Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken
This Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken is a bold and flavorful dish that combines crispy, golden chicken with the perfect balance of sweet honey and spicy heat, topped off with creamy, tangy feta. It’s the ultimate comfort food with a gourmet twist. The juicy chicken is breaded and pan-fried to perfection, then drizzled with hot honey and sprinkled with crumbled feta for a truly irresistible dish. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
The first time I made this Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken, my family couldn’t stop raving about it. The sweet heat from the honey paired with the creamy feta created a magical combination that quickly made it a household favorite. My husband always requests it on weekends, and even the kids love the little kick of spice. It’s become one of our go-to dishes when we want something crispy, flavorful, and a bit indulgent. Whenever we have guests over, this is the dish that gets them asking for the recipe.
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Why You’ll Love Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken
- Crispy & Flavorful: The chicken is coated in a perfectly crispy breading with a sweet and spicy glaze that enhances every bite.
- Simple Ingredients: With just a few staple ingredients, you can create a dish that tastes restaurant-quality.
- Sweet, Spicy, and Tangy: The hot honey adds just the right amount of sweetness and spice, while the feta balances it with creamy tanginess.
- Crowd Pleaser: This recipe is perfect for family dinners, get-togethers, or impressing dinner guests.
Ingredients Notes for Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken
- Chicken Thighs or Breasts: Choose either boneless chicken thighs or breasts for a juicy, tender result.
- Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta adds a salty, tangy contrast to the sweet and spicy honey.
- Hot Honey: You can make your own hot honey by combining honey with a dash of red pepper flakes or use store-bought.
- Panko Breadcrumbs: These help achieve that extra crispy texture for the chicken.
- Paprika & Garlic Powder: These seasonings enhance the flavor of the chicken breading.
Recipe Steps for Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Coat in Breading: Dip each piece in flour, then in beaten eggs, and finally coat with panko breadcrumbs.
- Pan-Fry the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet and fry the chicken until golden brown and crispy on each side, about 5-7 minutes per side.
- Make the Hot Honey: In a small saucepan, combine honey with red pepper flakes and simmer for a few minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Assemble the Dish: Drizzle the crispy chicken with the hot honey and top with crumbled feta.
- Serve & Enjoy: Serve hot, with an extra sprinkle of fresh parsley or lemon zest if desired.
Storage Options
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Reheat the chicken in the oven at 350°F to maintain its crispiness.
- Freeze: You can freeze the breaded, uncooked chicken and cook it fresh when ready.
Variations & Substitutions
- Spice Level: Adjust the spice by adding more or fewer red pepper flakes to the honey.
- Cheese Substitution: Try using goat cheese or ricotta instead of feta for a creamier texture.
- Baking Option: For a healthier version, bake the breaded chicken at 400°F for about 20-25 minutes.
Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs total)
- 1/2 lb feta cheese crumbled
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs beaten
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup olive oil for frying
- Hot Honey Sauce:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce adjust to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional for extra heat
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Flatten Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
- Season Chicken: Lightly season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Prepare the Feta Coating:
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs, crumbled feta cheese, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Prepare Flour and Eggs: Place the flour in one dish, and the beaten eggs in another dish for dredging.
- Coat the Chicken:
- Dredge the Chicken: First, coat each chicken breast in the flour, then dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing the excess to drip off.
- Coat with Feta Mixture: Press the chicken breasts into the feta breadcrumb mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Cook the Chicken:
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Fry the Chicken: Cook the chicken breasts for 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F/74°C). Remove from the skillet and let the chicken rest for a few minutes.
- Prepare the Hot Honey Sauce:
- Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine honey, hot sauce, butter, and red pepper flakes (if using). Heat over low heat until the butter melts and the sauce is smooth. Stir to combine.
- Serve:
- Drizzle: Drizzle the hot honey sauce over the crispy feta chicken.
- Garnish: Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired.