Are you ready to hop on the hot honey trend? This air fryer hot honey chicken is not just trendy but a family favorite that’s perfect for an easy dinner.
Hot honey has taken the food world by storm because it is a fantastic combination of sweet and spicy. And what better way to use it than on some crisp and juicy air fryer chicken?
And I show you how to make your own buttery hot honey sauce at home, so you don’t have to buy a ridiculously priced bottle at the store! Plus, the air fryer makes for a quick meal and easy cleanup.
So let’s take a basic chicken recipe and turn it into sticky and sweet hot honey chicken that will become a family favorite.
Reader Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This was super easy! A+ says my husband. I followed the recipe almost exactly. It is very moist, crispy outside, and delicious. I plan on making this for company soon. 5* STARS!
— Cherie
🥘Key Ingredients
For exact amounts needed see the recipe card below
- Boneless chicken breast
- Hot sauce
- Honey
- Oil
- Garlic
- Paprika
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper
- Butter
Love air fryer chicken? Try Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken, Air Fryer Stuffed Chicken Breasts, Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken or Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Breast for more tasty chicken dinners.
🍯Store Bought Hot Honey vs. Homemade
You can buy hot honey at the grocery store or make quick hot honey from hot sauce, honey and butter. Considering how expensive hot honey is, I prefer to make my own!
Just melt some butter, stir in honey and your favorite hot sauce. It doesn’t get much simpler than that!
🥣How to Make Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken
- Prep – Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Then use a sharp knife to score it diagonally on top. This helps get the seasoning to all of the chicken.
- Make seasoning – Mix the garlic, hot sauce, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper with the oil.
- Coat Chicken – Put the chicken in the air fryer basket, keeping it in a single layer. Spread the seasoning mix over the top, getting some down into the slits.
- Air Fry – Cook at 380 degrees F for 18 minutes. Then use a meat thermometer to verify the chicken has reached 165 degrees F. Cook it for another 2-3 minutes if necessary.
- Make Hot Honey – While the chicken cooks, combine the butter, honey, and hot sauce and microwave for 10-15 seconds until the butter melts. Stir.
- Brush Hot Honey on Chicken – Transfer chicken to a serving platter and brush it with the hot honey butter sauce before serving.
🍴Serving Ideas
Garnish the air fryer hot honey chicken with parsley and serve it with rice and a veggie. It goes great with simple side dishes like air fryer green beans or air fryer eggplant. A potato side like rosemary and garlic roast potatoes is also an excellent choice.
Serve it with extra sauce for those who want it more sweet and spicy. This is a great family dinner that offers something for everyone.
💭How to Store
Store leftover hot honey chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 days. It is delicious when diced and added to a salad for lunch. Or make it into a hot honey chicken wrap.
⭐Tips for Making the Best …
Be sure to check out the step by step instructions
- Scoring the chicken helps the seasoning get down into the meat.
- You can leave out the hot sauce and make air fryer honey chicken.
- Add some hot pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the seasoning to make it even hotter.
- This works great with chicken thighs or drumsticks too! Decrease the cooking time to about 15 minutes, but always check the internal temperature before serving.
Did You Make This? Leave a Star Rating!
Air fryer Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 tablespoon oil
Hot Honey Sauce *see notes
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
Instructions
- Score chicken breast diagonally with a sharp knife.2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Mix the garlic, hot sauce, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oil together in a small bowl.2 garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon hot sauce, 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon garlic powder, Salt and pepper to taste, 1/2 tablespoon oil
- Put the chicken pieces in the air fryer basket and spread the seasoning mixture on top. Parchment paper in the bottom of the air fryer basket helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- Place in the air fryer, and cook for 18-20 minutes at 375° F.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to verify the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- While the chicken cooks, put butter, hot sauce, and honey in a shallow bowl and microwave for 10-20 seconds or until the butter is almost melted. Mix together.2 tablespoons butter, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- When the chicken is done, take it out and baste it with the butter mixture.
Notes
- Substitute 4 tablespoons of store-bought hot honey sauce if you prefer.
- You can leave out the hot sauce and make air fryer honey chicken.
- Add some hot pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the seasoning to make it even hotter.
- This works great with chicken thighs or drumsticks too! Decrease the cooking time to about 15 minutes, but always check the internal temperature before serving.
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Nutrition Information
Nutrition facts are estimates.
I do not know the grade of recipe but i must say that i looks so tasty. I just wanted to ask that why did not you add some vinegar on it. According to the cooking I know, if a little vinegar was added, the taste would have been better.
I tried it. Just fabulous.
seriously AMAZING!
I made this for my mom and I tonight and we loved it! I added a little lime juice in the honey butter and we had it with coconut jasmine rice. Thank you for sharing.
I’m looking forward to making this. I can marinate it at home and because I have an air fryer in my office, I can air fry it for lunch. Yes, I also have a rice cooker (love my office) so I can also make fresh rice. Looking forward to making this. Thank you for sharing Anne!
Not as hot as I expected/wanted but still good & plenty of flavor. I chose to cube my chicken breasts and the temp/time still worked fine (stirred basket at halfway point). My only comments- I skipped the garlic powder because there was already chopped garlic. I would use less paprika next time. And I think the earlier comment of adding a touch of vinegar to the sauce for a pop of acid would be great. All in all, it was easy & a hit with the family so it’s a keeper!
Glad you enjoyed it and made the recipe your own! I love the idea of using cubed chicken.
This was super easy! A+ says my husband. I followed the recipe almost exactly. I did use chile infused oil as that is what I had, so I omitted the tablespoon of hot sauce. Other than that, I would not change one thing. It is very moist, crispy outside, and delicious. I plan on making this for company soon. Served with copycat cheddar bay biscuits with honey butter sauce and mashed potatoes. 5***** STARS!