Why You’ll Love This Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken
If you’re craving something bold, flavorful, and simple to prepare, this crispy hot honey feta chicken recipe hits all the right notes. It brings together the perfect balance of textures and flavors—crunchy breaded chicken, sweet heat from the hot honey, and a cool, tangy finish from crumbled feta.
It’s ideal for busy weeknights, family dinners, or impressing guests with a restaurant-quality dish at home.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 3 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil, for frying
For the Hot Honey:
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1–2 teaspoons hot sauce (such as sriracha or Frank’s RedHot)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
For Serving:
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- Lemon wedges (optional)
How to Make Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken
1. Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt and pepper.
2. Set Up Breading Stations
Prepare three shallow bowls:
- One with flour
- One with beaten eggs
- One with a mix of panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and smoked paprika
3. Bread the Chicken
Dredge each chicken piece in flour, then egg, then panko mixture. Press the breadcrumbs firmly to adhere.
4. Pan-Fry the Chicken
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side or until golden brown and fully cooked. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
5. Make the Hot Honey
In a small saucepan, combine honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes. Heat on low until warmed through, stirring occasionally. Do not boil.
6. Assemble and Serve
Place chicken on a plate, drizzle with hot honey, and sprinkle with crumbled feta. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired.
Tips and Variations
- Make it oven-friendly: Bake breaded chicken at 425°F for 20–25 minutes.
- Use an air fryer: Cook at 400°F for 15 minutes for a healthier version.
- Feta substitutions: Try goat cheese or blue cheese if preferred.
- Adjust heat level: Control the spice by using more or less hot sauce and pepper flakes.
Serving Suggestions
This dish pairs well with:
- Roasted vegetables
- Garlic mashed potatoes
- Couscous or rice
- A crisp cucumber and tomato salad
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes. Bread the chicken and store in the fridge for up to 12 hours before cooking. Hot honey can be made ahead and stored in an airtight container.
Can I use pre-made hot honey?
Absolutely. Store-bought hot honey is a great time-saver, though making your own allows you to adjust the spice level.
Can I make this gluten-free?
Yes. Use gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs in place of regular ones.
What if I don’t like feta?
You can skip the feta or replace it with crumbled goat cheese or even a yogurt drizzle for a tangy balance.
Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken – Sweet, Spicy, and Crunchy
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Make this crispy hot honey feta chicken recipe in under 30 minutes. Perfectly crunchy chicken, sweet and spicy honey glaze, and tangy feta make this dish unforgettable.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste
3 tablespoons olive oil or avocado oil, for frying
1/4 cup honey
1–2 teaspoons hot sauce
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Fresh parsley for garnish
Lemon wedges (optional)
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
2. Set up three bowls for flour, beaten eggs, and panko mixture with Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika.
3. Dredge chicken in flour, then egg, then panko mixture.
4. Heat oil in a skillet and fry chicken 4-5 minutes per side until golden and cooked.
5. Warm honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes in a saucepan until combined.
6. Drizzle hot honey over chicken, top with feta and parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
For a healthier version, bake the breaded chicken at 425°F for 20-25 minutes.
Adjust the spice level by varying the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes.
This recipe is easily adaptable for gluten-free diets by using gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg