Buttermilk-Fried Chicken with Chipotle-Honey Glaze
Crispy chicken thighs marinated in buttermilk and spices, finished with a sweet-spicy glaze for balanced heat. This american-inspired chicken (gluten-free) ready in about 145 minutes turns chicken thighs, buttermilk, paprika into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. 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 chicken thighs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp chipotle in adobo sauce
- 1 tbsp lime juice
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup buttermilk, 1 tbsp paprika, 2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Add 1.5 lbs chicken thighs and coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Step 2: In a shallow dish, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour and 2 tbsp cornstarch. Dredge each chicken thigh in the flour mixture, pressing to adhere, then shake off excess.
- Step 3: Heat 1/2 cup vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering (350°F). Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 12-15 minutes per side, or until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk 3 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp chipotle in adobo sauce, and 1 tbsp lime juice until smooth. Brush glaze over chicken and let sit for 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Buttermilk-Fried Chicken with Chipotle-Honey Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 145 minutes (120 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-Fried Chicken with Chipotle-Honey Glaze?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.
Can I substitute ingredients in Buttermilk-Fried Chicken with Chipotle-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-Fried Chicken with Chipotle-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.
Is Buttermilk-Fried Chicken with Chipotle-Honey Glaze gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★☆☆
Average. The concept is good but execution needs work on seasoning.
