Southern-Inspired Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Spicy Honey Glaze

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-07 · Updated 2026-06-07

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Crispy fried chicken marinated in tangy buttermilk and finished with a sticky, spicy honey glaze for a perfect balance of heat and sweetness. This Southern-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, buttermilk, all-purpose flour for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 450 cal/serving

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Ingredients

4 pieces, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
2 cups buttermilk
1.5 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
for frying vegetable oil
0.25 cup honey
1 tbsp hot sauce

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Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine 2 cups buttermilk with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then add 4 chicken thighs and marinate covered in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight for tenderizing.
Step 2: In a shallow dish, mix 1.5 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp paprika, and 1 tsp cayenne pepper thoroughly for the coating.
Step 3: Remove each thigh from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off, then dredge in the seasoned flour until fully coated, shaking off any excess flour.
Step 4: Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F and fry the chicken thighs in batches for 12-15 minutes, turning occasionally until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
Step 5: In a small saucepan, warm 0.25 cup honey with 1 tbsp hot sauce over low heat until combined and slightly thickened, about 2 minutes.
Step 6: Brush the spicy honey glaze over the fried chicken immediately after frying, then serve hot for a perfect sweet and spicy finish.