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Hot Honey Chicken Bowl Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 124 reviews

This Hot Honey Chicken Bowl features crispy, juicy fried chicken thighs tossed in a spicy-sweet hot honey sauce, served over a bed of fluffy rice with creamy avocado, tangy pickled red onions, and green onions for freshness. It’s an addictive combination of heat, honey sweetness, and savory flavors that makes for a perfect comfort food meal with a kick.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Coating

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Frying

  • Vegetable oil, for frying (about 2-3 inches deep)

Hot Honey Sauce

  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot or sriracha)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Assembly

  • 2 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine)
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/4 cup pickled red onions (see pickling recipe below)
  • Sesame seeds, for garnish
  • Optional: Sriracha mayo, for drizzling

Pickled Red Onions

  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Make Pickled Red Onions: Thinly slice the red onion. In a small saucepan, combine apple cider vinegar, water, sugar, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring until sugar and salt dissolve. Place sliced onions in a jar or heat-safe bowl and pour hot brine over them to submerge. Let cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. They keep up to 2 weeks.
  2. Marinate Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine chicken pieces with buttermilk, hot sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes up to 4 hours to tenderize and flavor.
  3. Prepare Coating: In a shallow dish, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and pepper until evenly combined.
  4. Coat Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade and dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing to adhere. Shake off excess flour.
  5. Heat Oil: Pour 2-3 inches of vegetable oil into a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Heat over medium-high until oil reaches 350°F (175°C).
  6. Fry Chicken: Carefully add chicken pieces in batches without overcrowding. Fry 5-7 minutes per batch, turning halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F/74°C).
  7. Drain: Remove fried chicken with a slotted spoon and transfer to a wire rack lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
  8. Make Hot Honey Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder. Simmer over low heat, stirring, for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Adjust heat level to taste.
  9. Toss Chicken in Sauce: Place fried chicken in a large bowl and toss with hot honey sauce until evenly coated.
  10. Assemble Bowls: Divide cooked rice among serving bowls. Top with hot honey chicken, sliced avocado, pickled red onions, and chopped green onions. Garnish with sesame seeds and drizzle sriracha mayo if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Marinating the chicken in buttermilk and spices tenderizes and adds flavor.
  • Do not overcrowd the oil when frying to ensure crispy chicken.
  • Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F for perfect frying.
  • Pickled onions add a tangy, crunchy contrast and can be made ahead.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes and hot sauce in the sauce to control spiciness.
  • Sriracha mayo drizzle is optional but adds a creamy, spicy element.

Keywords: hot honey chicken bowl, fried chicken, spicy honey sauce, pickled red onions, comfort food, crispy chicken, buttermilk fried chicken

Find it online: https://bakedbylisa.com/hot-honey-chicken-bowl-recipe/