Description
Crispy, juicy fried chicken tossed in a sticky hot honey garlic glaze that balances sweet heat with bold garlicky aroma.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lb chicken thighs or drumsticks, bone-in and skin-on
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp salt, divided
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 2 large eggs
- 6 cups vegetable oil, for frying
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup honey
- 3 tbsp hot sauce
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry. In a bowl, whisk buttermilk with 1/2 tsp salt and black pepper. Submerge chicken and marinate 1 hour or up to overnight.
- In a second bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, and remaining 1/2 tsp salt.
- Beat the eggs in a third bowl until smooth.
- Heat vegetable oil in a Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C). Set a wire rack over a baking sheet.
- Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip. Dredge in flour mixture, dip in eggs, then return to flour for a thick double coat. Rest coated pieces on the rack 5 minutes.
- Fry chicken in batches 12 to 14 minutes, turning once, until deep golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Drain on the rack.
- For the glaze, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook 30 to 45 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 1 to 2 minutes until glossy and slightly thickened. Adjust heat or sweetness to taste.
- Toss warm fried chicken with the hot honey garlic glaze until evenly coated.
- Rest 2 minutes so the glaze sets, then serve immediately with extra drizzle if desired.
Notes
- Keep oil between 325°F and 350°F for even crisping.
- Double-coating boosts crunch, especially on drumsticks.
- Glaze the chicken while still warm so it clings beautifully.
- For milder heat, reduce hot sauce and omit red pepper flakes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece, about 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: hot honey garlic fried chicken, crispy fried chicken, sweet and spicy chicken, weeknight dinner, crowd-pleaser