Description
Sweet meets spicy in this crispy chicken dish, drizzled with a bold hot honey sauce and topped with tangy feta cheese. The perfect balance of heat and sweetness makes this a must-try!
Ingredients
For the Crispy Chicken:
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon onion powder
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1 teaspoon paprika
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1 teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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2 large eggs
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1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for extra crunch)
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½ cup buttermilk (optional for marinating)
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Vegetable oil for frying
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
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¼ cup honey
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1 tablespoon sriracha sauce (or more, depending on your heat preference)
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1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
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1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for extra spice)
For the Feta Topping:
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½ cup crumbled feta cheese
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Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Start by tenderizing the chicken breasts to an even thickness using a meat tenderizer or rolling pin. This ensures the chicken cooks evenly and avoids overcooking the thicker parts. If needed, you can also slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create thinner pieces.
(Optional) Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for about 30 minutes to 1 hour. This step isn’t mandatory, but marinating in buttermilk helps to tenderize the chicken, resulting in a juicier, more flavorful bite. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can substitute it with regular milk or skip the marinating process altogether.
In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. This will be your dry breading mixture. In another shallow bowl, whisk the eggs until well beaten. Finally, place the panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow bowl.
To bread the chicken, first dip each piece into the flour mixture, ensuring it is evenly coated. Next, dip the chicken into the egg wash, ensuring all surfaces are covered. Finally, coat the chicken with the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to make sure the breadcrumbs adhere well. This will create a crunchy, golden crust once fried.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet or electric fryer to about 350°F (175°C). You need enough oil to submerge the chicken breasts halfway. If you don’t have an electric fryer, use a thermometer to monitor the oil temperature in your skillet.
Once the oil is hot, carefully lower the breaded chicken breasts into the oil, one piece at a time. Don’t overcrowd the pan, as this can cause the oil temperature to drop and result in soggy chicken. Fry the chicken for about 5-6 minutes per side or until the crust is golden brown and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Once the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the oil and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil. Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before serving.
While the chicken is frying, prepare the hot honey sauce by combining the honey, sriracha sauce, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is well combined and warmed through.
Taste the sauce and adjust the heat level by adding more sriracha or red pepper flakes if desired. Once the sauce is to your liking, set it aside until the chicken is ready to be topped.
Once the chicken is fried and resting, drizzle the hot honey sauce generously over each piece of chicken. The sweet and spicy sauce will infuse into the crispy chicken, creating a mouthwatering contrast of flavors.
Top each piece of chicken with crumbled feta cheese for a tangy, creamy finish. The feta adds a burst of flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the honey and the heat from the sriracha sauce.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro if desired, adding a pop of color and freshness to the dish. Serve immediately while the chicken is hot and crispy.
Serve the Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken on its own or with a side of your favorite accompaniments. The dish pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables, a light salad, or even crispy fries.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 450-500 kcal
- Fat: 22-25g
- Carbohydrates: 30-35g
- Protein: 35-40g