Honey Butter Fried Chicken Recipe

If you love that perfect blend of crispy, golden fried chicken with a luscious, sweet-savory sauce, then you are going to adore this Honey Butter Fried Chicken Recipe. I absolutely love how the tender bite-sized chicken pieces get double-fried to achieve that crave-worthy crunch, then get coated in a sticky honey butter sauce with just the right hint of garlic and a touch of sesame. It’s a recipe that hits all the right notes, especially when you need something special for family dinners or casual get-togethers.

When I first tried this Honey Butter Fried Chicken Recipe, I was blown away by how easily the flavors come together and how satisfying every bite is. The sauce clings perfectly to the chicken, giving you that glossy, addictive coating that makes you want to eat more (and more). Whether you’re cooking for kids, friends, or yourself, you’ll find this recipe super approachable and well worth having in your kitchen lineup.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together beautifully to give you that rich honey butter flavor balanced with crispy fried chicken. A few pantry staples like soy sauce, sesame oil, and cornstarch play a big role, so make sure you have them handy for best results.

• Chicken breast: Boneless chicken breasts or thighs work great; I prefer thighs for juiciness, but breasts keep it lean.
• White pepper: Adds gentle heat without overpowering the sweet sauce.
• Regular soy sauce: The saltiness in the marinade helps tenderize and flavor the chicken deeply.
• Egg: Binds the marinade and cornstarch to the chicken for a great coating.
• Cornstarch: The secret to that crispy crust—coat evenly for best texture.
• Toasted sesame seeds: Sprinkle on top for a lovely nuttiness and crunch boost.
• Spring onions: Fresh green garnish that brightens the dish before serving.
• Neutral oil: Use one with a high smoke point like vegetable or canola oil for frying.
• Garlic: Minced cloves sautéed in butter give the sauce its fragrant base.
• Honey: Sweetness that balances the savory and salty notes perfectly.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a luscious sauce consistency.
• Brown sugar: Deepens the caramel-like flavor in the sauce.
• Light soy sauce: For a slightly lighter soy flavor in the sauce, but regular soy sauce works too.
• Sesame oil: Adds that signature toasty aroma and flavor to the sauce.
• Cornstarch slurry: Thickens the sauce to that nice glossy coating we all love.
• Crushed chili (optional): Adds a subtle heat I adore, but you can skip if you prefer mild.

Variations

I like to tweak this Honey Butter Fried Chicken Recipe depending on what mood I’m in or who I’m cooking for. Feel free to customize it with spices, sauces, or dipping options to make it your own — you can’t really go wrong here.

• Spicy kick: I add crushed dried chili flakes to the sauce when I want a little heat; it wakes up the flavors gorgeously.
• Gluten-free: Swap the soy sauce for a gluten-free tamari and use potato starch instead of cornstarch for a safe alternative.
• Crispier crust: Try mixing cornstarch with a little rice flour for an even crunchier finish.
• Different proteins: While chicken works best, you can try this recipe on shrimp or tofu for a fun twist.

How to Make Honey Butter Fried Chicken Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Marinate Your Chicken

First, cut your chicken into bite-size cubes — that’s key for getting even cooking and maximum crispiness. Toss the chicken with an egg, soy sauce, and white pepper in a bowl. This mixture not only seasons the chicken but helps the cornstarch stick better later on. Once everything’s mixed well, coat the chicken pieces thoroughly with cornstarch. Don’t rush the coating; you want each piece nicely dusted so the texture comes out just right.

Step 2: Double Fry for Ultimate Crunch

Heat your oil to 350°F (180°C) — use a thermometer if you can to keep the temp steady. Fry the chicken cubes in batches for 1-2 minutes, just until they’re set but not browned. Take them out and let them cool for a bit. Then, fry a second time for 2-3 minutes until your chicken pieces reach a gorgeous golden brown and are irresistibly crispy. Double frying is the trick I discovered that keeps the chicken juicy inside and ultra crunchy outside without drying it out.

Step 3: Make the Honey Butter Sauce

In a pan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes until it smells heavenly. Lower the heat and add soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, more butter, sesame oil, your cornstarch slurry to thicken, and crushed chili if you’re using it. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens to that perfect glossy sheen. This sauce truly brings the whole dish together — sweet, buttery, and just a little savory with a touch of nutty sesame.

Step 4: Coat the Chicken and Garnish

Toss your fried chicken pieces into the warm sauce — make sure each piece is generously coated with that sticky honey butter goodness. Finish with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and chopped spring onions for freshness and crunch. Grab a plate, dive in, and enjoy the magic!

How to Serve Honey Butter Fried Chicken Recipe

Garnishes

I love topping this dish with freshly chopped spring onions and a generous sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds — they add both color and an extra dimension of flavor. Sometimes, I mix in some crushed peanuts for an earthy crunch that pairs beautifully with the sauce. If you want a little heat, a dash of red chili flakes sprinkled on top makes this dish pop.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides include simple steamed jasmine rice, which soaks up all the honey butter sauce perfectly, and a crisp cucumber salad that cuts through the richness with fresh, cool flavors. Roasted veggies or a light Asian slaw are also wonderful around this chicken because they add freshness and balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like serving this Honey Butter Fried Chicken Recipe on a large platter garnished with edible flowers and extra spring onions for a colorful feast. You can also turn it into a fun finger food by skewering the chicken pieces for easy snacking at parties. Another idea I tried is placing the chicken pieces on crispy lettuce cups with a drizzle of extra sauce and fresh herbs for a light, elegant bite.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover honey butter fried chicken in an airtight container in the fridge, and it stays good for up to 3 days. To keep the chicken crispy, I separate the chicken pieces from the sauce if I know I won’t eat it right away, then re-toss them in the sauce before reheating. This way, you avoid soggy fried coating.

Freezing

If you want to freeze this dish, freeze the fried chicken pieces separately, not coated in sauce. When you’re ready to eat, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat in the oven to restore crispiness before mixing with freshly made sauce. This keeps the best texture and flavor intact.

Reheating

To reheat, I find the oven or an air fryer works best to revive that crispy texture—set it around 350°F (175°C) for about 8-10 minutes. After warming the chicken separately, gently toss it in a quickly warmed honey butter sauce for that fresh-from-the-kitchen feel.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Honey Butter Fried Chicken Recipe holds a special place in my cooking heart because it effortlessly combines satisfying crunch, rich buttery sweetness, and that addictively sticky sauce that keeps everyone coming back for seconds. It’s approachable enough for a weeknight but impressive enough to serve when company’s over. If you give this recipe a try, I promise you’ll enjoy the process as much as the delicious results—a true winner in any kitchen.

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