Amazing 450 Calorie hot honey chicken bites

If you’ve been searching for that perfect sweet heat that makes everyone stop talking and just eat, then you’ve found it with these hot honey chicken bites. Wow! I’m Anna, and I’m a passionate food lover who lives to share simple, flavorful chicken recipes that make everyday cooking easier and definitely more joyful.

I’ve spent years tinkering with glazes and coatings to get that ideal balance—crispy outside, tender inside, and a sauce that makes you lick your fingers clean. Trust me, I’ve tested every trick so you don’t have to waste time! These bites come together fast, hitting all the right notes of tang, spice, and rich honey goodness. They are amazing as a starter or piled high for dinner.

Gather Your Ingredients for Hot Honey Chicken Bites

Getting ready to make these amazing hot honey chicken bites is half the fun! I always lay everything out before I start because once the chicken is marinated, things move quickly. Don’t skip the marinating step; that buttermilk bath is crucial for tenderizing the meat. We need quality ingredients to get that perfect sticky texture and balance of sweet and spicy.

When you gather everything, make sure your spices are fresh—that really makes a difference in the coating!

Chicken Preparation Ingredients

You’ll need about a pound and a half of boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into nice, even 1-inch pieces. For the marinade, grab one cup of buttermilk—don’t water it down! Then, mix in one teaspoon each of garlic powder and paprika, and half a teaspoon each of salt and black pepper. That’s it for the initial flavor boost.

Coating and Frying Ingredients

For the ultimate crisp, we’re mixing one cup of all-purpose flour with half a cup of cornstarch. This combination creates that shatteringly crisp shell. And you’ll need enough oil for frying—I love using vegetable or avocado oil because they handle high heat so well. Just make sure you have about 2 inches deep in your pan.

Crafting the Hot Honey Glaze

This is where the magic happens! We need half a cup of honey, two tablespoons of your favorite hot sauce, and one tablespoon of butter—yes, butter makes the glaze richer! Finish it off with one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar for tang, and if you like extra kick, a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper. That little bit of vinegar cuts through the richness beautifully.

Essential Equipment for Perfect Hot Honey Chicken Bites

You don’t need a fancy kitchen for this recipe, but having the right tools makes achieving that perfect crisp so much easier. Organization is key when you’re frying! Having everything ready means you can focus on the chicken and the heat.

Frying Setup

The most important thing here is your oil vessel. You need a deep skillet or a sturdy pot—something that can hold at least 2 inches of oil safely. Absolutely grab a reliable kitchen thermometer! Frying is all about temperature control, and you can’t guess when you’re aiming for 350°F.

Mixing and Glazing Tools

You’ll need a couple of mixing bowls—one for the marinade and one for the dry coating. A shallow dish is perfect for dredging the chicken pieces evenly. Finally, make sure you have a small saucepan ready for gently warming up that gorgeous sticky glaze.

Mastering the Hot Honey Chicken Bites Preparation

Okay, let’s get cooking! Making these hot honey chicken bites is a sequence of simple steps, but doing each one right ensures you get that restaurant-quality crispiness. Don’t rush the marinating, and definitely don’t overcrowd the pan when frying—those are my two biggest secrets!

Marinating the Chicken

First up, the marinade. Take your cut chicken pieces and toss them lovingly with the buttermilk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. You want every piece swimming in that spiced bath. Cover the bowl and let it sit on the counter for exactly 20 minutes. This is enough time for the buttermilk to work its magic and tenderize the chicken beautifully without letting the meat get too soft.

Achieving the Crispy Coating

While that chicken is soaking up flavor, whisk your flour and cornstarch together thoroughly in that shallow dish. When the 20 minutes are up, pull the chicken pieces out of the buttermilk one by one. Here’s a key tip: let the excess buttermilk drip off before you drop it into the dry mix. You want a coating, not a paste! Press the flour mixture onto the chicken firmly so it sticks well, then shake off any really loose excess before it hits the oil.

Frying for Golden Perfection

Heat up about 2 inches of vegetable or avocado oil in your deep skillet until it hits a steady 350°F. Use your thermometer—it’s non-negotiable here! Fry the coated chicken in small batches. If you dump too many in at once, the oil temperature drops, and you end up with greasy chicken instead of crispy bites. Cook them for about 5 to 6 minutes, turning them now and then until they are deep golden brown. Make sure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) before pulling them out and placing them on paper towel-lined plates to drain.

Creating the Sticky Hot Honey Glaze

While the last batch is frying or draining, make the sauce. Combine the honey, hot sauce, butter, vinegar, and optional cayenne in a small saucepan. Set it over low heat. You just want to warm it gently until the butter melts and everything blends into a smooth, glossy liquid. This should only take about 2 minutes. Keep the heat low so the honey doesn’t scorch!

Tossing and Finishing Your Hot Honey Chicken Bites

Time for the grand finale! Put all your hot, crispy chicken bites into a large, clean bowl. Drizzle that amazing hot honey glaze right over the top. Now, toss gently but quickly until every single piece is evenly coated and sticky. Don’t over-toss or you’ll break the crisp! Finish them immediately with a sprinkle of flaky salt—it enhances the sweet heat—and a scatter of fresh parsley or chives for color.

Tips for Success with Hot Honey Chicken Bites

Achieving that perfect texture when making hot honey chicken bites really comes down to two main things: the oil and the coating. If you nail these two areas, you’ll be pulling golden, crispy pieces out of the fryer every single time. Don’t worry if your first batch isn’t perfect; that’s how we learn what our stove tops like! If you want more inspiration on crispy chicken, check out this classic crispy buttermilk fried chicken recipe.

Oil Temperature Control

I cannot stress this enough: temperature is everything when frying. If your oil is too cool—say, below 325°F—the chicken soaks up all that fat before it has a chance to crisp, and you end up with soggy, heavy bites. If it’s too hot, the outside burns before the inside even hits the safe 165°F mark. Keep that thermometer glued to the side of your pot and aim for that sweet spot of 350°F!

Coating Consistency

When you dredge the chicken, you want a light but complete coat. If you leave too much buttermilk dripping off, the coating turns into a thick, pasty layer that cracks off in the oil. But if you don’t shake off the excess flour mix, you get those hard, crunchy flour “shards” around the edges that aren’t pleasant to bite into. Give it a good shake after dredging to ensure you have an even, thin layer clinging to the meat.

Storage and Reheating Your Hot Honey Chicken Bites

Even though these bites disappear almost instantly, sometimes you end up with a few leftovers, which is totally fine! The key to saving them is handling the sauce and the crispiness correctly. We want to make sure they are just as good the next day, or at least close!

Storing Leftovers Safely

If you have any leftover chicken, the first thing you need to do is separate the sauce from the chicken. If you store the glazed chicken together, the moisture from the hot honey glaze will make the coating completely soggy overnight. Place the plain, fried chicken bites in a single layer in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge. They should be good for up to three days, but honestly, they taste best within 24 hours.

Reheating Options

Never, ever use the microwave if you want these to taste good again! The microwave turns that lovely crisp coating into rubber. Instead, grab your oven or air fryer. Preheat your oven to about 375°F (190°C) and spread the chicken on a baking sheet. Bake them for about 8 to 10 minutes until they are hot all the way through. If you use an air fryer, 350°F for 5 minutes works wonders to bring back that crunch! For more oven-baked chicken ideas, see my guide on oven baked spiced chicken drumsticks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hot Honey Chicken Bites

I get tons of questions every time I post these, and that’s what I love! It means you’re excited to make them. Here are some of the things I hear most often when folks are getting ready to tackle these hot honey chicken bites.

Can I Bake These Hot Honey Chicken Bites Instead of Frying?

Absolutely! If you want to skip the oil, you certainly can. The texture won’t be quite as shatteringly crisp as frying, but they are still delicious. Just lightly coat your marinated chicken in a little oil, skip the flour dredge, and bake them on a sheet pan at 425°F for about 18 to 20 minutes. Then toss them right into the hot honey glaze!

How Can I Adjust the Spice Level in the Glaze?

This is totally personal, right? If you like it mild, skip the optional cayenne pepper entirely and maybe cut back on the hot sauce slightly. If you want serious heat, use a hotter sauce or double that cayenne pepper! You can also add a pinch of red pepper flakes right into the flour dredge for heat that comes from the crust first.

What is the Best Oil to Use for Frying?

For deep frying, you want a neutral oil with a high smoke point. I always recommend using vegetable oil or avocado oil. They are flavorless, so they won’t compete with your sweet and spicy glaze, and they handle that 350°F heat like champions without breaking down too fast.

Nutritional Estimates for Hot Honey Chicken Bites

I always like to give a rough idea of what you’re looking at when you make a batch of these incredible hot honey chicken bites. Remember, since these are fried and glazed, the numbers can change based on how much glaze you use or what cut of chicken you end up with! These figures are just a starting point, but they give you a good idea.

Estimated Nutritional Breakdown Table

Nutrient	Estimate
Calories	460
Fat	15g
Carbohydrates	38g
Protein	36g

Please keep in mind these are just estimates based on the ingredient amounts listed and assume 4 servings. Your actual results might vary slightly! If you are looking for more low-calorie chicken options, check out this 350 calorie chicken salad recipe.

Share Your Delicious Hot Honey Chicken Bites Experience

I truly hope you loved making these! Seriously, let me know when you whip up a batch of these hot honey chicken bites. Did you go spicy or mild on the glaze? I love hearing how you tweak my recipes in your own kitchen. Drop a comment below and tell me how they tasted! You can also see more of my recipe ideas on Pinterest.

Print