Get ready to meet your new favorite summer dinner: Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad. This recipe combines juicy, beautifully charred chicken thighs glazed with sticky hot honey, paired perfectly with a crunchy, colorful corn salad bursting with ripe tomatoes, creamy avocado, and fresh cilantro. Every bite balances smoky heat and sweet bursts of flavor, making it the kind of dish you’ll crave long after the grill cools down. Quick enough for a weeknight and dazzling enough for a gathering, Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad truly brings a celebration of the season to your plate.

Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Let’s talk about how delightfully unfussy yet essential these ingredients are. Each one plays a starring role, layering on bold flavors, vibrant textures, and eye-popping color. Use the freshest produce you can find—every element matters for making Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad irresistible!

Boneless skinless chicken thighs (1 1/2 lbs): These cook up juicy and tender, soaking in all those bold spices and hot honey.
Olive oil (2 tablespoons): Helps the spices cling to the chicken while keeping everything luscious on the grill.
Smoked paprika (1 teaspoon): Adds depth and a whiff of smokiness that’s a perfect match for summer grilling.
Garlic powder (1/2 teaspoon): Brings in rich, mouthwatering flavor without the fuss of mincing fresh garlic.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Essential for boosting all the savory goodness in the chicken and salad.
Black pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Rounds out the spice blend with a gentle, peppery warmth.
Hot honey (1/2 cup): The magic ingredient—sweet heat that glazes the chicken with a sticky, crave-worthy finish.
Fresh corn (4 ears, husked): Grilled until caramelized and smoky, these kernels are the heart of the salad.
Cherry tomatoes (1 cup, halved): Juicy, sweet pops of color that brighten every bite.
Red onion (1/2 small, finely diced): Adds tangy crunch and a bit of bite to balance the sweetness.
Avocado (1, diced): Creamy and mellow, it gives the salad instant richness.
Fresh chopped cilantro (1/4 cup): Lends an herbal zing that lifts the whole dish.
Lime (juice of 1): Zippy citrus notes bring all the flavors together in the salad.
Salt and pepper to taste: Don’t skip the final seasoning—it’s the finishing touch your salad deserves.

How to Make Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

Start by tossing your chicken thighs in a large bowl with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Don’t be shy about working that seasoning in—this mixture is the first layer of big flavor that’ll have everyone reaching for seconds. Make sure each thigh gets beautifully coated and let them sit while your grill heats up to allow the flavors to soak in.

Step 2: Fire Up the Grill

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Once hot, lay the seasoned chicken thighs directly on the grates. Cook for about 5 to 6 minutes per side, flipping only once so you get gorgeous char marks. The chicken should be fully cooked and slightly smoky, but still juicy inside. Trust the process—patience pays off here!

Step 3: Glaze with Hot Honey

Here’s where things get magical! In the last two minutes of grilling, brush the chicken generously with hot honey on both sides. Watch as it bubbles and caramelizes, transforming into a sticky glaze with a gentle heat that’s impossible to resist. Keep a close eye to prevent burning and let the honey create the perfect glossy finish.

Step 4: Rest the Chicken

As tempting as it is to dive right in, take the chicken off the grill and let it rest for five minutes. This crucial step lets all those flavorful juices redistribute, so each bite is intensely moist and tasty.

Step 5: Grill the Corn

While the chicken is resting, pop your husked corn ears on the grill. Turn them every couple of minutes for about 8 to 10 minutes, until they’re lightly charred and feeling toasty. Let them cool just enough to handle, then use a sharp knife to slice off those irresistibly smoky-sweet kernels.

Step 6: Toss the Sweet Corn Salad

In a large mixing bowl, combine the charred corn kernels, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, creamy avocado, and fresh cilantro. Drizzle the salad with fresh-squeezed lime juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss gently so everything stays bright and beautiful but well mixed.

Step 7: Serve and Savor

Arrange the Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad on a large platter, either slicing the chicken and fanning it over the salad or laying them side by side. Every forkful is a parade of color, texture, and flavor—a true showstopper for your table.

How to Serve Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad

Garnishes

For extra flair, sprinkle additional chopped cilantro or thinly sliced green onions over the chicken and salad. If you like a hit of heat, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a few jalapeño slices will do the trick. A final squeeze of lime brightens every element and makes it pop both visually and flavor-wise.

Side Dishes

While Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad can absolutely stand alone, it plays nicely with fluffy rice, grilled bread, or a chilled quinoa salad. On balmy days, serve with a cool pitcher of iced tea or a citrusy white wine to complete the meal in ultimate summer style.

Creative Ways to Present

Try assembling this dish as a build-your-own bowl with the salad as a base and sliced chicken on top for a fun, interactive vibe. For picnics or potlucks, serve everything family-style on a big board for easy, communal eating. Or, pile the chicken and salad into warm tortillas for vibrant tacos everyone will love.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover chicken and salad in separate airtight containers in the fridge. The chicken stays flavorful and moist for up to 3 days, while the salad is best enjoyed within 24 hours to keep the vegetables and avocado perky and fresh.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze the hot honey chicken for later! Slice or portion the cooled chicken and freeze in a zip-top bag for up to 2 months. The corn salad doesn’t freeze well due to the avocado and tomatoes, so prep fresh when you’re ready to serve again.

Reheating

To reheat the chicken, cover and warm gently in a 325°F oven or in a skillet over low heat until hot throughout. If you have extra hot honey, brush it on after reheating for a fresh burst of flavor. For the salad, just bring it to room temperature, or add a squeeze of fresh lime and extra herbs to revive its brightness.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Absolutely! You can swap in boneless, skinless chicken breasts—just be mindful to not overcook them, as they tend to dry out faster than thighs. Slice thicker breasts for quicker, even grilling and baste with hot honey in the last couple of minutes as you would with thighs.

What is hot honey, and can I make my own?

Hot honey is simply honey infused with chili or hot pepper for a spicy-sweet kick. You can buy it in stores or whip up a quick batch at home by gently warming honey with a pinch of red pepper flakes or your preferred chili and letting it steep.

Is there a way to make this less spicy?

Of course! Try using regular honey instead of hot honey, or use just a light brushing on the chicken. The rest of Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad will still shine with summery flavors, minus the heat.

How do I grill if I don’t have an outdoor grill?

No worries! Use a stovetop grill pan or even a heavy skillet. You’ll still get lovely char and smoky flavor with a hot cast-iron pan. For the corn, a dry skillet or even broiling in your oven works well, too.

Can I prep anything ahead to save time?

Yes! Mix the spice blend and marinate the chicken up to a day in advance, and pre-chop your veggies (except avocado, which is best diced fresh). The hot honey glaze can be made ahead as well, so you can focus on grilling when dinnertime rolls around.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a meal that transforms summer ingredients into edible sunshine, Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad delivers every single time. This dish is as fun to make as it is to eat, and perfect for sharing with the people you love. Give it a try—the flavor fireworks might just make it your new go-to for warm weather get-togethers!