If you’re craving a snack that’s perfectly crispy, irresistibly flavorful, and just the right mix of sweet and spicy, then this Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe will quickly become your new obsession. Tender bites of chicken are coated in a seasoned batter, fried to a golden crisp, and then luxuriously drizzled with a fiery honey glaze that hits all the right notes. This recipe is a delightful twist on a classic comfort food that’s great for sharing or enjoying all to yourself on any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting your ingredients right is the first step to nailing this recipe. Each component plays a key role—from the buttermilk that keeps the chicken juicy, to the vibrant spices bringing a wonderful depth of flavor, and the hot honey sauce that ties everything together with just the right kick.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Choose fresh chicken cut into bite-sized pieces for tender, even cooking.
- Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning at multiple stages for balanced flavor throughout.
- Freshly cracked black pepper: Adds a mild heat and complexity to the chicken.
- All-purpose flour: Creates that crispy, golden crust we all love in perfect amounts.
- Garlic powder: A subtle pungency that complements the sweetness and heat.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the spice and enhances browning.
- Cayenne pepper: Brings a gentle, lingering warmth without overpowering.
- Paprika: Offers smoky notes and vibrant color.
- Egg: Helps bind the batter together for an even coating.
- Buttermilk: Ensures juicy, tender chicken and adds a slight tang.
- Baking soda: Lightens the batter for ultimate crispiness.
- Vegetable or peanut oil: Perfect for frying due to high smoke points.
- Salted butter: Forms the rich base of the hot honey sauce.
- Honey: Provides the sweet counterbalance to the spicy sauce.
- Sriracha hot sauce: The star of the sauce, delivering that signature zesty heat.
How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Start by sprinkling 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper lightly over your chicken pieces. This initial seasoning step creates a solid flavor foundation right at the start so every nugget is seasoned all the way through.
Step 2: Prepare the Dry Coating
In a shallow bowl, mix 1½ cups of all-purpose flour with garlic powder, sugar, cayenne pepper, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper. This flavorful dry coating will give your nuggets an addictive crunch and vibrant spice with each bite.
Step 3: Make the Wet Batter and Remaining Dry Mixture
Whisk together the egg and buttermilk in another bowl. Next, add the remaining flour, garlic powder, sugar, paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and baking soda. This smooth batter is what keeps the chicken moist, tender, and helps the dry coating stick perfectly.
Step 4: Coat the Chicken
Submerge the chicken pieces in the buttermilk mixture, tossing gently to coat each piece thoroughly. This step ensures the nuggets will be juicy on the inside and perfect for breading.
Step 5: Heat the Oil
Set up your frying station by placing a cooling rack over a rimmed baking sheet to drain. Heat your vegetable or peanut oil in a deep, heavy pot until it reaches 325 degrees Fahrenheit, the ideal temperature for frying chicken nuggets to golden perfection without burning.
Step 6: Bread and Fry the Chicken
One by one, lift a piece of chicken from the wet batter, let the excess drip off, then dredge in the dry flour mixture. Press gently so every corner is coated. Fry in batches for 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden brown and cooked through to 165 degrees Fahrenheit internally. Drain on your cooling rack to keep crispy.
Step 7: Make the Hot Honey Sauce
While the nuggets fry, melt the salted butter over medium-low heat, then whisk in honey and Sriracha until smooth and warm. This luscious sauce provides the perfect blend of heat and sweetness that gives this Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe its signature flavor.
Step 8: Serve It Up
Transfer your crispy nuggets to a platter and either drizzle with the hot honey sauce or serve it on the side for dipping. Either way, prepare yourself for an unforgettable bite sensation!
How to Serve Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro adds a fresh pop of color and brightness. A dusting of extra paprika or flaky sea salt right before serving elevates the visual appeal and layers of flavor.
Side Dishes
Pair these nuggets with crunchy slaw, creamy mashed potatoes, or even some crispy fries to keep things classic. For something lighter, try a crisp green salad with citrus vinaigrette to balance the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve your Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe on wooden skewers for easy party bites. Or set up a dipping bar with various sauces like ranch, blue cheese, or even a cooling cucumber yogurt dip to let everyone customize their experience.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover nuggets in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To keep their crispiness, avoid stacking them tightly and use parchment paper to separate layers.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked nuggets by laying them out on a baking sheet to flash freeze until firm, then transferring to a resealable freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 1 month, perfect for an anytime craving.
Reheating
For best results, reheat nuggets in a preheated oven at 375 degrees Fahrenheit on a wire rack to restore their crispy texture. Avoid microwaving, as it tends to make the coating soggy.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs provide a bit more fat and can make the nuggets extra juicy, though the cooking time might be slightly longer to ensure they’re cooked through.
Is there a substitute for buttermilk?
If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes. It mimics the tang and tenderizing effect of buttermilk perfectly.
How spicy is the hot honey sauce?
The sauce offers a balanced medium heat from the Sriracha, rounded out by the sweetness of honey. Feel free to adjust the Sriracha amount to dial up or down the spice level to your liking.
Can I bake the nuggets instead of frying?
Yes, baking is an option for a lighter version. Coat the chicken as directed and bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway to ensure crispiness.
What are some good dipping sauces to complement these nuggets?
While the hot honey sauce is delightful on its own, ranch, blue cheese, honey mustard, or even a cooled garlic aioli make wonderful companions to add variety and extra flavor.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly magical about the crispy crunch of these chicken nuggets paired with that fiery-sweet hot honey sauce—it’s comfort food with a thrilling twist. I can’t wait for you to try this Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe, because it’s hands-down one of those dishes that brings joy to every bite and makes any day feel a little more special.
Print
Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets combine crispy, perfectly fried chicken pieces with a sweet and spicy hot honey drizzle, making for a deliciously addictive appetizer or meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- ¾ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper, plus more to taste
Dry Coating (First Part)
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Wet Batter and Remaining Dry Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Frying
- 2 quarts vegetable or peanut oil, for frying
Hot Honey Sauce
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup Sriracha hot sauce
Instructions
- Season the chicken: Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of kosher salt and black pepper to taste over the cut chicken pieces, ensuring they are evenly coated for well-seasoned bites.
- Prepare dry coating (first part): In a shallow bowl, combine 1 ½ cups of flour, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons sugar, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, 3 teaspoons kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper thoroughly to create the first breading mixture.
- Prepare wet batter and remaining dry ingredients: In another shallow bowl, beat the egg with buttermilk until smooth. Whisk in the remaining ¾ cup flour, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon sugar, ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and baking soda until fully combined.
- Coat the chicken: Add the chicken pieces to the buttermilk mixture, tossing well to coat each piece completely.
- Heat the oil: Place a cooling rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Fill a large, heavy-bottomed pot with vegetable oil and attach a deep-fry thermometer. Heat the oil over medium-high heat to 325°F, ensuring steady temperature for frying.
- Bread and fry the chicken: Remove one piece of chicken from the wet batter, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge it in the dry flour mixture, pressing gently to coat well. Carefully add chicken pieces in batches to the hot oil, frying for 3-4 minutes and turning halfway through until golden brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on the cooling rack. Maintain oil temperature at 325°F between batches.
- Make the hot honey sauce: While frying, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in honey and Sriracha until smooth and heated through, creating a sweet and spicy glaze.
- Serve: Transfer the fried chicken nuggets to a serving platter and either drizzle with the hot honey sauce or serve it on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Ensure the oil temperature remains steady at 325°F to achieve crispy, non-greasy nuggets.
- Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper or Sriracha to modify the spiciness according to preference.
- Use a thermometer to accurately check the internal temperature of chicken for safety and juiciness.
- The cooling rack prevents sogginess by allowing excess oil to drain away.
- This recipe works best with boneless, skinless chicken breasts, but thighs can be substituted for a juicier bite if preferred.
![Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bars [50 Minutes] Recipe](https://slsrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/0_0-1747914219695-768x960.webp "Blueberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bars [50 Minutes] Recipe 10")
