Artisan Hot Honey Infused Feta Chicken
This elegant yet simple Hot Honey Infused Feta Chicken combines sweet heat with creamy tang perfect for a comforting family dinner or a special date night at home. Oven-baked chicken thighs are brushed with spicy hot honey, then baked under a blanket of crumbled feta and garlic for a flavor-packed dish that’s as gorgeous as it is delicious.
💛 Why You’ll Love It
- Easy to make yet restaurant-worthy
- A balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors
- Uses pantry and fridge staples
- Low-carb and gluten-free
- Ideal for meal prep or quick weeknight dinners
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 lb)
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ⅓ cup hot honey (or honey + 1 tsp chili flakes)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- 4 oz crumbled feta cheese
- Fresh thyme leaves, for garnish
- Optional: lemon wedges, for serving
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prep the Chicken:
Pat chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and dried thyme.
2. Sear:
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs skin-side down for 5–6 minutes until golden-crisp. Flip and cook 2 more minutes. Remove from heat.
3. Add Garlic & Honey:
Lower heat to medium, add minced garlic, and cook 30 seconds until fragrant. Drizzle hot honey evenly over each thigh.
4. Bake:
Transfer skillet to a 400°F (200°C) oven and bake for 20 minutes.
5. Add Feta:
Sprinkle crumbled feta over the chicken and roast for another 5–7 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temp reaches 165°F / 74°C) and feta is lightly golden.
6. Garnish & Serve:
Let rest 5 minutes, then garnish with fresh thyme leaves. Serve with roasted veggies, salad, or cauliflower rice. Squeeze optional lemon over top for brightness.
💡 Tips & Variations
- Sheet pan version: Bake chicken on a rimmed sheet pan; drizzle honey in the last 5 minutes.
- Prefer milder flavors? Use raw honey or reduce chili flakes.
- Add veggies like zucchini or red onion to the skillet to bake with the chicken.
- Swap feta for goat cheese or crumbled queso fresco.
🥡 Storage Tips
Cool leftovers and store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or in a 375°F oven for 10 minutes until warmed through and the honey is bubbly again.
✨ Final Thoughts
This Hot Honey Feta Chicken hits the perfect trifecta of sweet, spicy, and creamy. Elegant enough for guests, yet easy enough for weeknights—plus it’s low-carb and gluten-free. One taste and you’ll see why this flavorful dish is a keeper!
