If you’re craving something crispy, spicy, and downright addictive, this Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe will become your new go-to comfort food. Imagine juicy, tender chicken pieces coated in a perfectly seasoned, crunchy crust, then generously drizzled with a luscious mix of honey and fiery Sriracha that delivers a sweet heat with every bite. It’s a wonderful balance of flavors and textures that’s simple enough for a weeknight treat but special enough to impress friends or family. Trust me, once you try this, it’s hard to stop at just one nugget!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe lies in the simplicity and quality of its ingredients. Each one plays a vital role in creating that crave-worthy texture and flavor — from the buttermilk tenderizing the chicken to the spices adding just the right kick.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: The perfect tender and lean protein base, cut into bite-sized pieces for easy frying.
- Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning both the chicken and coating for optimal flavor penetration.
- Freshly cracked black pepper: Adds a mild heat and depth to the breading and chicken.
- All-purpose flour: The crispy coating’s foundation, ensuring a crunchy outer layer.
- Garlic powder: Brings a gentle savory note that complements the spicy and sweet sauce.
- Granulated sugar: Balances savory spices and enhances caramelization during frying.
- Cayenne pepper: Injects that signature subtle heat without overwhelming the dish.
- Paprika: Contributes a smoky warmth and rich color to the coating.
- Large egg: Binds the buttermilk and spices, helping the flour stick perfectly to each nugget.
- Buttermilk: Tenderizes the chicken and adds a slight tang, elevating the flavor.
- Baking soda: Gives the breading extra crispness and lightness.
- Vegetable or peanut oil: For frying to golden perfection while keeping the nuggets juicy inside.
- Salted butter: Forms the buttery base of the sauce for richness.
- Honey: Adds natural sweetness, balancing out the spicy Sriracha.
- Sriracha hot sauce: The spicy star of the hot honey sauce that gives those nuggets their signature kick.
How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Step 1: Season the Chicken
Start by sprinkling 1 teaspoon kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper over your chicken pieces. This initial seasoning is key for flavorful bites, ensuring each nugget is savory right from the start.
Step 2: Prepare the Dry Flour Mixture
Mix together 1½ cups of flour with 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons sugar, ¼ teaspoon cayenne, 1 teaspoon paprika, 3 teaspoons kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. This blend creates the flavorful crust when fried that will give you the perfect crisp texture.
Step 3: Whisk the Wet Batter
In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and buttermilk until smooth. Then add the remaining ¾ cup flour, garlic powder, sugar, paprika, cayenne, salt, black pepper, and baking soda to create a thick, well-seasoned batter that tenderizes and coats each nugget beautifully.
Step 4: Coat the Chicken in Wet Batter
Toss the chicken pieces in this batter until each is fully covered. This step locks in moisture and is crucial for creating the juicy interior that contrasts wonderfully with the crisp exterior.
Step 5: Heat the Oil and Prepare for Frying
Set up a cooling rack over a rimmed baking sheet for draining. Heat 2 quarts of vegetable or peanut oil in a heavy pot to a steady 325°F — maintaining this temperature is key to that golden, crunchy crust without overcooking the chicken.
Step 6: Dredge and Fry the Nuggets
Remove each chicken piece from the batter letting the excess drip off, then dredge it in the dry flour mixture, pressing lightly to ensure a good coating. Fry the nuggets in batches for 3–4 minutes, turning once, until gloriously golden and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
Step 7: Prepare the Hot Honey Sauce
While the nuggets are frying, melt butter gently in a small saucepan and whisk in honey and Sriracha until smooth and warm. This sauce brings that brilliant sweet and spicy finish unique to this Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe.
Step 8: Serve and Drizzle
Arrange your golden nuggets on a platter and drizzle generously with the hot honey sauce or serve it on the side for dipping. Every bite delivers the perfect harmony of crunchy, juicy, sweet, and spicy — truly irresistible.
How to Serve Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Garnishes
Add a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or thinly sliced scallions to brighten the rich nuggets with a pop of color and fresh flavor. A few sesame seeds also work wonderfully to add a slight nutty crunch.
Side Dishes
These nuggets pair perfectly with simple sides like crisp celery sticks and carrot sticks, classic French fries, or even a crunchy slaw to add balance and texture. Creamy ranch or blue cheese dips also complement the spicy honey glaze beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the nuggets in mini sandwich buns with a slather of mayo and pickles for an easy party snack. Another great idea is stacking them over a bed of fluffy rice or draping them over fresh greens for a satisfying salad with a kick.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover nuggets in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 3 days. This keeps them tasty and ready for a quick snack or meal the next day.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked nuggets in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a freezer-safe bag. They freeze well for up to 1 month, making them perfect for meal prep.
Reheating
To keep your nuggets crisp when reheating, warm them in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes instead of the microwave. This refreshes their crunch without drying them out.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs offer a bit more fat, which can make your nuggets even juicier and more flavorful. Just be sure to cut them into similar-sized pieces for even frying.
How spicy is the Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe?
The heat level is moderate thanks to the Sriracha and cayenne, balanced nicely by the sweetness of honey. You can always adjust the amount of Sriracha to suit your personal spice tolerance.
Is buttermilk essential in this recipe?
Buttermilk is highly recommended because it tenderizes the chicken and adds a subtle tang that enhances the flavor. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute with regular milk plus a splash of lemon juice or vinegar.
Can I bake the nuggets instead of frying?
Yes, baking is an option for a lighter version, but keep in mind the texture will be less crispy than frying. Bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, for best results.
What’s the best oil to use for frying?
Vegetable or peanut oil works great due to their high smoke points. They ensure even frying without burning while keeping the nuggets delightfully crispy.
Final Thoughts
There’s something irresistibly comforting about homemade nuggets with a sweet and spicy twist, and this Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe hits all the right notes. Whether you’re cooking for family, hosting friends, or just treating yourself, these nuggets deliver crunchy, juicy, and flavorful bites every time. So go ahead, dive in, and savor every single nugget—you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them!
Print
Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 4.4 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
Crispy and flavorful Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets combine tender chicken breast pieces coated in a seasoned flour and buttermilk batter, fried to golden perfection, then drizzled with a spicy-sweet hot honey sauce made from butter, honey, and Sriracha. Perfect as a spicy snack or appetizer with a balanced kick of heat and sweetness.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- ¾ teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper, plus more to taste
Dry Flour Mixture
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, divided
- 3 teaspoons garlic powder, divided
- 3 teaspoons granulated sugar, divided
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika, divided
Wet Batter
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Frying Oil
- 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 evenly over the cut chicken pieces to ensure well-seasoned bites.
- Prepare dry flour mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine 1½ 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. Mix well to create the coating flour.
- Make wet batter: In another shallow bowl, beat the egg with buttermilk. 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 the batter is smooth and fully combined.
- Coat chicken in batter: Add the seasoned chicken pieces to the wet batter and toss thoroughly to coat each piece evenly.
- Heat the oil: Place a cooling rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Fill a large, heavy pot with vegetable oil and attach a deep-fry thermometer. Heat the oil over medium-high heat to 325°F (163°C).
- Dredge and fry nuggets: Remove one piece of chicken from the wet batter, allow excess to drip off, and dredge it in the dry flour mixture, pressing gently to coat fully. Carefully add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil in batches, frying for 3-4 minutes and turning halfway through until nuggets are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on the cooling rack. Maintain oil temperature at 325°F between batches.
- Prepare hot honey sauce: While frying, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Whisk in honey and Sriracha until the sauce is smooth and heated through.
- Serve: Transfer the fried chicken nuggets to a serving platter and drizzle generously with the hot honey sauce or serve the sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Maintaining oil temperature at 325°F is crucial to ensure crispy, evenly cooked nuggets.
- Use a deep-fry thermometer to monitor accurate oil temperature.
- Adjust cayenne pepper and Sriracha quantity to match your preferred spice level.
- Let excess batter drip off before dredging to prevent clumpy coatings.
- Drain cooked nuggets on a cooling rack instead of paper towels to keep them crispy.
