Honey Butter Crispy Chicken is the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crunchy. Juicy chicken coated in a golden, ultra-crispy crust is finished with a glossy honey-butter glaze that melts into every bite. It’s comfort food with a crave-worthy twist—simple enough for weeknights, impressive enough for guests.
One bite and you get it all: crunch first, then tender chicken, followed by warm honey-butter richness. This is the kind of dish people ask for again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Extra-crispy coating that stays crunchy
- Juicy chicken inside
- Sweet-savory honey butter glaze
- Made with pantry ingredients
- Better than takeout
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1½ lbs chicken thighs or breasts, cut into pieces
- 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Oil for frying
For the Honey Butter Sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 3 tbsp butter
- ½ tsp salt
- Pinch of chili flakes (optional)
How to Make Honey Butter Crispy Chicken
1. Marinate
Soak chicken in buttermilk for 20–30 minutes (or up to overnight for extra tenderness).
2. Prepare the Coating
In a bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
3. Coat
Remove chicken from buttermilk and dredge in the flour mixture, pressing well to coat.
4. Fry
Heat oil to 350°F (175°C).
Fry chicken in batches for 4–6 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
5. Make the Honey Butter
In a small pan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in honey, salt, and chili flakes. Heat gently—do not boil.
6. Glaze
Drizzle or toss the hot crispy chicken with honey butter just before serving.
Tips for Maximum Crispiness
- Cornstarch is key for crunch
- Don’t overcrowd the fryer
- Glaze just before serving to keep it crispy
- Use a thermometer for perfect frying
Serving Ideas
- With mashed potatoes or fries
- Over waffles (chicken & waffles style)
- With coleslaw or pickles
- Drizzled extra honey butter on top
Storage & Reheating
- Store leftovers in the fridge up to 3 days
- Reheat in oven or air fryer to restore crispiness
Final Thought
This Honey Butter Crispy Chicken is sweet, crunchy, juicy, and unforgettable. It’s the kind of recipe that becomes a family favorite after the first bite—and disappears fast every time.