Pic Credit: dontgobaconmyheart
Honey Butter Chicken can be described as an amazing comfort food that is fluffy fried chicken which is drizzled on top of a honey butter sauce. Fried chicken is popular in Southern cuisine where this recipe is a tribute to so beloved type of food. Due to the delicious crispy skin outside and the thick sweet gravy that surrounds the rice, it is perfect for everyone at any time.
It can be cooked as a family dinner, dinner with friends or as comfort food meals and is best recommend at Honey Butter Chicken. Because of the simplicity in preparation and the delicious taste of the meal, the recipe can be prepared often to form part of the regular meals to be served.
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
Ingredients
- 1 kg chicken thighs (boneless)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Oil for frying (as needed)
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
MEASURES & PRECAUTIONS
- Buttermilk Soaking: See that you marinate the chicken in buttermilk for not less than 2 hours or even more better if you can overnight. This stage is very important as it allows the meat to be soaked up with flavor and made tender at the same time. If you’re a busy person and can only spare a little time then ensure that you get at least half an hour.
- Oil Temperature: Make sure the oil is hot enough for frying by cooking with a thermometer and making sure that it’s 350°F (175°C). This temperature serves to brown the chicken in a perfect manner while at the same time keeping the interior part of the chicken juicy.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Frying several pieces at once, it is possible to bring the temperature of the oil to a level which will make the chicken greasy. It is advised to cook in small portions in a way that the pan is not over crowded in order to retain the high heat.
- Resting Time: Finally, you should drain hot chicken on the paper towels and let it to stand for about 10 minutes. This aids to soak excess oil and retain the chips crispy nature ‘This aids in counteracting excess oil and enhances the crispy nature of the chicken’.
- Storage: Any remaining cupcakes should be stored in a covered dish and placed in refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results store unused portion and reheat in an oven or air fryer to ensure the crust stays nice and crispy.
Honey Butter Chicken Recipe
INGREDIENTS NOTES
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Chicken Thighs: As for the thigh, it is better to use boneless; however, you may use breast meats if desired. Bone-in pieces can also be used though that will be more time-consuming when cooking.
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Buttermilk Substitute: If you aren’t going to make a habit of buying that small container of buttermilk then the following substitute will work: 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice let it sit for about 5 minutes.
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Spice Variations: You may add spices to your own preference; adding cayenne pepper will give your dish a hot feeling if you like spicy food.
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Honey Quality: Buy on Fresher honey will have a more natural sweet taste as compared to honey that has undergone through some process that may involve addition of chemicals.
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Butter Type: It is preferred that you use unsalted butter so that you can regulate the amount of salt to be added to the food. In case you have salted butter, then ensure you cut down on extra salt in other ingredients.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
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Marinate Chicken: Mix the buttermilk and the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt in a large bowl. Mix well until smooth. Also Include the chicken thighs into this concoction in order that they are properly submerged. Place in a plastic wrap and cover it with a fridge for at least 2 hours or you can leave it overnight for a much tender meat.
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Prepare Coating: To the second bowl add all-purpose flour along with more of the paprika garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and salt. You can use this seasoned flour to increase the taste of your chicken because it is made from experience.
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Heat Oil: Place oil in a frying pan so that the oil level comes up to your three-inch mark on the skillet or fryer. They do not only preheat over direct heat, but they also have a temperature adjuster that lets one heat over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). You might also use a thermometer to ensure that is really hot when you are fumbling with an oven.
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Coat Chicken: Take each piece of chicken, drain off buttermilk bath on both sides and let the excess liquid drop off. Coat every piece properly with the seasoned flour mixture by dredging each piece with it.
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Fry Chicken: To coat the chicken cook it gently in hot oil and avoid overcrowding the pan with the coated chicken. If needed fry in small portions Since the slices will take different amount of time to cook they should be fried in small portions to avoid them sticking together. Grill each piece for approximately 5-7minutes or until it is golden brown and the internal temperature of at least 165°F (75°C).
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Prepare Honey Butter Sauce: Add unsalted butter and, while frying mix it in a small saucepan on low fire. Mix in honey, and cook until melted and well incorporated but not simmering.
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Rest Fried Chicken: Once fried chicken has been fried to readiness it is recommended that you transfer it from the frying pan using tong and placing it on paper for about 10 minutes to drain on oily servicing.
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Serve with Sauce: Use honey butter sauce as a basting to smother fried chicken before proceeding to serve it or as a dressing on the side.
RECIPE TIPS & VARIATIONS
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Double-Dip Technique: To add that extra crispiness, you may double batter the chicken, through dipping the chicken in buttermilk then in flour, and frying again.
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Side Dishes Pairing: Accompany with some relishes like coles law or mashed potatoes to get a well balanced juicy experience from the food.
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Herb Infusion Options: It is also worth experimenting with the addition of other herbs such as thyme or rosemary to the honey butter sauce to incorporate some further flavours that goes well with the sweetness of the honey butter sauce.
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Healthier Baking Option: If you want to use a healthier way of preparing this dish, you can lessen the amount of oil used by baking the chicken; dip chicken in flour mixture and then pat with oil before baking in a preheated oven at 400 °F for about 25 minutes or until done.
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Creative Serving Ideas: For people who like more sweetness in their chicken, one could prepare more honey and some more butter and prepare honey butter dipping sauce for the chicken.
EQUIPMENT
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Deep skillet or fryer
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Mixing bowls
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Whisk
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Cooking thermometer
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Tongs
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Paper towels
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Small saucepan
Note
SERVING TIPS 💡
- To maintain crisp, in essence, eat immediately after drizzling with honey butter sauce; this way, every mouthful is both moistened, and tasty.
- Coupled with healthy partners such as steamed broccoli or roasted carrots to increase aesthetic value, and overall health value by cutting on the richness load.
- Requires to be accompanied by parsley or green onions, especially on presentation since it contributes to the color as well as the flavor.
- Serve more honey butter sauce separately for the purpose of people dipping as this will ensure that those who prefer their foods less sweet are accommodated.
- Try with warm biscuits or cornbread on the side; both of these are Southern throwback sides that accent Honey Butter Chicken well.
If you're looking for a quick and flavorful meal, check out this easy Chili Lime Chicken recipe.
