When you think of Southern comfort food, what comes to mind? For me, it’s always the irresistible combination of flaky buttermilk biscuits, crispy fried chicken, and a drizzle of something sweet. Enter these Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits, a dish that brings together all the best flavors and textures of classic Southern cooking.
Picture this: golden, juicy fried chicken with just the right amount of crunch, tucked inside a warm, buttery biscuit that practically melts in your mouth. Add a drizzle of hot honey for a kick of sweet and spicy goodness, and you’ve got a dish that feels indulgent yet completely approachable. Whether you’re hosting a weekend brunch, preparing a special dinner, or just looking to treat yourself, these chicken biscuits are guaranteed to impress.
I first made this recipe on a rainy Sunday, hoping to recreate the kind of hearty, satisfying meal you’d find at a classic Southern diner. From that day forward, it became a staple in my kitchen. Now, it’s my go-to recipe for impressing guests or when I’m in the mood for something comforting yet full of flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are countless reasons to fall in love with Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits. First and foremost, the flavor combination is unbeatable. The seasoned fried chicken, flaky biscuits, and sweet-yet-spicy honey work together in perfect harmony. Beyond the flavors, these biscuits are incredibly versatile. Serve them for breakfast, brunch, or dinner, and they’ll fit right in.
Another reason you’ll love this recipe is the customizable heat level. Whether you prefer a subtle hint of spice or a bold kick, you can easily adjust the hot honey to suit your tastes. Finally, this recipe brings a homemade touch that makes it extra special. While it does require a few steps, the results are worth it, and even beginners can follow the process with ease.
Preparation Time and Servings
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 6 biscuits with chicken
Ingredients
For this recipe, you’ll need a mix of pantry staples and fresh ingredients. Here’s everything required to create these delicious chicken biscuits:
The Fried Chicken:
- 1 pound chicken tenders or sliced boneless chicken breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons water
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
The Buttermilk Biscuits:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup cold butter (cubed or grated)
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing)
The Hot Honey:
- ½ cup honey
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Fried Chicken
To start, heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pot or skillet over medium-high heat. It’s essential to monitor the oil temperature, so use a thermometer to ensure it reaches 365-375°F. While the oil heats, set up your dredging stations. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. In another dish, whisk together the egg and water.
Once the oil is ready, coat each piece of chicken in the flour mixture. Next, dip it into the egg wash, and then coat it again with the flour mixture. This double-dredge technique ensures an extra crispy coating. Shake off any excess flour, then carefully lower the chicken into the hot oil. Fry in batches for 8-10 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. After frying, transfer the chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
2. Make the Buttermilk Biscuits
While the chicken rests, prepare the biscuits. Begin by preheating your oven to 450°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Add the cold butter to the dry ingredients and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut it into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Slowly pour in the buttermilk, stirring gently until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the biscuits tough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently pat it into a rectangle. To create those classic flaky layers, fold the dough over itself, pat it out again, and repeat this process 2-3 times.
Using a biscuit cutter, cut out rounds of dough and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Remember to gather any scraps, reshape the dough, and cut additional biscuits. Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until the biscuits are golden brown. For an extra touch of flavor, brush the tops with melted butter immediately after removing them from the oven.
3. Make the Hot Honey
While the biscuits bake, it’s the perfect time to prepare the hot honey. In a small saucepan, combine the honey and crushed red pepper flakes. Heat the mixture over medium heat until it begins to simmer gently. Once the honey is infused with the pepper flakes, remove the pan from the heat and stir in the apple cider vinegar. Allow the hot honey to cool slightly before drizzling it over the chicken biscuits.
4. Assemble the Biscuits
Finally, it’s time to assemble. Carefully slice each biscuit in half. Place a piece of fried chicken on the bottom half, then generously drizzle with the hot honey. Top with the other half of the biscuit and serve immediately. For an extra burst of flavor, add a few pickle slices before topping the biscuit.
Tips for Success
To ensure the best results, keep these tips in mind. First, always use cold butter when making the biscuits, as this is key to achieving flaky layers. If the butter starts to soften while you’re working, chill the dough in the fridge for a few minutes before continuing.
Second, monitor the oil temperature closely while frying. Maintaining a temperature between 365-375°F will ensure crispy chicken without excess grease. If the oil gets too hot or too cool, adjust the heat as needed.
Third, customize the spice level of your hot honey. If you’re sensitive to heat, reduce the amount of red pepper flakes. Alternatively, for a spicier kick, feel free to add more.
Finally, avoid overmixing or overkneading the biscuit dough. Handling the dough too much can lead to dense, tough biscuits, so be gentle for the best texture.
Recipe Variations
This recipe is incredibly versatile, so feel free to get creative. For instance, you could make cheesy biscuits by mixing shredded cheddar or Parmesan into the dough. If you prefer spicier fried chicken, add cayenne pepper or chili powder to the flour mixture.
For a milder option, you can replace the hot honey with a blend of melted butter and honey. Additionally, if you want a healthier version, try using whole wheat flour in the biscuits or opt for air-fried chicken instead of deep-frying.
Serving Suggestions
These Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits are incredibly satisfying on their own, but they can also be paired with a variety of sides to create a complete meal. For dinner, consider serving them with coleslaw, roasted vegetables, or a green salad. For brunch, they’re perfect alongside scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, and coffee.
Storing and Reheating
If you have leftovers, store the biscuits and chicken in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm the biscuits in a 350°F oven until soft, and re-crisp the chicken in an air fryer or oven. The hot honey can be stored at room temperature in a sealed jar for up to a week.
Final Thoughts
These Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits are the perfect blend of sweet, savory, and spicy flavors. With crispy fried chicken, buttery biscuits, and a drizzle of bold hot honey, they’re everything you could want in a comfort food recipe. Whether you’re making them for brunch, dinner, or a special gathering, they’re sure to impress. I’d love to hear how they turn out for you—did you stick to the recipe or try a variation? Share your photos and tag me online so I can see your delicious creations!
PrintHot Honey Chicken Biscuits
- Total Time: About 1 hour
- Yield: 6 biscuits with chicken 1x
Description
These Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits combine crispy, golden fried chicken with soft, flaky buttermilk biscuits and a spicy-sweet hot honey drizzle. Perfect for brunch, dinner, or as a special weekend treat, this recipe is comfort food at its best.
Ingredients
For the Fried Chicken:
- 1 pound chicken tenders or sliced chicken breasts
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 egg
- 2 tablespoons water
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Buttermilk Biscuits:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup cold butter, cubed or grated
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (for brushing)
For the Hot Honey:
- ½ cup honey
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy pot to 365-375°F.
- Mix flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a shallow dish. In another dish, whisk egg and water.
- Dredge chicken in the flour mixture, dip it in egg wash, and coat it again with the flour mixture. Shake off excess and fry for 8-10 minutes, until golden. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
- Preheat oven to 450°F. In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda for the biscuits. Work in the cold butter until the mixture is crumbly. Add buttermilk and mix until dough forms.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Fold and pat the dough 2-3 times, then cut with a biscuit cutter. Place biscuits on a baking sheet and bake for 15-17 minutes. Brush tops with melted butter.
- For the hot honey, simmer honey and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan. Remove from heat, stir in apple cider vinegar, and let cool.
- Assemble by splitting biscuits in half, adding fried chicken, and drizzling with hot honey. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Keep the butter cold when making biscuits for extra flakiness.
- Adjust the spice level of the honey to your preference.
- For lighter chicken, use an air fryer instead of frying in oil.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying and Baking
- Cuisine: Southern-inspired