Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits: A Southern Classic with a Fiery Twist

Few dishes embody Southern comfort food better than a warm, buttery biscuit paired with crispy fried chicken. Add a drizzle of sticky-sweet hot honey, and you’ve got a flavor-packed masterpiece that works for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner.

This recipe combines flaky homemade (or store-bought) biscuits, golden-brown fried chicken tenders, and a quick homemade hot honey glaze. The result? A sandwich that’s crunchy, buttery, spicy, and sweet all in one bite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Balance of Flavors: The crispy, salty chicken pairs perfectly with the sweetness and heat of hot honey.
2. Customizable Heat: Adjust the spice level by adding more or less cayenne to the honey.
3. Versatile Meal: Serve as a hearty breakfast, a grab-and-go lunch, or as sliders for game day.
4. Restaurant Quality at Home: Skip the drive-thru—these taste even better homemade.

The Secret to Perfect Fried Chicken

The key lies in buttermilk brining. Soaking the chicken in seasoned buttermilk tenderizes the meat while adding flavor. A seasoned flour dredge with paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne ensures every bite is crispy and well-seasoned. Frying in hot oil seals the crust while keeping the inside juicy.

The Biscuits

You can use store-bought biscuits to save time, but homemade biscuits elevate this dish to a whole new level. Flaky, buttery layers hold up beautifully against the hot honey and chicken.

The Hot Honey Glaze

This star of the recipe is simply honey simmered with chili flakes and cayenne. The sweetness soothes the spice, creating that addictive sweet-heat balance.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Brine the Chicken: Marinate chicken thighs or tenders in buttermilk for at least 1 hour (overnight for best flavor).
2. Prepare the Dredge: Mix flour, cornstarch, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Coat the Chicken: Dip marinated chicken in flour mixture, pressing firmly to coat.
4. Fry Until Golden: Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) and fry chicken until crispy and cooked through.
5. Make the Biscuits: Bake fresh biscuits or reheat store-bought ones.
6. Make Hot Honey: Warm honey with chili flakes, cayenne, and a touch of butter.
7. Assemble: Place fried chicken inside a biscuit, drizzle generously with hot honey, and serve warm.

Serving Suggestions

• Breakfast: Add a fried egg and cheese.
• Game Day Slider: Use mini biscuits for bite-sized sandwiches.
• Family Dinner: Serve with coleslaw or a side of mac and cheese.

Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits

Flaky biscuits filled with crispy fried chicken and drizzled with spicy hot honey—a Southern-inspired comfort food favorite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings: 6 biscuits

Course: Breakfast, Lunch, Snack

Cuisine: American, Southern

Calories: 480

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Chicken

• 1.5 lbs boneless chicken thighs or tenders
• 1 cup buttermilk for brining
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.25 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp paprika
• 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper adjust to taste
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups vegetable oil for frying

Biscuits

• 6 buttermilk biscuits homemade or store-bought

Hot Honey

• 0.5 cup honey
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Cast iron skillet or deep fryer
• Wire rack
• Baking sheet

Method

 

1. Marinate chicken in buttermilk for at least 1 hour or overnight.
2. Mix flour, cornstarch, paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a shallow bowl.
3. Coat chicken in flour mixture, pressing to adhere.
4. Heat oil in skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken until golden brown and fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes per piece.
5. Bake or warm biscuits as directed.
6. In a small saucepan, heat honey with red pepper flakes and cayenne until warm and infused.
7. Assemble sandwiches by placing fried chicken inside biscuits and drizzling generously with hot honey.

Notes

Serve immediately while warm. Store leftover chicken separately to keep crispy.

Tips for Success

• Double Dredge: For extra-crunchy chicken, dip chicken back in buttermilk and dredge again before frying.
• Keep Warm: Place fried chicken on a wire rack in a 200°F oven while you prepare the rest.
• Flavor Variations: Try maple hot honey for a sweeter twist or add smoked paprika for a BBQ kick.

Why Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits Are Trending

Social media and Southern-inspired restaurants have made hot honey chicken biscuits a viral sensation. The combo of spicy + sweet is irresistible, and the biscuit format makes it handheld and satisfying. It’s the perfect comfort food with a gourmet twist.