If you crave the perfect harmony of flaky, buttery biscuits, crackling crispy chicken, and a luscious drizzle of sweet heat, Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits are the creation your taste buds have been waiting for. This Southern-inspired sandwich is a vivid mix of textures and flavors: tender, juicy fried chicken snuggled inside buttery homemade biscuits, all slathered with sticky, spicy hot honey. Whether you’re serving this for brunch, lunch, or an indulgent dinner, it never fails to steal the show and bring a smile to everyone’s face. Let’s dive into the secrets behind this irresistible comfort food classic!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits lies in the simplicity of their ingredients—each one carefully chosen to craft the layers of flavor and texture that define this legendary sandwich. Every component, from the tang of buttermilk to the fiery drizzle of honey, plays a starring role in making each biscuit taste like pure magic.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy base for both biscuits and chicken dredge, ensuring light, crisp textures every bite.
- Baking powder & soda: These twin leaveners guarantee your biscuits puff up tall and fluffy, not flat or dense.
- Salt: Essential for rounding out all the flavors and making both the biscuits and chicken shine.
- Granulated sugar: Adds a whisper of sweetness to balance savory notes in the biscuit dough.
- Unsalted butter (cold, cubed): Cold butter is the key to those gorgeous flaky layers in your homemade biscuits.
- Buttermilk (cold): Its tang adds complexity to both biscuits and chicken marinade, keeping everything tender inside.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts: Choose your favorite; thighs are juicy, breasts are lean—just slice to biscuit size.
- Cornstarch: Added to the flour mix, it makes the fried chicken exterior extra crunchy and crackly.
- Garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper: This trio brings deep flavor and a little heat to every juicy chicken piece.
- Black pepper: Sharpens all the seasonings with a subtle kick.
- Oil for frying: Use a neutral, high-heat oil (like canola or peanut), so the chicken fries up crisp and golden.
- Honey: The sweet foundation for your unforgettable hot honey drizzle.
- Hot sauce: Adjust to your preferred spice level for that Southern signature heat in the honey drizzle.
- Red pepper flakes (optional): For those who want even more fire in their sauce.
How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits
Step 1: Make the Buttermilk Biscuits
Start by preheating your oven to a piping hot 450°F. In a roomy bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Add in that cubed, ice-cold butter and use your fingers or a pastry blender to work it in until you see little pea-sized bits—it should resemble coarse crumbs. Stir in the cold buttermilk just until the dough comes together, and don’t overmix! Turn the dough onto a floured surface, gently pat it into a 1-inch high rectangle, then fold it over itself two or three times (this is your secret to flaky layers). Use a round cutter to stamp out perfect biscuits, arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake for 12–15 minutes until gloriously golden.
Step 2: Marinate and Fry the Chicken
While the biscuits bake, let’s tend to the star of the show—fried chicken! In a bowl, give the chicken pieces a luxurious buttermilk bath for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight in the fridge for deeper flavor and tenderness). In another bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, and all your seasonings so every chicken bite is intensely flavorful. Heat about 2 inches of oil in a sturdy skillet to 350°F. Remove chicken from the marinade, let the excess drip off, and dredge generously in the seasoned flour mix. Fry the chicken in batches (don’t crowd the pan!) for about 4–6 minutes per side, until deeply golden and perfectly crisp. Let drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 3: Stir Up the Hot Honey
While the kitchen fills with biscuit and chicken aromas, whip up your signature sauce. In a small saucepan over low heat, gently warm the honey until it’s runny. Stir in as much hot sauce as your heart (and tongue) desire, along with a pinch of red pepper flakes if you’re feeling bold. Take it off the heat once smooth and well combined—you want a pourable, glossy sauce.
Step 4: Assemble the Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits
Now comes the best part—putting everything together. While the biscuits are still warm, slice them in half and nestle one or two pieces of crispy fried chicken inside. Pour that luscious hot honey over the top (don’t be shy!), close the biscuit, and get ready for one of the most satisfying bites of your life. Serve immediately for maximum crunch and flavor.
How to Serve Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits
Garnishes
Garnishing Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits is where you can truly put your stamp on the dish. A scattering of sliced green onions or fresh chives adds a pop of color and a mild oniony bite. For extra decadence, a thin slice of sharp cheddar or a dab of creamy coleslaw tucked under the chicken brings coolness to balance the heat. Don’t forget a final crack of black pepper or a drizzle of extra hot honey right before serving—it’s irresistibly eye-catching!
Side Dishes
The savory, spicy, and sweet magic of Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits pairs beautifully with simple, Southern-inspired sides. Think crisp, crunchy pickles, creamy macaroni and cheese, a classic potato salad, or a fresh, tangy cucumber salad. For brunch, a pile of roasted breakfast potatoes or cheesy grits turns this sandwich into a truly memorable meal.
Creative Ways to Present
There’s no wrong way to showcase Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits, but a few creative flourishes always win hearts. For brunch parties, serve them slider-style with mini biscuits for bite-sized fun. Stack them high on a rustic wooden board and drizzle hot honey tableside for a dramatic touch. Or, wrap them up picnic-style for the ultimate grab-and-go feast—these biscuits travel surprisingly well and are guaranteed to impress!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits (lucky you!), store any unassembled biscuits and fried chicken separately in airtight containers. Biscuits keep best at room temperature for up to two days, while the chicken is happiest in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keep the hot honey in a small jar at room temperature.
Freezing
Both the biscuits and the chicken freeze beautifully for future cravings! Wrap cooled biscuits tightly in plastic wrap, and freeze the fried chicken pieces on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. They’ll keep their best flavor for about a month. Thaw biscuits at room temperature and reheat the chicken in the oven for crispiness.
Reheating
To revive that fresh-from-the-oven magic, warm biscuits in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes. For fried chicken, spread pieces on a lined baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes until piping hot and crispy. Briefly warm the hot honey on the stovetop or in the microwave before drizzling over your assembled Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought biscuits instead of homemade?
Absolutely! While homemade makes a big difference, in a pinch, high-quality store-bought buttermilk biscuits work just fine and still deliver on the comfort and flavor you crave.
How spicy are the Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits?
The beauty here is that you control the spice. You can tone down the hot sauce or skip the red pepper flakes to keep things mild, or add more for a fiery kick! Taste as you mix your hot honey and adjust to your comfort level.
Can this recipe be made gluten-free?
Definitely. Use a trusted gluten-free flour blend (with baking powder already included, if possible) for both the biscuits and chicken coating, and double check all your ingredient labels for gluten content.
What’s the best way to keep the chicken crispy if not serving immediately?
After frying, place the chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and keep it warm in a 200°F oven. This helps excess oil drain away and keeps your crispy coating intact until you’re ready to assemble.
Can I make extra hot honey and store it?
Yes! Hot honey lasts up to two weeks in a sealed jar at room temperature. It’s amazing drizzled over pizza, roasted veggies, or even vanilla ice cream—so make extra and try it everywhere!
Final Thoughts
Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits are a true crowd-pleaser, blending familiar comfort with bold, crave-worthy flavor. If you love warm, flaky biscuits and fried chicken, this recipe is about to earn a top spot in your favorites. Gather your ingredients, invite some hungry friends, and prepare to fall in love—your kitchen is about to smell absolutely incredible!
PrintHot Honey Chicken Biscuits Recipe
Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits are a delightful combination of crispy fried chicken, drizzled with a spicy-sweet hot honey sauce, sandwiched between homemade buttermilk biscuits. This Southern-inspired dish is perfect for a comforting brunch or a satisfying main course.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour (plus marinating time)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying, Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
Buttermilk Biscuits:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
- 3/4 cup cold buttermilk
Crispy Chicken:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts (cut into biscuit-sized pieces)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- oil for frying
Hot Honey:
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1–2 teaspoons hot sauce (like Frank’s or your favorite)
- pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Make the biscuits: Preheat oven to 450°F. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the buttermilk just until combined. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently pat into a 1-inch thick rectangle. Fold dough over itself 2–3 times, then cut out biscuits using a round cutter. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 12–15 minutes until golden.
- Prepare the chicken: In a bowl, marinate chicken in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight). In another bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, and seasonings. Heat about 2 inches of oil in a skillet to 350°F. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off, and dredge in the flour mixture. Fry chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 4–6 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
- Make the hot honey: In a small saucepan, warm honey over low heat and stir in hot sauce and red pepper flakes. Remove from heat once combined.
- Assemble: Slice warm biscuits in half, add a piece of crispy chicken, and drizzle generously with hot honey. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can prep biscuits and hot honey in advance.
- Adjust the spice level of the hot honey to taste.
- For a spicy twist, add hot sauce to the buttermilk marinade.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken biscuit
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 630 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg