Crispy Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken
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Crispy, tender bite-sized pieces of chicken coated in a crunchy coating and drizzled with a homemade sweet and spicy hot honey sauce. This Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken recipe is the perfect easy high high-protein meal prep that delivers big on flavor without hours in the kitchen.
I am super excited to share this brand new recipe with you today! If you are like me, and love fried chicken these little popcorn chicken bites will make you smile – and that sweet heat will have you coming back for more!
Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken Recipe
This Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken delivers the perfect combination of sweet and spicy – juicy chicken pieces with a crispy shell tossed in a homemade hot honey recipe. It’s a one-pan wonder that starts on the stovetop and finishes with minimal fuss, making it a pure comfort meal without multiple dishes.
If you love this Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken Recipe, you are sure to love these too: Air Fryer Toasted Ravioli, Jalapeño Popper Pigs in a Blanket and Bacon Cheeseburger Meatballs.
What is Hot Honey Chicken?
Hot Honey Chicken is a delicious twist on traditional fried chicken that combines the sweetness of honey with the kick of hot sauce. This southern hot honey popcorn chicken has gained popularity on TikTok, where videos show how easy it is to make these addictive chicken bites at home. Not only are these hot honey chicken nuggets incredibly tasty, but you can also adjust the heat level to your preference by adding more or less hot sauce.
Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken Ingredients
For complete ingredients and instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the full printable recipe.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken breast – Cut into bite-sized pieces (boneless chicken thighs work too)
- All-purpose flour – The base for your crispy coating
- Cornstarch – For extra crunch
- Garlic powder – Adds savory flavor
- Black pepper – For a touch of spice
- Salt – Sea salt works perfectly
- Eggs – Helps the coating stick
- Honey – Sweet component of your sauce
- Hot sauce – Brings the heat
- Vegetable oil – For frying
Be sure to keep reading for substitutions, tips and tricks about this Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken recipe.
How to Make Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken
This high-protein, crispy, hot honey popcorn chicken comes together quickly.
Heat your oil to 375°F over medium heat while preparing your coating by whisking together the flour, cornstarch, and spices in a large bowl.
Double-coat your chicken by tossing it in the dry mixture, dipping it in beaten eggs, and returning it to the dry ingredients.
Fry chicken pieces in batches until golden brown (3-4 minutes), then transfer to paper towels.
Prepare your homemade hot honey by whisking together honey and hot sauce in a small saucepan until it bubbles, then drizzle it over the chicken.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Reheat in an air fryer for 4-5 minutes at 380°F to restore crispiness.
Love it? Pin it!
If you love this Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken Recipe, make sure that you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!
Substitutions
- Use a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free option
- Try chicken thighs for juicier bites
- Add cornflakes to your coating mixture for extra crunch
- Bake on a prepared baking sheet with a wire rack at 400°F for 15-20 minutes
- Cook in an air fryer at 390°F for 8-10 minutes
- Add onion powder or chili powder to your coating for different flavors
FAQs about Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken
- What to serve with hot honey chicken? For dipping sauce, we love ranch. As a main dish, serve them with mashed potatoes, french fries or sweet potato fries, or a fresh green salad.
- Can I make this ahead? Yes! Reheat in the air fryer the next day for best results.
- Can I freeze it? Freeze for up to 3 months and reheat from frozen.
Tips & Tricks
- Keep the oil between 350-375°F for perfectly crispy chicken
- Work in small batches to prevent overcrowding
- Double-coating creates an extra crispy exterior
- Make extra sauce for dipping
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels before coating
- Add chili flakes to your sauce for extra heat
More Recipes to Love
Looking for more ways to enjoy chicken? Skip the heat and try my Crispy Honey Chicken, pictured above, grab your air fryer and whip up some BBQ Chicken Tenders or homemade Chicken Fried Steak. Or give this classic copycat recipe for KFC Fried Chicken, these Oven Fried Chicken in a Biscuit Sandwiches or my Sweet & Sticky Grilled Chicken a try. Hungry for more? Find all of my chicken recipes here.
Give This Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken a Try Today!
Whether for appetizers, a main dish or meal prep, this Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken recipe delivers crispy, sweet, and spicy perfection in every bite. The combination of crunchy exterior, juicy chicken, and that irresistible hot honey glaze makes this dish impossible to resist!
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Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breast diced
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup honey
- ½ cup hot sauce
- 4 cups vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Add your oil to a large pot and let it heat up to 375°F on the stovetop over medium heat.
- The oil is going to take about 10 minutes to heat up, which should be enough time to prep hour popcorn chicken. Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and spices. Toss the chicken in the dry ingredients until evenly coated.
- Beat your eggs in a small dish and dip each piece of chicken in the eggs.
- Return your chicken to the dry ingredients and toss again.
- Working in batches, fry up to 8 pieces of chicken at a time in the hot oil. Let your chicken cook for 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown. Transfer your chicken to a plate lined with paper towels and repeat the process for the remaining chicken.
- Whisk together the honey and hot sauce in a small saucepan. Heat the sauce over medium heat until it just starts to bubble. Drizzle the hot honey sauce over your chicken.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Vegetable, canola, and peanut oil can all be used to fry your chicken. Just make sure the oil is at about 350-375°F.
- We like to coat our chicken in flour before the eggs as well as after to help thicken the coating, giving it a crispier shell.
- We typically use chicken breasts, but you can also use chicken tenderloins. Boneless skinless chicken thighs will also work.
- The cornstarch helps maximize the crunchiness of the fried shell.
- Keep your leftover chicken in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat your popcorn chicken in the air fryer for 4-5 minutes at 380°F. The air fryer will help re-crisp your chicken. You can also reheat some popcorn chicken in the microwave for 45-75 seconds.
- Feel free to use your favorite hot sauce. Frank’s Red Hot sauce works great and is available at most major grocery stores.
- You can easily control the spice level of your hot honey sauce. For a sweeter sauce, reduce the amount of hot sauce to 1/4 cup. For a spicier sauce, use 1/2 cup of hot sauce.
