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Oil for frying
- For the Hot Honey:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 tbsp hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot or your preferred variety)
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- For the Biscuits:
- 4 large buttermilk biscuits (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken:
In a bowl, combine chicken pieces with buttermilk, a pinch of salt, and pepper. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours for more flavor. - Prepare the Coating:
In a shallow dish, mix the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. - Make the Hot Honey:
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes. Stir until warm and well-mixed. Set aside. - Coat and Fry the Chicken:
Heat about 1 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Remove each chicken piece from the buttermilk, letting the excess drip off, then dredge it in the flour mixture, pressing to adhere.
Carefully place each coated piece in the hot oil and fry for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. - Prepare Biscuits:
Warm the biscuits according to package instructions or your recipe. Brush with melted butter for added flavor. - Assemble the Chicken Biscuits:
Slice each biscuit in half. Place a piece of fried chicken on the bottom half of each biscuit. Drizzle generously with the hot honey. Top with the other biscuit half. - Serve:
Serve hot, and enjoy the sweet and spicy kick of these irresistible hot honey chicken biscuits!