If you’re craving the ultimate comfort food experience, look no further than this Fried Chicken Biscuits With Hot Honey Butter Recipe. Imagine juicy, buttermilk-brined fried chicken thighs nestled inside fluffy, buttery biscuits, all crowned with a luscious, spicy-sweet hot honey butter and a tangy crunch from bread and butter pickles. This dish perfectly balances savory, sweet, and heat in every bite, making it an irresistible treat for breakfast, brunch, or anytime you want a little indulgence on your plate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Fried Chicken Biscuits With Hot Honey Butter Recipe lies in its use of simple, approachable ingredients that create complex flavors and textures. Each component is thoughtfully chosen to contribute to the crispiness, tenderness, richness, and the spicy-sweet finish that makes this dish stand out.
- Buttermilk: Essential for tenderizing the chicken and infusing it with a subtle tang.
- Kosher salt: Balances flavor and aids in the brining process.
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs: Perfectly juicy and flavorful for frying.
- All-purpose flour: Creates that irresistible crispy coating on the chicken.
- Garlic powder: Adds a savory depth.
- Onion powder: Contributes aromatic sweetness.
- Freshly ground black pepper: Gives a mild heat and sharpness.
- Cayenne pepper: Kicks up the spice level just right.
- Paprika: Offers smoky color and flavor.
- Vegetable oil: For frying, chosen for its neutral flavor and high smoke point.
- Unsalted butter: Softened perfectly for mixing into the hot honey butter.
- Honey: The golden sweetness that harmonizes with the spicy heat.
- Hot sauce: Adds that fiery punch that makes the honey butter unforgettable.
- Buttermilk biscuits: Fluffy and buttery, the perfect base for our chicken.
- Bread and butter pickles: Provide a tangy crunch that cuts through the richness.
You’ll find the full ingredient list, instructions, and print option in the recipe card below.
How to Make Fried Chicken Biscuits With Hot Honey Butter Recipe
Step 1: Brining the Chicken
Begin by whisking together the buttermilk and kosher salt in a large bowl until the salt dissolves. Submerge your chicken thighs fully in this brine, cover the bowl, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or, for extra tenderness, overnight. This step is key to keeping your chicken juicy and flavorful after frying.
Step 2: Preparing the Dredge
While your chicken is brining, mix the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne, and paprika in another large bowl. This seasoned flour mixture is what creates the crispy, flavorful crust everyone loves in fried chicken biscuits.
Step 3: Frying to Golden Perfection
Heat vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed pan or Dutch oven until it reaches 350ºF. One piece at a time, take the chicken out of the marinade, letting excess buttermilk drip off, then dredge in the flour mixture, shaking off any extra coating. Carefully place each piece in the hot oil and fry until golden brown on all sides, about eight minutes total. Drain on a rack or paper towels to keep them crisp and not greasy.
Step 4: Making the Hot Honey Butter
While the chicken fries, blend softened unsalted butter, honey, and your preferred hot sauce in a stand mixer or with a whisk until smooth and evenly combined. This hot honey butter is the magic finishing touch that adds a rich, sweet, and spicy kick to the dish.
Step 5: Assembling the Sandwiches
Split your warm buttermilk biscuits in half, place a crispy fried chicken thigh on the bottom half, dollop with a generous tablespoon of the hot honey butter, and crown with a few bread and butter pickles. Close the biscuit and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
How to Serve Fried Chicken Biscuits With Hot Honey Butter Recipe
Garnishes
Adding bread and butter pickles is a simple yet brilliant choice, giving you a bright, tangy crunch that cuts through the richness of the fried chicken and honey butter. Fresh herbs like chopped chives or parsley can also add a pop of color and subtle freshness that enhances the overall dish.
Side Dishes
To round out your meal, consider pairing these biscuits with classic Southern sides: creamy coleslaw for a crisp contrast, smoky baked beans for earthy sweetness, or crispy fries for a satisfying crunch. Even a fresh garden salad can balance the richness and bring in some lightness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the Fried Chicken Biscuits With Hot Honey Butter Recipe as sliders at a party to let guests dig in easily. You can also offer a build-your-own biscuit bar with different pickles, hot sauces, and even a few extra biscuit options like cheddar or herb varieties to add some fun and variety.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, store the fried chicken and biscuits separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator to keep each component fresh. The hot honey butter can be kept covered at room temperature for a day or refrigerated for longer storage.
Freezing
You can freeze cooked fried chicken for up to 2 months by wrapping each piece tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil or storing in a freezer bag. Biscuits freeze well too; just thaw and warm them gently before assembling your sandwich again.
Reheating
To reheat the fried chicken, place it on a baking sheet in a preheated oven at 375ºF for about 10-15 minutes to restore its crispiness. Warm the biscuits separately in the oven or microwave. Reapply or warm the hot honey butter before serving for the freshest taste.
FAQs
Can I use bone-in chicken thighs instead of boneless?
Absolutely! Bone-in thighs will add even more flavor and juiciness, but they may require a slightly longer frying time to cook through safely.
What kind of hot sauce works best for the hot honey butter?
Crystal hot sauce is a classic choice because of its balanced flavor and moderate heat. However, feel free to use your favorite hot sauce, whether it’s sriracha, Frank’s, or something spicier, depending on your heat preference.
Can I make the hot honey butter ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the hot honey butter up to 3 days in advance and store it covered in the refrigerator. Just bring it to room temperature before using so it spreads easily.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep and freezing?
Definitely! Prep the chicken and biscuits in batches and freeze separately. Assemble and warm up when you’re ready for a quick, satisfying meal.
Can I substitute the biscuits with something else?
You could use waffles, English muffins, or even toasted sandwich buns if you want a twist, but traditional buttermilk biscuits really bring the best texture and flavor balance.
Final Thoughts
This Fried Chicken Biscuits With Hot Honey Butter Recipe is the kind of dish that makes you want to share it with everyone you love, and then savor every bite yourself. Once you try this combo of crispy, juicy chicken with the spicy-sweet butter and flaky biscuits, you’ll understand why it’s such a crowd-pleaser. Don’t wait for a special occasion — whip it up soon and enjoy the delicious comfort of this Southern-inspired classic.
PrintFried Chicken Biscuits With Hot Honey Butter Recipe
Enjoy a Southern classic with these Fried Chicken Biscuits topped with a spicy hot honey butter and tangy bread and butter pickles. Buttermilk-brined chicken thighs are dredged in a seasoned flour mix and fried to golden perfection, then served on flaky, warm buttermilk biscuits. The hot honey butter adds a perfect balance of sweetness and heat, making this sandwich a flavorful breakfast or comfort food indulgence.
- Prep Time: 12 hours
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 12 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Breakfast, Sandwich
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American, Southern
Ingredients
For the Fried Chicken:
- 2 cups low-fat buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- Vegetable oil, as needed, for frying
For the Hot Honey Butter:
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce of choice (Crystal hot sauce recommended)
For Serving:
- 4 Buttermilk biscuits, split in half lengthwise and warmed
- Bread and butter pickles, as needed
Instructions
- Brine the Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and kosher salt until combined. Submerge the chicken thighs in the buttermilk brine, cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 12 hours for best flavor and tenderness.
- Prepare the Flour Dredge: When ready to fry, combine the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and paprika in a large mixing bowl. Whisk thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a large, heavy-bottomed cast iron skillet or Dutch oven to a depth of about 1 inch. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C), suitable for frying.
- Dredge the Chicken: Remove each chicken thigh from the buttermilk brine one at a time, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Dredge thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess flour before frying.
- Fry the Chicken: Carefully place the dredged chicken thighs into the hot oil, frying in small batches to avoid overcrowding. Cook until golden brown on all sides and cooked through, about 8 minutes total. Remove the chicken and place it on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet or on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Make the Hot Honey Butter: In a stand mixer bowl fitted with the whisk attachment, combine softened butter, honey, and hot sauce. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and fully incorporated. Alternatively, mix vigorously by hand using a spatula.
- Assemble the Biscuits: Warm the buttermilk biscuits and split each biscuit in half lengthwise. Place a fried chicken thigh on the bottom half, top with a tablespoon of hot honey butter, and add bread and butter pickles as desired. Close the biscuit and serve immediately.
Notes
- Fry the chicken in small batches to maintain a steady oil temperature, ensuring crispy, golden-brown crusts without greasiness.
- Brining the chicken in buttermilk for several hours tenderizes the meat and adds moisture.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the honey butter to control the level of spiciness.
- Use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature accurately for safe and even frying.
- Serve immediately after assembling to enjoy crispy chicken and warm biscuits at their best.