Description
Honey Butter Fried Chicken is a flavorful and crispy fried chicken dish coated in a sweet and savory honey butter glaze. Featuring marinated chicken pieces fried to golden perfection and finished with a buttery honey sauce, this recipe delivers a perfect balance of crunch and sweetness in just 35 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 lb chicken thighs or drumsticks
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Breading
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
Honey Butter Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Pinch of salt
Other
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: In a large bowl, combine the chicken with buttermilk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Prepare the breading mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). This mixture will create a light, crispy coating for the chicken.
- Coat the chicken: Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure a good coating. Place the breaded chicken pieces on a wire rack or plate.
- Heat the oil: Pour vegetable oil into a large deep skillet or frying pan to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat over medium-high heat to approximately 350°F (175°C), ideal for frying chicken.
- Fry the chicken: Carefully add the chicken pieces to the hot oil without crowding. Fry for about 12 to 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Remove and drain on paper towels or a wire rack.
- Make the honey butter sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over low heat. Stir in the honey, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt until smooth and heated through. Remove from heat.
- Toss chicken in honey butter: Place the fried chicken in a large bowl and pour the honey butter sauce over it. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat each piece in the flavorful glaze.
- Serve: Transfer the honey butter fried chicken to a serving platter. Serve hot and enjoy the perfect combination of crispy fried chicken and sweet, buttery goodness.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken longer, up to 2 hours, for more tender and flavorful meat.
- Ensure the oil temperature remains steady at 350°F to prevent greasy chicken.
- Cayenne pepper is optional and can be adjusted for spiciness preference.
- Use a thermometer to confirm that chicken is fully cooked.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated in an oven for best texture.
