Honey Butter Fried Chicken Recipe
Honey Butter Fried Chicken is a delicious dish that combines the satisfying crunch of perfectly fried chicken with the rich, buttery sweetness of honey. The balance between tender, juicy chicken and the caramelized glaze creates an unforgettable flavor experience that will have you craving more. It’s more than just a meal—it’s a culinary treat that’s sure to impress anyone who tries it.
Ingredients Breakdown
The key to achieving the perfect honey butter fried chicken lies in the quality and combination of ingredients. Starting with the chicken, it’s essential to use fresh wings or chunks of chicken that are juicy and flavorful. The eggs, potato starch, and all-purpose flour form the base of the coating, creating a crispy outer layer that seals in the chicken’s moisture. Kosher salt and ground black pepper are simple yet powerful seasonings that enhance the natural flavor of the chicken.
For the honey butter sauce, unsalted butter provides a rich, creamy base, while minced garlic adds a sharp, aromatic kick. The soy sauce introduces a savory depth, perfectly complementing the sweetness of the white or brown sugar and honey. Toasted sesame seeds and chopped spring onions add texture and a burst of freshness, rounding out the dish beautifully.
Substitutions can be made based on personal preferences or dietary needs. For example, if you’re out of potato starch, cornstarch is an excellent alternative that will still give you that desired crispiness. If you prefer a different flavor profile, dark soy sauce can replace regular soy sauce for a richer taste, and you can experiment with different types of honey to adjust the sweetness.
Step-by-Step Preparation
The journey to making this delectable dish begins with properly seasoning and coating the chicken. After thoroughly mixing the chicken with kosher salt and ground black pepper, it’s crucial to coat each piece evenly with the egg, potato starch, flour, and baking powder mixture. This step ensures that the chicken has a uniform, crispy exterior once fried, while the inside remains tender and moist.
The art of double frying is what truly sets this recipe apart. The first fry at 350°F helps to cook the chicken through, while the second fry intensifies the crunch, giving the chicken a beautifully golden and crispy exterior. The key is to keep the oil at a consistent high temperature and fry the chicken in batches to prevent overcrowding, which can lower the oil’s temperature and result in soggy chicken.
Creating the honey butter sauce is the final touch that transforms this dish from ordinary to extraordinary. Melting the butter over medium heat and adding minced garlic allows the garlic’s flavor to infuse the butter, creating a fragrant base. As the soy sauce and sugar dissolve, the mixture becomes a glossy glaze, and the honey adds a sweet, sticky finish that clings perfectly to the crispy chicken. The key here is to keep the sauce bubbling vigorously, ensuring that it thickens enough to coat the chicken evenly without becoming too runny.
Recipe Tips & Frequently Asked Questions
Ensure thorough cooking:
To avoid dry chicken, keep a close eye on the frying time and temperature. The first fry should cook the chicken through, while the second fry crisps it up without overcooking.
Maximize crispiness:
Achieving an ultra-crispy coating depends on the right oil temperature and avoiding overcrowding in the pan. Fry the chicken in batches if necessary to maintain a consistent high temperature.
Balance the sauce’s sweetness:
Adjust the amount of honey based on your taste preferences. If you prefer a less sweet sauce, reduce the honey slightly or add a bit more soy sauce to balance it out.
Can I use boneless chicken?
Yes, boneless chicken can be used, but keep in mind that cooking times may vary. Boneless pieces typically cook faster, so monitor closely to avoid overcooking.
What if I don’t have potato starch?
Cornstarch is an excellent substitute that will still yield a crispy coating. Alternatively, you can use rice flour or tapioca starch.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, place the chicken in a preheated oven at 350°F until warmed through, ensuring the coating stays crispy.
What to Serve With This Recipe
Honey butter fried chicken pairs beautifully with a variety of side dishes. A light, tangy coleslaw cuts through the richness of the chicken, providing a refreshing contrast. Creamy mashed potatoes are another great option, their smooth texture complementing the crunch of the chicken. Steamed vegetables like broccoli or green beans add a healthy, colorful element to the plate, balancing out the meal.
For beverages, a cold, crisp beer is a classic choice that enhances the savory notes of the dish. If you prefer something non-alcoholic, a glass of chilled lemonade offers a sweet and tart counterpoint to the rich flavors of the chicken.
Serving and Presentation
Presentation is key when serving honey butter fried chicken. For an eye-catching dish, arrange the chicken pieces on a large platter and generously sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped spring onions on top. These garnishes not only add visual appeal but also introduce extra layers of flavor and texture. Serve the chicken hot and fresh, straight from the pan, to ensure maximum crispiness and flavor. If you’re planning to serve the chicken later, let it cool slightly before plating, but keep it warm enough to retain its delicious crunch.
Honey butter fried chicken is a dish that combines comfort and indulgence, offering a perfect harmony of crispy texture and sweet, savory flavor. Whether you’re making it for a casual family dinner or as a crowd-pleasing dish for a gathering, it’s sure to be a hit. The recipe’s versatility also invites experimentation—feel free to try different flavor combinations and make it your own. Enjoy the process of creating this delicious meal, and savor every bite of the finished product.
Ingredients
4 cups cooking oil (corn or vegetable oil)
2 pounds of chicken wings (or chunks of chicken)
2 eggs
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ cup all-purpose flour
¼ cup potato starch
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For honey butter sauce:
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons soy sauce
¼ cup white or brown sugar
2 teaspoons honey
Other Ingredients:
Toasted sesame seeds
Spring onions
Instructions
Prepare the chicken:
In a large bowl, season the chicken wings with kosher salt and ground black pepper, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
Add the eggs, followed by the potato starch, all-purpose flour, and baking powder. Mix everything thoroughly by hand until the chicken is well coated with the mixture.
Double fry:
Heat a 12-inch skillet with the cooking oil over high heat for about 5 to 7 minutes until the oil reaches 350°F. To check if the oil is hot enough, dip a piece of chicken into the oil; if you see several bubbles rise up, the oil is ready.
Carefully place the chicken pieces into the hot oil one by one. Fry them for approximately 5 minutes until the bottoms are crisp. Use tongs to flip each piece, ensuring they don’t stick together.
Continue to fry for another 5 minutes, then flip them again.
Keep frying, turning occasionally, for an additional 10 minutes until the chicken is golden and crispy on all sides.
Once done, remove the chicken pieces from the oil and place them in a strainer over a stainless steel bowl to drain the excess oil.
Reheat the oil for 1 minute, then return all the chicken pieces to the hot oil. Fry for another 7 to 8 minutes until the chicken turns a rich golden brown and is evenly crispy.
Remove the chicken from the oil and set aside.
Make honey butter fried chicken:
In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once the butter is sizzling, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and slightly crisp.
Stir in the soy sauce and sugar, letting them melt together. Then add the honey, stirring continuously until the mixture bubbles vigorously.
Toss the fried chicken into the sauce, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and top with chopped spring onions.
Serve immediately, or let cool slightly before serving later.
Honey Butter Fried Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooking oil corn or vegetable oil
- 2 pounds of chicken wings or chunks of chicken
- 2 eggs
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup potato starch
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For honey butter sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 2 teaspoons soy sauce
- ¼ cup white or brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons honey
Other Ingredients:
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Spring onions
Instructions
Prepare the chicken:
- In a large bowl, season the chicken wings with kosher salt and ground black pepper, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
- Add the eggs, followed by the potato starch, all-purpose flour, and baking powder. Mix everything thoroughly by hand until the chicken is well coated with the mixture.
Double fry:
- Heat a 12-inch skillet with the cooking oil over high heat for about 5 to 7 minutes until the oil reaches 350°F. To check if the oil is hot enough, dip a piece of chicken into the oil; if you see several bubbles rise up, the oil is ready.
- Carefully place the chicken pieces into the hot oil one by one. Fry them for approximately 5 minutes until the bottoms are crisp. Use tongs to flip each piece, ensuring they don’t stick together.
- Continue to fry for another 5 minutes, then flip them again.
- Keep frying, turning occasionally, for an additional 10 minutes until the chicken is golden and crispy on all sides.
- Once done, remove the chicken pieces from the oil and place them in a strainer over a stainless steel bowl to drain the excess oil.
- Reheat the oil for 1 minute, then return all the chicken pieces to the hot oil. Fry for another 7 to 8 minutes until the chicken turns a rich golden brown and is evenly crispy.
- Remove the chicken from the oil and set aside.
Make honey butter fried chicken:
- In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Once the butter is sizzling, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant and slightly crisp.
- Stir in the soy sauce and sugar, letting them melt together. Then add the honey, stirring continuously until the mixture bubbles vigorously.
- Toss the fried chicken into the sauce, ensuring each piece is evenly coated.
- Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and top with chopped spring onions.
- Serve immediately, or let cool slightly before serving later.