There’s just something irresistible about Crispy Honey Butter Chicken — the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug on your plate. Imagine juicy chicken strips marinated in tangy buttermilk, fried to golden perfection, then drizzled with a glossy honey butter sauce that clings to every craggy edge. This Southern-inspired favorite has a magic of its own, balancing sweet and savory flavors, crackling textures, and that signature buttery finish that makes everyone at the table wish for seconds.

Crispy Honey Butter Chicken Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The secret to unforgettable Crispy Honey Butter Chicken is in its simple, powerhouse ingredients. Every component is there for a reason — from building mouthwatering layers of flavor to achieving that iconic crispy, golden exterior. Here’s how they all work together to create chicken perfection.

Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts are perfect for juicy bites that crisp up beautifully when fried.
Buttermilk: Marinating in buttermilk tenderizes the chicken and infuses it with subtle tanginess.
All-Purpose Flour: The key to a crackly, golden crust and the perfect canvas for spices.
Paprika: Adds mild heat and that gorgeous reddish hue to the crust.
Garlic Powder: Delivers big, savory flavor that pairs perfectly with the honey butter glaze.
Onion Powder: Enhances overall savoriness and balances the sweet sauce.
Cayenne Pepper: Just a hint delivers gentle heat, but you can adjust to taste.
Salt: Essential for seasoning every layer so the chicken is flavorful through and through.
Black Pepper: Brings a bright bite that wakes up the coating.
Vegetable Oil: High-heat oil is necessary for frying to golden, crunchy perfection.
Unsalted Butter: The base of our velvety honey butter sauce, lending rich flavor and glossiness.
Honey: Provides sweetness and stickiness for that enchanting glaze.
Soy Sauce: Adds a touch of umami and balance to the honey butter sauce.
Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (optional): Sprinkle in a pinch for subtle heat in your honey butter.
Fresh Parsley: A finishing flourish that adds color and a breath of freshness to every serving.

How to Make Crispy Honey Butter Chicken

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Start by soaking your chicken strips in buttermilk. This not only tenderizes the chicken but also infuses it with flavor. Let it chill out in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or, for even juicier results, up to four hours. The longer you wait, the more tender your Crispy Honey Butter Chicken will be.

Step 2: Prepare the Dredge

In a shallow dish, stir together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. This seasoned coating is what gives your chicken that crave-worthy crunch and amplifies every bite with bold flavor.

Step 3: Dredge the Chicken

One by one, lift your buttermilk-marinated chicken pieces and press them firmly into the flour mixture, coating each side thoroughly. If you’re chasing maximum crunch, you can double dip: return the floured chicken briefly to the buttermilk, then dredge once more in flour.

Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection

Heat 1 to 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, aiming for 350°F. Fry the chicken in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook each batch 6 to 8 minutes, turning once, until the chicken is deeply golden and cooked through. Rest them on a paper towel or wire rack to keep the coating crisp.

Step 5: Make the Honey Butter Sauce

While your chicken rests, melt unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in honey, soy sauce, and a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like a little kick. Let the sauce bubble until slightly thickened and irresistibly glossy — about two minutes is all you need.

Step 6: Toss and Finish

Drizzle the warm honey butter sauce generously over your mountain of crispy chicken. Give everything a gentle toss if you want every nook glazed, or leave it as a cascade. Top with fresh parsley for a burst of green and serve immediately to soak in all that hot, crispy, buttery goodness.

How to Serve Crispy Honey Butter Chicken

Garnishes

A flurry of freshly chopped parsley adds a lovely pop of green and a hint of freshness to your Crispy Honey Butter Chicken. If you’re feeling fancy, a sprinkle of extra cracked black pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes on top delivers just the right accent of heat and visual flair.

Side Dishes

Pairing is everything! This chicken shines with classics like mashed potatoes, fluffy buttermilk biscuits, or creamy coleslaw. These sides soak up the extra honey butter sauce and round out your Crispy Honey Butter Chicken feast into a Southern-inspired comfort meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Pile Crispy Honey Butter Chicken high on a platter for family style, or tuck strips into warm buttermilk biscuit sandwiches with a drizzle of additional sauce. For a fun twist, serve over pillowy waffles for the ultimate sweet and savory brunch.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Pop any leftover Crispy Honey Butter Chicken into an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. Be sure to cool chicken completely before stashing it away so that the coating stays as crisp as possible.

Freezing

For longer storage, freeze cooked chicken (without sauce) in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag once frozen solid. The chicken will keep its texture and flavor for up to two months in the freezer.

Reheating

To bring Crispy Honey Butter Chicken back to life, reheat on a wire rack set over a baking sheet in a 375°F oven until hot and crispy, about 15 minutes. Drizzle with reserved honey butter sauce before serving for that just-cooked taste.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Absolutely! Both chicken breasts and thighs work fantastically in this recipe. Thighs stay extra juicy, but breasts are just as delicious and get delightfully crispy after frying.

How can I make Crispy Honey Butter Chicken less spicy?

Simply reduce or skip the cayenne pepper and crushed red pepper flakes in the recipe. The result is still packed with flavor, just milder and perfect for sensitive palates or kids.

What oil is best for frying Crispy Honey Butter Chicken?

A neutral, high-smoke point oil like vegetable, canola, or peanut oil yields the crispest results. Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying to prevent a greasy coating.

Do I have to use buttermilk for marinating?

Buttermilk is ideal for tenderizing and flavor, but you can swap in plain yogurt thinned with a little milk or a mixture of milk and a splash of lemon juice or vinegar if needed.

Can I make the honey butter sauce ahead of time?

Yes! The sauce keeps beautifully in the fridge for up to five days. Rewarm gently and stir before drizzling over freshly reheated chicken or even roasted veggies.

Final Thoughts

There’s a reason Crispy Honey Butter Chicken ends up on every “favorite meals” list. It hits all the right notes — crispy, juicy, sweet, and buttery — in every bite. Invite friends or family to the table, give this recipe a try, and get ready for rave reviews on the world’s most craveable chicken dinner.

Crispy Honey Butter Chicken Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 23 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 45 minutes (plus marinating time)
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this crispy honey butter chicken recipe. Tender chicken strips are coated in a flavorful buttermilk and spice mixture, fried to golden perfection, and then drizzled with a luscious honey butter sauce.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken:

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into strips
1 cup buttermilk

Breading:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper

Other:

Vegetable oil for frying
½ cup unsalted butter
⅓ cup honey
1 teaspoon soy sauce
½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Fresh parsley for garnish

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Instructions

Marinate the Chicken: Place chicken strips in a bowl with buttermilk and let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
Prepare the Breading: In a shallow dish, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
Coat the Chicken: Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, pressing to coat well.
Fry the Chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a skillet, fry chicken in batches until golden brown.
Make the Honey Butter Sauce: Melt butter, stir in honey, soy sauce, and red pepper flakes until smooth and thickened.
Finish and Serve: Drizzle warm honey butter sauce over crispy chicken, garnish with parsley, and serve.

Notes

For extra crispiness, double-dip the chicken in flour and buttermilk before coating again in flour.
Serve with mashed potatoes, biscuits, or coleslaw for a complete meal.

Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus marinating time)
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American