Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits

Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits are the ultimate Southern comfort food, combining crispy fried chicken with flaky, buttery buttermilk biscuits. This homemade version is 100x better than fast food and features a sweet and spicy kick that will make it your new favorite meal. Whether you are serving these for a cozy weekend brunch or a crowd-pleasing game day snack, they are guaranteed to be a total flavor bomb.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

There is something truly magical about the combination of salty, crispy chicken and sweet, spicy honey. These Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits take that classic pairing and elevate it with from-scratch buttermilk biscuits that are far superior to anything you can find at a drive-thru. You will love how the tangy pickles cut through the richness of the butter and fried coating, creating a perfectly balanced bite.

This recipe is also incredibly rewarding to make. While it requires a bit of time and patience to fry the chicken and laminate the biscuit dough, the result is an impressive, restaurant-quality dish made for under $20. Plus, you have total control over the ingredients, ensuring your family enjoys fresh, real food made with a whole lot of love.

Ingredients for Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits

• 1-1/2 to 2 pounds chicken tenders (or boneless skinless breasts sliced into 1-inch strips)
• 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour (divided for chicken and biscuits)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus extra for biscuits)
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 large egg
• 2 tablespoons water
• Vegetable, canola, or peanut oil for frying
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup cold butter (1 stick)
• 3/4 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted for brushing)
• 1 cup honey
• 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prepare the Fried Chicken: Fill a large pot with about 2 inches of oil and set it to medium heat. In a large bowl, mix 1-1/2 cups of flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. In a separate dish, whisk the egg and water together. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour, dip it into the egg wash, and then coat it in the flour once more.
2. Fry the Chicken: Once the oil reaches 365-375 degrees F (or sizzles when a pinch of flour is dropped in), add the chicken in batches of 2-4 pieces. Fry until golden brown and cooked through, which usually takes 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the crispy chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
3. Prepare the Biscuit Dough: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Cut the cold butter into small cubes or use a box grater to shred it directly into the flour. Work the butter into the dry ingredients until it looks like coarse crumbs, then stir in the buttermilk with a spatula until a soft dough forms.
4. Fold and Cut the Biscuits: Turn the dough onto a floured surface. Pat it into a rectangle and fold it in thirds like a letter. Repeat this process two more times to create flaky layers. Flatten the dough to 1/2-inch thickness and use a 2.5-inch biscuit cutter to cut out 10-12 biscuits.
5. Bake the Biscuits: Place the biscuits on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 15-17 minutes until lightly golden brown. Immediately brush the tops with melted butter upon removing them from the oven.
6. Make the Hot Honey: In a small saucepan, combine the honey and red pepper flakes. Simmer over medium heat, then remove from the heat and stir in the apple cider vinegar. Let it cool slightly before using.
7. Assemble the Sandwiches: Split the warm biscuits in half. Place a piece of crispy fried chicken on the bottom half, drizzle generously with the homemade hot honey, and top with pickle slices if desired. Close the sandwich and serve immediately.

Expert Tips for the Best Chicken Biscuits

To achieve the ultimate flaky texture in your biscuits, make sure your butter and buttermilk are ice cold. Using a box grater to shred the butter is a professional trick that ensures even distribution without overworking the dough. When cutting the biscuits, press straight down with the cutter and do not twist; twisting seals the edges and prevents the biscuits from rising high.

For the chicken, maintaining the correct oil temperature is vital. If the oil is too cold, the chicken will be greasy; if it is too hot, the outside will burn before the inside is cooked. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F for safety and juiciness.

Variations and Substitutions

If you prefer a different level of spice, you can easily customize the hot honey. Swap the red pepper flakes for a sliced habanero or a teaspoon of cayenne pepper for a smoother, more intense heat. For a different flavor profile, try adding a half teaspoon of smoked paprika to the honey mixture.

If you are short on time, you can use high-quality store-bought frozen biscuits, though the homemade version is highly recommended for the best experience. You can also swap the chicken tenders for boneless chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat, which stays exceptionally juicy during the frying process.

Serving Suggestions

Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits are a complete meal on their own, but they pair beautifully with classic Southern sides. Serve them alongside a bowl of creamy macaroni salad, a crisp Southern potato salad, or even some buttermilk fried pickles. For a refreshing beverage, a cold glass of homemade lemonade or sweet tea is the perfect accompaniment to balance the heat of the honey.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating

Store any leftover chicken and biscuits separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To maintain the crispiness of the chicken, it is best to reheat it in an air fryer at 350 degrees F for 3-5 minutes or in an oven at 375 degrees F. Avoid the microwave, as it will make the breading soggy.

The biscuits can be frozen for up to 2 months. Simply wrap them tightly in foil and place them in a freezer bag. Reheat frozen biscuits in a 350-degree oven until warmed through. The hot honey can be stored in a glass jar at room temperature for several weeks or in the fridge for longer storage.

Nutrition Information

Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits

Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits are the ultimate Southern comfort food, combining crispy fried chicken with flaky, buttery buttermilk biscuits. This homemade version features a sweet and spicy kick that will make it your new favorite meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 10 sandwiches

Course: Brunch, Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Southern

Calories: 540

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Fried Chicken

• 1.5 lbs chicken tenders or boneless skinless breasts sliced into 1-inch strips
• 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 0.25 tsp black pepper
• 0.25 tsp garlic powder
• 0.25 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp water
• Vegetable oil for frying

Buttermilk Biscuits

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 0.25 tsp baking soda
• 0.5 tsp kosher salt approximate
• 0.5 cup cold butter 1 stick
• 0.75 cup buttermilk
• 0.25 cup unsalted butter melted for brushing

Hot Honey

• 1 cup honey
• 2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Method

 

1. Fill a large pot with about 2 inches of oil and set it to medium heat. In a large bowl, mix 1-1/2 cups of flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. In a separate dish, whisk the egg and water together. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour, dip it into the egg wash, and then coat it in the flour once more.
2. Once the oil reaches 365-375 degrees F, add the chicken in batches of 2-4 pieces. Fry until golden brown and cooked through, which usually takes 8 to 10 minutes, then transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
3. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups of flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
4. Cut the cold butter into small cubes or shred it directly into the flour. Work the butter into the dry ingredients until it looks like coarse crumbs, then stir in the buttermilk with a spatula until a soft dough forms.
5. Turn the dough onto a floured surface, pat into a rectangle, and fold in thirds. Repeat this process two more times, flatten to 1/2-inch thickness, and cut out 10-12 biscuits.
6. Bake for 15-17 minutes until lightly golden brown, then immediately brush the tops with melted butter.
7. In a small saucepan, simmer honey and red pepper flakes over medium heat. Remove from heat, stir in apple cider vinegar, and let cool slightly.
8. Split warm biscuits in half, place a piece of fried chicken on the bottom, drizzle with hot honey, top with pickles if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

Ensure your butter and buttermilk are ice cold to achieve the ultimate flaky texture in your biscuits. Use a meat thermometer to confirm the chicken reaches 165 degrees F without burning the coating.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I make the hot honey ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the hot honey well in advance. It stays fresh at room temperature for up to two weeks or in the refrigerator for several months. If it crystallizes, simply warm the jar in a bowl of hot water to return it to a liquid state.

What if I do not have buttermilk for the biscuits?

You can make a quick substitute by adding one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a cup of regular milk. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until it curdles slightly before using it in the recipe.

Can I use an air fryer for the chicken?

While traditional frying gives the best “fast food” style crunch, you can air fry the chicken. Lightly spray the breaded chicken with oil and cook at 400 degrees F for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

How do I stop my biscuits from being flat?

Ensure your baking powder is fresh and that you do not over-mix the dough. The folding process (lamination) is what creates those tall, flaky layers. Also, make sure your oven is fully preheated to 450 degrees F before the biscuits go in.