Description
Crispy bite-sized chicken pieces coated in a sweet and spicy hot honey glaze. This crunchy comfort food is packed with bold flavor, juicy texture, and the perfect balance of heat and sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F.
- In one bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg.
- Dip chicken pieces into the buttermilk mixture, then coat thoroughly in the flour mixture.
- Place coated chicken pieces on a tray and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Fry the chicken in small batches for 4 to 5 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked.
- Transfer fried chicken to a wire rack to drain excess oil.
- In a small bowl, whisk together honey, hot sauce, melted butter, and red pepper flakes.
- Toss warm chicken in the hot honey sauce until evenly coated.
- Serve immediately while crispy and hot.
Notes
- Use a thermometer to keep the oil at 350°F for the crispiest texture.
- Toss the chicken in sauce right before serving to maintain crunch.
- Double coat the chicken for extra crispy popcorn chicken.
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven or air fryer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: hot honey popcorn chicken, crispy popcorn chicken, spicy honey chicken, fried chicken bites, crunchy chicken recipe, sweet and spicy chicken