If you’re on the hunt for a flavor-packed, feel-good dish that checks all the boxes for sweet, spicy, savory, and buttery comfort, these Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits deserve a spot at the top of your recipe queue. Imagine tender, juicy fried chicken tucked inside flaky homemade biscuits, all crowned with drizzle after drizzle of fiery-sweet hot honey—each bite a perfectly balanced explosion of textures and tastes. Whether you’re feeding your family, treating brunch guests, or just craving golden-fried satisfaction, Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits are about to become your new obsession.

Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

You’ll be amazed by how a handful of simple, everyday ingredients come together to deliver cafe-worthy flavor in every bite! Don’t skip or swap out too many elements—each one contributes something magical to the taste, texture, and gorgeous color of these Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits.

Chicken Thighs or Breasts: Dark meat thighs stay juicier, but breasts work perfectly if you prefer white meat.
Buttermilk (for chicken): Marinating in buttermilk renders the chicken extra tender and adds a subtle tang.
All-Purpose Flour (for coating): The secret to that gloriously crispy crust.
Paprika: Infuses the coating with a warm, vibrant color and gentle smokiness.
Garlic Powder: Gives the chicken a tasty backbone of garlicky flavor.
Salt: Essential to seasoning both chicken and biscuits—don’t be shy!
Black Pepper: Adds a baseline kick; freshly cracked is best.
Vegetable Oil: Neutral and high smoke point, perfect for frying.
All-Purpose Flour (for biscuits): The base for fluffy, tender biscuits.
Baking Powder: Helps the biscuits puff up tall and light.
Baking Soda: A little extra lift and a golden finish.
Cold Unsalted Butter: Those pea-sized bits of cold butter mean flaky, melt-in-your-mouth biscuits.
Buttermilk (for biscuits): Adds richness and classic Southern flavor.
Store-bought Biscuits (optional): For ultra-busy mornings, swap in your favorite refrigerated or frozen biscuits.
Honey: Use decent quality—this is the star of the hot honey drizzle.
Red Pepper Flakes: Build up the spice to your taste for the perfect sweet heat.
Apple Cider Vinegar (optional): Just a dash brightens the hot honey with tang.
Pinch of Salt (hot honey): Balances and rounds out the flavors in the drizzle.

How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Start by trimming your boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts) into sandwich-sized pieces. Place them in a bowl or zip-top bag and cover completely with buttermilk. This simple marinating step is the secret to incredibly juicy, flavorful chicken, so let them soak for at least 30 minutes—or overnight, if you have the time for even better results.

Step 2: Coat the Chicken

In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Remove each piece of chicken from the buttermilk, allowing the excess to drip off, then dredge generously in your seasoned flour mixture. Press the coating into every nook and cranny; this is what creates that golden crunch after frying.

Step 3: Fry the Chicken

Heat about an inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches to avoid crowding, fry the chicken until beautifully golden and cooked through, roughly 4 to 5 minutes per side. Drain the finished pieces on a plate lined with paper towels to stay crispy and light.

Step 4: Make the Biscuits

While the chicken is resting, start on your biscuits. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to quickly work it into the flour until coarse crumbs form—those cold chunks of butter will steam pockets for flakiness.

Step 5: Add Buttermilk and Shape the Biscuits

Stir in the buttermilk just until combined; be careful not to overmix. Turn the dough onto a floured countertop, gently pat it into a 1-inch-thick rectangle, and cut biscuits using a round cutter. Resist the urge to twist the cutter—that seals the edges and prevents maximum rise!

Step 6: Bake the Biscuits

Arrange your cut biscuits close together on a baking sheet for super soft sides, or spaced apart for more crust. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the tops are golden and irresistible. Can’t wait? Store-bought biscuits will get the job done in a pinch, but homemade takes these Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits into unforgettable territory.

Step 7: Make the Hot Honey

In a small saucepan, warm the honey gently over low heat. Stir in those magical red pepper flakes (add a little or a lot, depending on your preferred kick), a splash of apple cider vinegar if desired, and a pinch of salt. Simmer the mixture for just a couple of minutes, then let it cool slightly—it’ll thicken as it stands into the perfect, sticky drizzle.

Step 8: Assemble the Biscuits

Slice each biscuit in half and nestle a piece of that crispy fried chicken inside. Generously drizzle with the prepared hot honey, then cap with the other half of your biscuit. Now comes the best part: take a bite—sweet, spicy, crunchy, and flaky, all in one.

How to Serve Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits

Garnishes

To give your Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits a gourmet flourish, finish them with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, extra red pepper flakes, or a few snipped fresh chives. If you really want to impress, add a couple of bread-and-butter pickle slices for a punchy, tangy contrast that’s irresistible.

Side Dishes

Balance out the warmth and richness with classic brunch sides: think creamy coleslaw, crispy home fries, or a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette. For a Southern-inspired feast, serve these Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits alongside sweet corn, sautéed greens, or fruit salad for a refreshing finish.

Creative Ways to Present

Take your Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits over the top by serving them mini-style for parties or game-day snacks—just cut smaller biscuits and chicken pieces. Or go full brunch mode by topping each biscuit with a fried or poached egg. Want to up the drama? Serve on a wooden board with a small pitcher of extra hot honey for generous drizzling at the table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you somehow wind up with leftovers (it’s a big “if”!), store assembled Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits wrapped tightly in foil or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. For best texture, keep chicken, biscuits, and hot honey separate until serving.

Freezing

Both the fried chicken and baked biscuits freeze beautifully. Cool them completely, then wrap each piece individually and store in freezer-safe bags or containers. Reheat straight from frozen, and assemble with fresh hot honey when you’re ready to enjoy.

Reheating

For biscuits, a quick warm-up in a 300°F oven restores that fresh-baked softness. The chicken is best reheated in a hot oven or air fryer to crisp the coating again—microwaving can make it soggy. Always add hot honey right before serving for maximum flavor and aroma.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs for Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits?

Absolutely. Both chicken thighs and chicken breasts work well—thighs stay juicier, but breasts can be sliced thinner for a lighter option, and both get deliciously crispy when fried.

How spicy is the hot honey drizzle?

The nice thing about making hot honey yourself is total control—you can start with a small amount of red pepper flakes and add more for extra kick. Adjust it to your crowd’s comfort level without losing that magical sweet-spicy glow.

Do I have to make homemade biscuits, or can I use store-bought?

If time is tight, refrigerated or frozen biscuits are a perfectly tasty shortcut—just bake them according to package directions and assemble the Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits as usual. Homemade biscuits, however, really elevate the experience.

Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?

Yes, for a lighter version, you can oven-bake or even air-fry the chicken. The result won’t be quite as crispy as skillet-fried, but with the hot honey topping, they’ll still be outstanding!

Is there a dairy-free way to make this recipe?

You can swap the buttermilk for non-dairy milk with a little lemon juice or vinegar stirred in, and use a plant-based butter in the biscuits. The final biscuits may be slightly less rich, but you’ll still love your dairy-free Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits.

Final Thoughts

Few things beat the pure comfort and excitement of sinking your teeth into Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits—craggy, golden chicken, fluffy-from-scratch biscuits, and a river of warm, spicy honey. Whether you’re celebrating, brunching, or just treating yourself, this recipe is the kind of feel-good magic everyone should try at least once. I can’t wait for you to make a batch and see just how special homemade Hot Honey Chicken Biscuits really are!