Buttermilk-Battered Chicken with Hot Honey Glaze
Tender chicken thighs marinated in spiced buttermilk, fried to golden perfection, then glazed with a sweet and spicy honey sauce. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 45 minutes pairs buttermilk, all-purpose flour, tablespoon paprika for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on, patted dry chicken thighs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 1 cup buttermilk, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Add the chicken thighs and coat evenly, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Step 2: Heat 3 tablespoons vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (350°F). Remove chicken from buttermilk mixture, letting excess drip off, and dredge in the remaining 1/4 cup all-purpose flour.
- Step 3: Fry chicken in the hot oil for 10-12 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F), turning once. Drain on paper towels.
- Step 4: In a small saucepan, combine 1/4 cup honey and 1 tablespoon hot sauce over medium heat, stirring until warm and slightly thickened. Brush the glaze over the chicken and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Buttermilk-Battered Chicken with Hot Honey Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Buttermilk-Battered Chicken with Hot Honey Glaze?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep buttermilk from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Buttermilk-Battered Chicken with Hot Honey Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Buttermilk-Battered Chicken with Hot Honey Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Buttermilk-Battered Chicken with Hot Honey Glaze?
American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.