Master the Art of Honey Butter Fried Chicken: Your Ultimate Recipe for Sweet & Savory Perfection
Prepare to indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with this spectacular Honey Butter Fried Chicken! Imagine perfectly crispy, juicy chicken pieces, tossed generously in a rich, buttery sweet sauce infused with aromatic fresh garlic. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an event that the entire family will wholeheartedly enjoy, leaving everyone craving more. It’s the ideal blend of sweet, savory, and satisfying crunch that will elevate your dinner table.
This irresistible honey butter fried chicken pairs magnificently with a variety of sides. For a truly unforgettable feast, consider serving it alongside some fluffy Cheese Garlic Biscuits, a decadent Lobster Mac and Cheese, or a refreshing and zesty Creamy Sriracha Coleslaw. Each of these complements the rich flavors of the chicken, creating a balanced and delightful spread.
The Irresistible Allure of Bone-In Fried Chicken with a Honey Butter Twist
Following the immense popularity of the delicious honey baked turkey wings recipe posted last month, it was clear that another honey-infused dish needed to make an appearance. What makes this particular honey butter fried chicken so exceptional, beyond its perfectly balanced sweet and salty profile, is its authentic preparation. We’re talking about bone-in fried chicken, lovingly cooked in a cast iron skillet to achieve that unparalleled crispness, then gloriously coated in a delectable honey butter sauce.
This recipe delivers the “real deal” – a true classic brought to new heights. There’s a time and place for grilled nuggets, baked chicken, or chicken tenders, and while they can certainly be delicious, sometimes you just crave the tradition and superior flavor of bone-in fried chicken. It stands as the king of poultry dishes for a reason: the bone helps to lock in moisture, resulting in incredibly juicy and flavorful meat with every bite. The slow, even cooking in a cast iron skillet ensures a golden, crunchy exterior that simply cannot be replicated by other methods. This is hearty, satisfying comfort food at its finest.
If you’ve previously enjoyed the chicken wings recipe and adored their crispy texture, then you’re in for an absolute treat with this one, as we’ve utilized the same tried-and-true method for the chicken’s crust. But let’s take a moment to celebrate the star of this dish: the sauce. It’s deceptively simple yet incredibly effective, harmonizing perfectly with the savory fried chicken. How can anyone resist a heavenly blend of fresh garlic, rich butter, golden honey, and a touch of salt? This sauce transforms ordinary fried chicken into an extraordinary culinary experience.
Perfect Pairings and Creative Variations for Your Honey Butter Fried Chicken
To truly complete this meal, a warm batch of butter biscuits comes highly recommended. Their soft, flaky texture and buttery flavor provide the perfect contrast to the crispy, saucy chicken, making for an incredibly satisfying bite. The simplicity of a good biscuit allows the complex flavors of the honey butter chicken to shine through beautifully.
For those looking for a different spin, consider deboning chicken breast and crafting a mouth-watering honey butter crispy chicken sandwich. Nestled between two toasted buns with a slice of cheese and perhaps some pickles or a fresh slaw, this sandwich could easily become a new favorite. The versatility of this recipe means you can enjoy the fantastic honey butter flavor in many exciting ways.
Essential Tips for Perfectly Crispy Honey Butter Fried Chicken
Achieving restaurant-quality fried chicken at home is easier than you think with these expert tips:
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Fry for Optimal Crispness:
Ensure your chicken is fried on each side for approximately 8-10 minutes. This initial frying step creates that desirable golden-brown, crispy crust before the chicken finishes cooking through.
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Finish in the Oven for Food Safety:
After frying, transfer the chicken to the oven to finish cooking. This ensures the chicken is cooked thoroughly to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) without burning the exterior. A good meat thermometer is your best friend here!
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Room Temperature Chicken is Key:
Always allow your chicken to come to room temperature before frying. This promotes even cooking and prevents the exterior from burning while the inside remains undercooked.
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Choose the Right Oil:
For deep frying, avoid oils with low smoke points like olive oil or coconut oil, as they can burn and impart an undesirable flavor. These oils are better suited for lighter cooking methods.
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Recommended Frying Oils:
For the best results, use peanut or canola oil. Both have high smoke points, neutral flavors, and are excellent for achieving that perfectly crispy texture.
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Brine for Maximum Juiciness:
Don’t skip brining the chicken in a simple salt/water solution. This step is crucial for tenderizing the meat and infusing it with flavor, ensuring your fried chicken is incredibly juicy from the inside out.
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Maintain Oil Temperature:
Use a thermometer to keep your frying oil at a consistent temperature, ideally around 325-350°F (160-175°C). Too low, and the chicken will be greasy; too high, and it will burn before cooking through.
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Don’t Crowd the Pan:
Fry chicken in batches to avoid overcrowding the skillet. Overcrowding drops the oil temperature significantly, leading to soggy, rather than crispy, chicken.
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Double Dredging for Extra Crunch:
For an extra crispy crust, consider double dredging. After the first coat in the flour-egg mixture, let it rest briefly, then dredge it a second time. This builds a thicker, more robust crust.
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Rest the Chicken:
After frying and baking, allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes before tossing in the sauce. This helps the juices redistribute, ensuring tender and moist chicken.
More Delicious Recipes You’ll Love:
If you’re a fan of comforting and flavorful dishes, be sure to explore these other fantastic recipes from our kitchen:
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Classic Chicken Fried Steak with Savory Gravy
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Sweet and Sticky Honey Baked Turkey Wings
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Rich and Flavorful Creamy Smothered Chicken Thighs
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Aromatic Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken
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Hearty and Comforting Chicken Stew
Honey Butter Fried Chicken
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Ingredients
Fried Chicken:
- 2 lbs bone-in chicken
- 6 cups water
- 1/4 cup salt
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 4 tbsp all purpose flour
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 eggs
- salt and pepper to taste
Honey Butter Sauce:
- 4 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 garlic cloves
- pinch of red crushed pepper
- 2-3 dried red chilies, optional
- salt to taste
Instructions
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In a large bowl, combine the water and salt, stirring until the salt is fully dissolved. This creates your brine.
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Submerge the bone-in chicken pieces in the brine. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for a minimum of one hour, or preferably up to four hours, to ensure maximum juiciness and flavor.
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Remove the chicken from the brine, pat it thoroughly dry with paper towels, and let it sit at room temperature for about 20-30 minutes before coating. This ensures even cooking and a crispier skin.
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In a large bowl, prepare your coating by combining the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, granulated garlic, onion powder, and paprika. In a separate shallow bowl, lightly beat the eggs and season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
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Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then, dip it into the beaten eggs, letting any excess drip off. Finally, return it to the flour mixture for a second, thorough coating. Let the coated chicken rest for about 20 minutes; this helps the coating adhere better during frying.
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and place an oven-safe rack on a baking sheet. This will be used to finish cooking the chicken.
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Heat about 2-3 inches of peanut or canola oil in a large cast iron skillet or deep heavy-bottomed pot to 325-350°F (160-175°C). Carefully place chicken pieces into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 8-10 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.
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Once golden and crispy, transfer the fried chicken to the prepared baking sheet with the rack. Bake in the preheated oven for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 165°F (74°C).
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While the chicken is finishing in the oven, prepare the honey butter sauce. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
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Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minute, stirring constantly, until it becomes wonderfully fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
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Stir in the honey, dried chilies (if using, for a subtle heat), and a pinch of red crushed pepper. Continue to stir and season with salt to taste, balancing the sweet and savory notes.
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Allow the sauce to gently simmer and thicken slightly for a few minutes. Once the chicken is fully cooked, immediately place the hot, crispy chicken pieces into the skillet with the sauce. Toss gently to ensure each piece is thoroughly coated with the luscious honey butter glaze.
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Serve your incredible Honey Butter Fried Chicken immediately with warm butter biscuits and your favorite sides. Enjoy every sweet, savory, and crispy bite!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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