Description
Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets combine a perfect balance of spicy heat, sticky sweetness, and irresistible crunch. This easy recipe uses tender chicken breasts coated in a smoky, spicy flour mix, then fried to golden perfection and tossed in a luscious hot honey glaze. Ideal for quick weeknight snacks or entertaining guests, these nuggets are bursting with bold flavors and a satisfying crispy texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for variation)
- 1 tsp smoked turkey bacon powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup plant-based milk
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
- Vegetable oil or olive oil, for frying
Hot Honey Glaze
- 1/4 cup honey (natural)
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (natural)
- 1 tbsp vegetarian Worcestershire sauce (natural)
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized nugget pieces. Pat them dry thoroughly with paper towels to help the flour and coating adhere for a crispy finish.
- Season the Flour: In a shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour, smoked turkey bacon powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to create a flavorful coating blend.
- Dip and Coat: Dip each chicken piece into the plant-based milk, dredge in the seasoned flour mixture, dip again into the plant-based milk, then roll in panko breadcrumbs. Press gently so the coating sticks firmly for extra crunch.
- Fry to Golden Perfection: Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Carefully place the coated nuggets in hot oil and fry for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil while keeping the crunch.
- Make the Hot Honey Glaze: In a small saucepan, gently warm honey, hot sauce, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, and apple cider vinegar until combined into a sticky glaze.
- Coat Nuggets with Hot Honey: Toss the fried chicken nuggets in the warm hot honey glaze, ensuring each piece is generously coated. Serve immediately while warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Pat chicken dry well to ensure coatings stick better and fry crispy.
- Maintain oil temperature around 350°F for optimal crispness without sogginess.
- Double dipping in milk and flour creates thicker, crunchier crusts.
- Panko breadcrumbs give a flaky, crisp texture superior to traditional breadcrumbs.
- Toss nuggets in glaze while warm to keep the coating sticky and luscious.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6 nuggets
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: crispy chicken nuggets, hot honey chicken, spicy sweet chicken, fried chicken nuggets, easy chicken appetizer, gluten-free chicken nuggets
