Buttermilk-Brined Fried Chicken with Hot Honey Drizzle

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy fried chicken brined in buttermilk, seasoned and fried until golden, served with a sweet and spicy hot honey drizzle. This southern-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs buttermilk, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 650 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.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 650 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 4 cups buttermilk, 2 tbsp salt, 1 tbsp black pepper, 2 tsp paprika, and 1 tsp garlic powder. Submerge 8 chicken pieces (legs and thighs) in the brine, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  2. Step 2: In a separate large bowl, mix 2 cups all-purpose flour with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper for dredging.
  3. Step 3: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat to 350°F (175°C).
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken from the buttermilk brine, letting excess drip off, then dredge each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess.
  5. Step 5: Fry the chicken pieces in batches for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F), then drain on paper towels.
  6. Step 6: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt 1 tbsp unsalted butter with 1/4 cup honey and 2 tbsp hot sauce, stirring until combined and warm.
  7. Step 7: Drizzle the hot honey sauce over the fried chicken just before serving for a sweet and spicy finish.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Buttermilk-Brined Fried Chicken with Hot Honey Drizzle take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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-Brined Fried Chicken with Hot Honey Drizzle?

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-Brined Fried Chicken with Hot Honey Drizzle?

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-Brined Fried Chicken with Hot Honey Drizzle 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-Brined Fried Chicken with Hot Honey Drizzle?

Southern 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.

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