Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken
Introduction:
Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken is a mouthwatering dish that brings together the perfect balance of flavors and textures. The chicken is coated in a crispy, seasoned crust, then drizzled with hot honey and topped with creamy feta cheese. The result is a savory, sweet, spicy, and tangy combination that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner, a special occasion, or when you want to impress guests with a flavor-packed meal. The crispy exterior, sweet and spicy heat, and the tangy feta make it truly irresistible.
The History of Ingredients:
- Chicken: Chicken has been a staple protein in various cuisines worldwide for centuries. It is a versatile ingredient that can be prepared in countless ways, from grilling to frying to roasting.
- Hot Honey: The concept of infusing honey with chili peppers has grown in popularity in recent years. Hot honey, often made by combining honey with chili flakes or fresh peppers, offers a unique combination of sweetness and heat. It’s been used as a condiment for pizza, fried chicken, and even desserts.
- Feta Cheese: Feta cheese is a brined curd cheese originating from Greece. It has a crumbly texture and a tangy, salty flavor that makes it an excellent addition to many dishes, particularly those involving chicken, salads, or roasted vegetables.
- Crispy Coating: The crispy coating on the chicken often consists of flour, breadcrumbs, and spices, offering a satisfying crunch that contrasts with the tender chicken inside.
This dish draws inspiration from various culinary traditions, including Mediterranean flavors (with feta) and the ever-popular trend of sweet-and-spicy heat (hot honey).
Ingredients Breakdown:
- Chicken: Bone-in, skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts work well for this recipe. Thighs offer more flavor and moisture, while breasts are leaner.
- Breadcrumbs: A crispy coating is made from panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs) for texture. Panko breadcrumbs are lighter and more crunchy, making them ideal for a crispy crust.
- Hot Honey: A mix of honey and chili flakes or fresh chili peppers gives this dish a spicy-sweet kick. You can adjust the heat level depending on your preference.
- Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta adds a creamy, tangy element that contrasts beautifully with the spicy honey.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder give the chicken its savory flavor. Additional spices like cayenne pepper or chili powder can enhance the heat.
- Flour and Eggs: For breading the chicken, flour and eggs create a sticky base that helps the breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken.
- Oil: A neutral oil, such as vegetable or canola oil, is used to fry the chicken for a golden, crispy crust.
Step-by-Step Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup hot honey (or more, to taste)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (or vegetable oil for frying)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken:
Start by prepping the chicken breasts or thighs. If using breasts, you can slice them in half horizontally for a thinner, quicker cook. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which will help the coating stick better. - Season the Chicken:
In a small bowl, mix the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Season both sides of the chicken evenly with the spice mixture. - Prepare the Breading Station:
Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls.- In the first bowl, place the flour.
- In the second bowl, beat the eggs.
- In the third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.
- Coat the Chicken:
Dip each piece of chicken into the flour, making sure it’s fully coated. Next, dip it into the egg mixture, and then coat it in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure an even coating. - Fry the Chicken:
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the breaded chicken to the pan. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy. Depending on the thickness of the chicken, you may need to adjust the cooking time. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). - Make the Hot Honey:
While the chicken is cooking, combine honey with chili flakes or a finely chopped chili pepper in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 2-3 minutes to infuse the honey with the spicy flavor. - Top the Chicken:
Once the chicken is cooked and crispy, transfer it to a plate. Drizzle the hot honey generously over the chicken, then top with crumbled feta cheese. - Serve:
Serve immediately with your favorite side dishes, such as roasted vegetables, rice, or a simple salad. Enjoy the balance of crispy chicken, sweet heat, and creamy feta!
Tips for the Perfect Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken:
- Use Panko Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs provide a lighter, crispier texture than regular breadcrumbs. If you can’t find panko, you can pulse regular breadcrumbs in a food processor for a similar effect.
- Adjust the Heat: You can control the spiciness of the hot honey by adjusting the amount of chili flakes or fresh chilies you add. If you want a milder version, use less chili or opt for a sweet chili sauce instead.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: To achieve a crispy coating, avoid overcrowding the pan while frying the chicken. If necessary, cook the chicken in batches.
- Make Ahead: The hot honey and crispy chicken can be prepared in advance. When ready to serve, simply reheat the chicken and drizzle with the hot honey and feta.
Variations and Customizations:
- Spicy Honey Dijon Chicken: For a tangy twist, replace some of the hot honey with Dijon mustard. This adds a mustardy kick to the dish while still keeping the sweet heat balance.
- Vegetarian Version: Use crispy tofu or cauliflower steaks instead of chicken for a vegetarian version of this dish. The hot honey and feta combo pairs beautifully with plant-based alternatives.
- Add Herbs: Fresh herbs like parsley, basil, or cilantro can be sprinkled over the chicken before serving for added freshness and color.
Health Considerations and Nutritional Value: Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken is indulgent and flavorful but can be calorie-dense due to the breading and frying process. Here’s how you can balance the dish:
- Protein: Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, which is essential for muscle repair and immune function.
- Feta: Feta cheese is rich in calcium and protein but also high in sodium and fat. If you’re concerned about sodium intake, use a reduced-sodium feta.
- Spices: The chili flakes or fresh peppers used in hot honey are packed with antioxidants and can boost metabolism.
- Healthy Fat: Olive oil provides heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, which support cardiovascular health.
If you want to make a lighter version of this dish, consider baking the chicken instead of frying it, and use a smaller amount of honey or opt for a sugar-free hot honey alternative.
FAQ:
- Can I bake the chicken instead of frying it?
Yes! To make a healthier version, you can bake the breaded chicken in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crispy. Lightly spray the chicken with oil to help it crisp up in the oven. - How do I store leftovers?
Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving. You can reheat the hot honey separately and drizzle it over the chicken before serving. - Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes! If you’re not a fan of feta, you can substitute it with goat cheese, mozzarella, or even parmesan for a different flavor profile. - What sides go well with this dish?
This dish pairs wonderfully with roasted vegetables, a simple green salad, rice pilaf, mashed potatoes, or crispy potatoes. You can also serve it with a side of crusty bread to soak up the hot honey sauce. - Can I make the hot honey in advance?
Yes, you can make the hot honey ahead of time and store it in an airtight container for up to two weeks. Just warm it up when you’re ready to use it.
Enjoy this crispy, sweet, spicy, and creamy Chicken Hot Honey Feta dish—it’s the perfect balance of flavors that will become a new favorite!
Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken
Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken is a mouthwatering dish that brings together the perfect balance of flavors and textures. The chicken is coated in a crispy, seasoned crust, then drizzled with hot honey and topped with creamy feta cheese. The result is a savory, sweet, spicy, and tangy combination that is sure to tantalize your taste buds. This dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner, a special occasion, or when you want to impress guests with a flavor-packed meal. The crispy exterior, sweet and spicy heat, and the tangy feta make it truly irresistible.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup / 110g Honey
- 1 1/2 tsp Hot Sauce I like Frank’s or Cholula
- 3/4 tsp Chilli Flakes
- 2 x 250g/9oz Chicken Breasts
- 2 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp EACH: Onion Powder Garlic Powder, Dried Oregano, Black Pepper
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 35 g / 1/4 cup Plain Flour
- 2 Eggs beaten
- 65 g / 1 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- Veg Oil as needed (6-8 tbsp)
- 200 g / 7oz Feta crumbled
Instructions
- Combine the honey, hot sauce and chilli flakes in a bowl and warm in the microwave (20 seconds or so). Stir then leave to cool. You can also do this on the stove in a small pot (just bring to a simmer then remove and cool). You can easily adjust the heat with chilli flakes/hot sauce if desired.
- Horizontally slice the chicken breasts right through the centre to create 4 even-sized breasts. In a small pot or bowl combine the paprika, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, cayenne and black pepper.
- Line up 3 large shallow dishes and place a large tray at the end. The first bowl is flour + half of the seasoning mix, the second is beaten egg and the 3rd is the Panko with the rest of the seasoning. One by one take the chicken and dredge through the flour, into the egg, then the breadcrumbs and finish by placing on the tray. Make sure you thoroughly coat the chicken at each stage (namely the breadcrumbs).
- Add enough oil to coat the base of a large pan and place it over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot enough that a breadcrumb rapidly sizzles, carefully place in the chicken (if you can’t fit 4 pieces then work in 2 batches, top up the oil in between if needed). Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side or until deep golden and crispy on the outside and white/piping hot through the centre. Place on a wire rack above the tray.
- Add the crumbled feta, covering as much of the chicken as possible, then place under the grill on high until it starts turning golden (it should be buttery soft and a little crisp on top).
- Serve with your preferred amount of hot honey drizzled over and enjoy (tightly store leftover honey in the fridge).
Notes
a) Hot Honey – You can make hot honey in a variety of different ways (you can now also buy it from supermarkets too!). I like the simple spice from chilli flakes, alongside some tangy heat from some hot sauce. I like to heat the honey then let it cool as it helps the chilli flakes infuse the honey more efficiently/quickly. You can adjust this to your preferred spiciness if you like. Just add in a dash more chilli flakes after it has cooled, or if you want more spice with the extra tangy flavour, add in a dash more hot sauce. You can also make this ahead of time and tightly store in the fridge.
b) Can I bake the chicken instead? – If you want to bake the chicken then follow these steps:
d) Calories – Slight overestimate as not all the flour/egg/Panko is picked up by the chicken.
- Before you mix in the seasoning, spread the breadcrumbs out on a large tray, spray with oil and bake at 180C/350F for 5 mins or until light golden (be vigilant as they burn quickly).
- Carry on with the recipe for preparing chicken (mix in seasoning, coating etc).
- Instead of frying, place the coated chicken on a large baking tray, spray with oil and bake at 220C/430F for 10 mins. Flip, spray then bake again for 8-10mins, or until golden and crispy and cooked through the centre.
- Continue with feta/grilling.