Buttermilk-Brined Fried Chicken with Spiced Honey Drizzle

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-05 · Updated 2026-05-05

Tender fried chicken marinated in buttermilk and coated with a crispy seasoned crust, finished with a warm honey drizzle spiced with smoked paprika. This American-inspired Mother’s Day recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, buttermilk, kosher salt 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

• 6 pieces, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp, freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• for frying, about 4 cups vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups buttermilk, 1 tbsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Add 6 pieces chicken thighs and submerge fully. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to tenderize.
2. Step 2: In another large bowl, mix 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper. This seasoned flour will coat the chicken.
3. Step 3: Remove chicken from buttermilk marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour, pressing lightly to adhere the crust.
4. Step 4: Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F, using a thermometer.
5. Step 5: Carefully fry the chicken in batches, cooking for 12-15 minutes per batch, turning occasionally until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
6. Step 6: While chicken cooks, warm 1/3 cup honey with 1/2 tsp smoked paprika in a small saucepan over low heat for 2 minutes until fragrant.
7. Step 7: Drain fried chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Drizzle the warm spiced honey evenly over the chicken before serving for a balance of sweet and smoky flavors.