Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken – Crispy, Sticky, and Irresistible

If you love crispy fried chicken coated in a sweet, spicy, and sticky glaze, this Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken is going to be your new obsession! It’s everything you want in a comfort food dish—tender, crunchy chicken bites tossed in a bold honey-pepper sauce that perfectly balances sweetness, heat, and a savory kick.

Whether you serve it over rice, with mashed potatoes, or as a side with roasted veggies, this dish is guaranteed to be a hit. The best part? It’s easy to make at home and tastes just as good (if not better) than your favorite restaurant-style honey pepper chicken!

Let’s dive into making this crispy, saucy, flavor-packed masterpiece!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

✔️ Crispy & Crunchy – The perfect golden-brown coating for every bite.
✔️ Sweet & Spicy Balance – The honey adds a rich sweetness, while black pepper and red pepper flakes bring the heat!
✔️ Easy to Make – Simple ingredients, big flavors, and no complicated steps.
✔️ Perfect for Any Occasion – Serve it over rice for dinner or as an appetizer for game day!
✔️ Customizable Heat Level – Adjust the spice to your preference!

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken:

• 1 ½ lbs chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces – The base of our crispy bites.
• 1 cup buttermilk – Helps tenderize the chicken and keeps it juicy.
• 1 cup all-purpose flour – Creates a light, crispy coating.
• ½ cup cornstarch – Adds extra crunch to the breading.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder – Enhances the flavor.
• 1 teaspoon onion powder – Adds a savory depth.
• ½ teaspoon salt – Brings out the flavors.
• ½ teaspoon black pepper – Adds a little kick.
• ½ teaspoon paprika – For color and mild smokiness.
• Oil for frying – Vegetable or canola oil works best.

For the Honey Pepper Sauce:

• ⅓ cup honey – The perfect natural sweetener.
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce – Adds a deep umami flavor.
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar – Balances the sweetness with acidity.
• 1 teaspoon black pepper – Gives a bold, peppery bite.
• ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes – Adjust based on your spice preference.
• 2 cloves garlic, minced – Essential for flavor.
• 1 tablespoon butter – Adds richness to the sauce.

💡 Want to turn up the heat? Add a dash of hot sauce or extra red pepper flakes to the sauce!

Step 1: Soak the Chicken in Buttermilk

Before we start frying, we need to tenderize the chicken and help the breading stick.

• Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and cover them with buttermilk.
• Let them soak for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight if you have extra time).
• This process keeps the chicken juicy while also adding a light tangy flavor.

💡 Short on time? Even 10-15 minutes in buttermilk will help improve the texture!

Step 2: Prepare the Breading

While the chicken is soaking, let’s get our crispy coating ready!

• In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together:
  ✔️ Flour
  ✔️ Cornstarch
  ✔️ Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper

💡 Why add cornstarch? It creates a lighter, crispier crust that stays crunchy even after being coated in sauce!

Step 3: Heat the Oil

For perfectly fried chicken, we need to get the oil to the right temperature.

• Heat about 2 inches of oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
• If you don’t have a thermometer, test by dropping in a small piece of batter—if it sizzles and floats, the oil is ready!

💡 Too hot? The chicken will burn outside before cooking inside.
💡 Too cold? The chicken will absorb oil and get soggy.

Now that we’ve got our chicken soaking in buttermilk, our crispy breading ready, and the oil heated to perfection, it’s time to move on to the most exciting parts—frying the chicken to golden crispiness and making that irresistible honey pepper sauce!

This is where all the magic happens—let’s get frying!

Step 4: Coat the Chicken for the Crispiest Texture

• Remove the chicken pieces from the buttermilk, letting the excess drip off.
• Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour-cornstarch mixture, pressing lightly to ensure an even, thick coating.
• Place the coated pieces on a plate or wire rack for a few minutes before frying—this helps the coating stick better during frying.

💡 Pro Tip: For extra-crispy chicken, dip each piece back into the buttermilk, then dredge it in the flour mixture a second time before frying!

Step 5: Fry the Chicken to Golden Perfection

• Carefully place the coated chicken pieces into the hot oil, working in small batches to avoid overcrowding.
• Fry for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy.
• Use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove the chicken and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

💡 Want the crispiest texture? Place the fried chicken on a wire rack instead of paper towels—this prevents it from getting soggy underneath!

Step 6: Make the Honey Pepper Sauce

While the chicken is frying, let’s prepare the sticky, sweet, and spicy honey pepper sauce!

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine:
  ✔️ ⅓ cup honey
  ✔️ 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  ✔️ 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  ✔️ 1 teaspoon black pepper
  ✔️ ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust for spice preference)
  ✔️ 2 cloves garlic, minced

• Stir everything together and bring it to a simmer for about 2-3 minutes, letting the flavors meld.

• Reduce heat and stir in 1 tablespoon butter, letting it melt into the sauce for a rich, glossy finish.

💡 Want extra heat? Add a drizzle of sriracha or a pinch of cayenne pepper!

Step 7: Toss the Chicken in the Honey Pepper Sauce

Now that we have crispy fried chicken and a bold, flavorful honey pepper sauce, it’s time to bring them together!

• Place the fried chicken in a large mixing bowl.
• Pour the warm honey pepper sauce over the chicken, tossing gently to coat each piece evenly.

💡 Prefer extra saucy chicken? Set aside a little extra sauce for drizzling just before serving!

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!

Your Sweet and Spicy Honey Pepper Chicken is now ready to be devoured!

Best Ways to Serve It:

🍚 Over Rice – The sauce soaks into fluffy rice for the perfect meal.
🥔 With Mashed Potatoes – A delicious combo of crispy, sweet, and creamy.
🥗 With Roasted Veggies – Broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers pair beautifully.
🥢 As an Appetizer – Serve with toothpicks for a crowd-pleasing snack!

💡 Garnish Ideas: Sprinkle with sesame seeds, green onions, or extra black pepper for the perfect finishing touch!

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