Crispy Honey BBQ Chicken

Growing up, Sunday nights were family dinner nights, and my mom’s crispy chicken was always the star of the table.
One evening, she decided to toss those golden bites in a sticky-sweet honey BBQ sauce — and just like that, Crispy Honey BBQ Chicken became a permanent favorite in our home.

Now, it’s my go-to recipe whenever I’m craving comfort food that feels a little special but is still super easy to pull together.
After lots of tweaking, testing different coatings, and hunting down the perfect sauce balance, this version nails it: ultra crispy chicken + thick, glossy, sweet-savory sauce.

Trust me, once you try it, you’ll never go back to plain nuggets or store-bought wings again.

Why You’ll Love This Crispy Honey BBQ Chicken

• Super crunchy coating: Thanks to a double-dredging technique.
• Sticky, flavorful sauce: The perfect blend of sweet, smoky, and tangy.
• Family-friendly: Loved by both kids and adults (not too spicy!).
• Easy ingredients: Mostly pantry staples you probably already have.
• Versatile serving options: Perfect for dinners, parties, or even game day!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to make Crispy Honey BBQ Chicken:

For the Chicken:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice)
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• Oil for frying (canola or vegetable oil)

For the Honey BBQ Sauce:

• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce (your favorite brand)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for extra smoky flavor)

For Serving:

• Chopped parsley or green onions
• Optional: ranch or blue cheese dressing on the side

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Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:

• Buttermilk: Helps tenderize and flavor the chicken — homemade works just fine!
• Cornstarch: Key for an extra-light, crispy crust.
• BBQ Sauce: Use what you love — smoky, sweet, or spicy varieties all work.
• Honey: Adds that sticky, glossy finish that clings beautifully to the crispy chicken.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken

In a bowl, pour buttermilk over the chicken pieces.
Let them soak for at least 20–30 minutes (or up to overnight in the fridge for extra juicy chicken).

Pro Tip: A quick marinade is fine, but longer = more tender and flavorful chicken!

2. Prepare the Dredge

In another bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

3. Bread the Chicken

Remove chicken from buttermilk (let excess drip off), then dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture.
For extra crispiness, you can double dredge: dip back into buttermilk and then flour again.

4. Fry the Chicken

Heat 2–3 inches of oil in a deep pan or Dutch oven to 350°F.
Fry chicken in batches for about 4–5 minutes per batch, or until golden brown and cooked through (165°F internal temperature).

Place cooked chicken on a wire rack or paper towels to drain.

5. Make the Honey BBQ Sauce

While the chicken fries, combine the BBQ sauce, honey, butter, apple cider vinegar, and smoked paprika in a saucepan over medium heat.
Stir until the butter melts and the sauce is smooth and glossy (about 3–4 minutes).

Tip: Don’t boil the sauce; just warm it enough to meld flavors together.

6. Toss and Serve

Once all the chicken is fried, toss it gently with the warm honey BBQ sauce (or drizzle sauce over the chicken if you prefer it extra crispy).

Garnish with parsley or green onions, and serve immediately!

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Expert Tips for the Best Crispy Honey BBQ Chicken

• Double dredge: This creates a thicker, crunchier coating.
• Use a thermometer: Keeping the oil around 350°F is crucial — too hot and the outside burns, too cool and it turns greasy.
• Toss chicken lightly: Coat with sauce gently to avoid losing that crispy texture.
• Serve immediately: Crispiest results come from serving right after tossing in sauce!

Variations and Substitutions

• Baked Version: Bake breaded chicken at 400°F on a wire rack for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway. Toss in sauce afterward.
• Air Fryer Version: Air fry at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, spraying lightly with oil halfway through.
• Spicy Honey BBQ: Add a tablespoon of hot sauce or sriracha to the sauce.
• Different Proteins: Try this with shrimp, turkey, or tofu for a twist!

Serving Suggestions

• With French Fries or Potato Wedges: Classic pairing!
• On Top of a Salad: Add crunch and flavor to a simple green salad.
• Inside Wraps or Sandwiches: Wrap with lettuce and ranch dressing.
• As Party Bites: Skewer them with toothpicks for a crowd-friendly app!

Storage and Reheating Tips

• Storage: Keep leftover chicken (sauced or unsauced) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheating: For best texture, reheat in the oven at 375°F or in an air fryer for 5–8 minutes until crispy.
• Freezing: Freeze breaded but uncooked chicken pieces. Fry or bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to cooking time.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?
Absolutely! The honey BBQ sauce can be made up to 5 days ahead. Just reheat gently before tossing with chicken.

What’s the best BBQ sauce to use?
It depends on your preference — smoky, spicy, or sweet BBQ sauces all work beautifully. I personally love a smoky-sweet combo.

Can I oven-bake the chicken instead of frying?
Yes! Baking on a wire rack helps the chicken crisp up nicely without the extra oil.

How spicy is this recipe?
It’s very mild as written. To kick up the heat, add a little hot sauce to the BBQ mix.

Is this good for meal prep?
It’s best served fresh, but you can prep the chicken and sauce separately and combine just before eating for best results.

(Optional) Approximate Nutrition Information (per serving):

• Calories: 570
• Protein: 35g
• Fat: 30g
• Carbs: 45g
• Sugar: 18g

If you’re looking for the ultimate crispy, sticky, finger-licking good chicken recipe, this Crispy Honey BBQ Chicken delivers.
It’s easy enough for a weeknight, impressive enough for guests, and guaranteed to be a hit at any table.

If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear what you think! Drop a comment, leave a rating, or share your masterpiece on social media and tag me — I’m always excited to see your creations!