If you're looking for a quick and delicious weeknight dinner recipe, this spicy honey chicken is the answer. It's a family favorite at my house, that I've been making for years and years.
It's an easy baked chicken recipe where the chicken is cooked right in the spicy honey sauce to create the most amazing flavorful, stick glaze. After baking, I like to reduce the sauce even further to give it that extra kick. This chicken dish takes only 25 minutes to make from start to finish and your whole family will love it!
Ingredient Notes
This spicy chicken recipe is so easy to make. Ā It takes only minutes to mix the glaze together and coat the chicken.
- Chicken Breasts - I like to use boneless skinless chicken breasts, but the sauce would work equally well with chicken thighs or even chicken wings.Ā
- Honey - I always buy local honey, either wildflower or sourwood. Ā You can use your favorite variety of honey although another variety will alter the flavors slightly.
- Apple Cider Vinegar - the tangy flavor of the vinegar balances the sweetness of the honey. It's always a good idea to have an acid to balance any sweet dish.Ā
- Spices - The sauce uses a mixture of paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, chili powder and red pepper flakes. Ā If you want it hotter, you can also add a little cayenne pepper or increase the amount of red pepper flakes.
See the recipe card for the complete ingredient list with measurements.
How to Make Spicy Honey Chicken
Even a beginner can make this recipe.
- COMBINE:Ā Simply combine all of the glaze ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. Ā
- POUR: Place the pieces ofĀ chicken into your baking dish and pour the honeyĀ glaze over the top, then bake.Ā
- SET ASIDE: Once the chicken has baked through, remove it to a separate dish and cover it with foil to retain the heat. Ā
- REDUCE: If you've used a cast iron skillet, place it on the stove over medium heat and bring to a simmer, otherwise pour the sauce into a small saucepan. Ā Simmer the hot honeyĀ sauce until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Ā Remove the pan from the heat. Ā Return the chicken to the sauce and flip to coat the chicken pieces.
Expert Tip
Ensure your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165F degrees during baking.
What to Serve with this Dish
This hot honey chicken recipe has a similar flavor profile to BBQ chicken, so I recommend:
- Vegetables: My southern green beans and potatoes or instant pot sweet potatoes both go great alongside this chicken.
- Gluten free baked beans would be an excellent side dish.
- Cornbread: Gluten free corn muffins or sweet corn bread are also both great options.
Storage
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat to 165F degrees before serving.
More chicken recipes to consider:
If you try this recipe, please leave a ššššš star rating and let me know how you liked it in the comments below.
Recipe
Baked Spicy Honey Chicken
Ingredients
- Ā½ Cup Honey
- 2 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
- 2 teaspoon Paprika
- 2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- 1 Ā½ pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts you can also use chicken thighs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425F degrees.
- In a small bowl, combine the honey, apple cider vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes and chili powder. Stir well.Ā½ Cup Honey, 2 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar, 2 teaspoon Paprika, 2 teaspoon Garlic Powder, 1 teaspoon Salt, 1 teaspoon Black Pepper, 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes, 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- Place the chicken breasts into a cast iron skillet. Pour the honey sauce over the chicken.1 Ā½ pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 165F degrees when checked at the thickest part. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken.
- Once the chicken has baked through, remove the pan from the oven. Remove the chicken to another dish and tent with aluminum foil.
- Place the skillet on the stove over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cook and stir occasionally for about 4-5 minutes until the sauce has thickened to a sticky consistency.
- Remove the pan from heat. Return the chicken to the sauce and stir to coat the chicken. Serve warm.
Notes
Tiffany is the recipe developer, stylist and food photographer behind Well Fed Baker. As a lifelong baker who had to go gluten free and dairy free in 2016, Tiffany strives to share allergen friendly recipes that never feel like they are free from anything.
Becky says
What if I donāt have a cast iron skillet?
It looks yummy.
You can do it in a casserole dish or even on a baking sheet that has a rim.
JustBecause says
My boyfriend asked for this for dinner tonight again! Iām so excited because it came out beautifully last time! Plump, moist, perfectly seasoned chicken breasts! Now to figure out what veggies I want to pair it with tonight. š¤£
Valerie J. says
Iām sorry but I had to was my chicken off. WAY TOO salty! I may try the recipe again but will omit the salt, maybe it will help.
I have made this many times and never noticed it as being too salty. But of course, salt is a subjective thing. As some people like a lot more salt than I do and some will like less. You can certainly reduce the amount to suit your tastes.