Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits are a Southern-inspired dish that combines crispy fried chicken, flaky homemade biscuits, and a sweet-spicy drizzle of hot honey. The perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory flavors makes this dish ideal for breakfast, brunch, or as a delicious comfort food option. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just craving something extraordinary, this recipe will hit the spot with its satisfying textures and bold flavors.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts, if preferred)

• 1 cup buttermilk (for marinating)

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• Vegetable oil for frying

For the Biscuits:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

• 6 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed

• ¾ cup buttermilk

• (Store-bought biscuits can be used for convenience)

For the Hot Honey:

• ½ cup honey

• 1–2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)

• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (optional, for tanginess)

• Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Prepare the Chicken:

   • Marinate the chicken in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes (or overnight) to tenderize and enhance flavor.

   • Coat the chicken in a mixture of flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

   • Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and fry the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.

2. Make the Biscuits:

   • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

   • Cut in cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

   • Add buttermilk and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.

   • Turn the dough onto a floured surface, gently knead, then pat into a 1-inch-thick rectangle. Use a round cutter to shape the biscuits.

   • Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown.

3. Make the Hot Honey:

   • Heat honey in a small saucepan over low heat.

   • Stir in red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar (if using), and a pinch of salt.

   • Simmer for 1-2 minutes, then remove from heat. Let it cool slightly.

4. Assemble the Biscuits:

   • Slice the biscuits in half and place a piece of fried chicken on the bottom half.

   • Drizzle generously with hot honey and top with the other biscuit half.

   • Serve warm.

Nutrients

• Calories: 450 kcal (per serving)

• Prep Time: 20 minutes

• Cook Time: 30 minutes

• Total Time: 50 minutes

• Servings: 4

The Charm of Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits

What sets Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits apart from other comfort foods is the unique fusion of flavors. The fried chicken provides a rich, savory foundation, while the fluffy biscuit adds a delicate, buttery crunch. The pièce de résistance is the hot honey drizzle, which takes this dish from ordinary to extraordinary by combining the sweetness of honey with the heat of red pepper flakes.

The flavor profile is simple yet dynamic, offering the perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and savory richness. Each bite delivers layers of textures—crispy chicken, flaky biscuit, and a smooth, spicy drizzle that melds together in a symphony of flavor. The versatility of the dish also makes it adaptable to different tastes. If you prefer more heat, simply adjust the amount of red pepper flakes in the hot honey. The dish also pairs wonderfully with a variety of sides, such as fresh fruit, coleslaw, or roasted vegetables, making it a complete meal.

The Ingredients: Simple Yet Flavorful

Each component of Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits is essential in creating the dish’s signature flavor. Let’s take a closer look at the key ingredients that make this meal so irresistible.

Chicken Thighs or Breasts

While boneless, skinless chicken thighs are the preferred cut for this recipe due to their juiciness and tenderness, boneless chicken breasts can also be used if desired. The chicken is marinated in buttermilk to tenderize the meat and enhance its flavor, resulting in a moist and flavorful piece of fried chicken. The buttermilk also creates the perfect coating for the flour mixture, ensuring the chicken is crispy and golden brown on the outside.

Biscuits

The biscuits in this dish are homemade, which adds a layer of comfort and authenticity. Made with cold butter, baking powder, and buttermilk, these biscuits have a tender, flaky texture that pairs perfectly with the crispy chicken. The cold butter ensures that the biscuits rise beautifully while maintaining a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth texture. The buttermilk adds moisture and a slight tang that complements the richness of the butter.

For those looking for convenience, store-bought biscuits can be substituted, though homemade biscuits offer a fresher and more flavorful experience.

Hot Honey

The hot honey is the star of the show in this dish. It’s made by combining honey with red pepper flakes and a touch of apple cider vinegar. The honey provides natural sweetness, while the red pepper flakes add a fiery kick that balances the sweetness perfectly. The vinegar adds a slight tanginess, elevating the overall flavor and providing a contrast to the richness of the chicken and biscuits.

Seasonings and Coatings

The chicken is coated in a simple yet flavorful mixture of all-purpose flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. This seasoning blend gives the chicken its signature crispy exterior and savory flavor. The paprika adds a hint of smokiness, while the garlic powder and pepper enhance the savory notes of the chicken.

The Cooking Process: Easy and Delicious

The process of making Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits is straightforward, with each step building on the next to create the final dish. Here’s an overview of how everything comes together:

Marinating the Chicken

The first step in preparing the chicken is marinating it in buttermilk. This helps tenderize the meat and allows the chicken to soak in all the delicious flavors. Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but for the best results, let it sit overnight. The longer the chicken marinates, the more flavorful and tender it will become.

Coating and Frying the Chicken

Once the chicken is marinated, it’s time to coat it in the seasoned flour mixture. This coating gives the chicken its crispy, golden-brown exterior. The chicken is then fried in hot oil until it’s cooked through, with a crispy crust that’s packed with flavor. Fry the chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side, ensuring it’s fully cooked and crispy on the outside. After frying, drain the chicken on paper towels to remove any excess oil.

Making the Biscuits

The biscuits are made by combining flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Cold cubed butter is cut into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Buttermilk is then added, and the dough is mixed gently until just combined. It’s important not to overmix the dough to ensure the biscuits stay light and flaky.

The dough is turned out onto a floured surface, gently kneaded, and then patted into a 1-inch-thick rectangle. Using a round cutter, the biscuits are shaped and placed on a baking sheet. After baking at 425°F for 12-15 minutes, the biscuits will be golden brown and ready to serve.

Preparing the Hot Honey

To make the hot honey, simply heat honey in a saucepan and stir in red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt. Simmer the mixture for 1-2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Let the hot honey cool slightly before drizzling it over the chicken and biscuits.

Assembling the Biscuits

To assemble the Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits, slice the freshly baked biscuits in half. Place a piece of fried chicken on the bottom half, then drizzle generously with the hot honey sauce. Top with the other biscuit half, and serve warm.

Serving and Enjoying Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits

Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits are best served fresh and warm, with the sweet-spicy hot honey still glistening on top of the crispy fried chicken. They can be enjoyed on their own, or paired with a side dish like coleslaw, salad, or fresh fruit. These biscuits also make a great option for brunch or breakfast, bringing a little extra flair to your morning meal.

Conclusion

Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits are the ultimate comfort food, offering a perfect blend of crispy, savory chicken, tender biscuits, and a sweet-spicy hot honey drizzle. The balance of textures and flavors in this dish makes it an unforgettable experience, whether you’re making it for a family meal or a special gathering. The ease of preparation, combined with the bold and exciting flavors, ensures that this dish will quickly become a favorite in your culinary repertoire. Whether you’re craving a hearty breakfast, a delicious brunch, or a comforting dinner, Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits are sure to hit the spot.