Hot Honey Feta Chicken Recipe

Introduction

Hot Honey Feta Chicken is a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines tender, spiced chicken with a sweet and spicy honey sauce. Topped with creamy feta and fresh herbs, it’s a perfect balance of heat and tang, ideal for a weeknight dinner or casual gathering.

Ingredients

• 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ¼ cup honey
• 1–2 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
• 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, finely minced
• Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat the chicken dry and place it in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then evenly coat with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Let the chicken marinate for 10–15 minutes at room temperature or up to 1 hour in the refrigerator.
2. Step 2: To cook, heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs for 5–6 minutes per side or breasts for 4–5 minutes until cooked through. Alternatively, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C), place the chicken in a baking dish, drizzle with oil, and bake for 20–25 minutes.
3. Step 3: In a small saucepan, combine honey, chili flakes, butter or olive oil, minced garlic, and apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Simmer over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until bubbly and fragrant. Adjust the heat by adding more chili flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper, if desired.
4. Step 4: Pour the hot honey sauce over the cooked chicken. Sprinkle crumbled feta on top and let it sit for a few minutes to soften the cheese slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley or mint, lemon zest, and optional sesame seeds or extra chili flakes.
5. Step 5: Serve the dish alongside rice, couscous, roasted vegetables, or warm flatbread. Spoon any extra sauce over the sides for added flavor.

Tips & Variations

• Use chicken thighs for juicier meat, but breasts work well for a leaner option.
• Adjust chili flakes according to your preferred spice level, and add cayenne for a sharper kick.
• Swap feta for goat cheese or queso fresco for a different tangy twist.
• Serve with fresh greens or a cucumber salad to balance the heat and richness.

Storage

Store leftover chicken and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave to preserve the sauce’s texture and chicken’s tenderness. For best results, add fresh feta and herbs after reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the hot honey sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the hot honey sauce a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Warm it gently before serving to bring out the flavors.

What can I serve with Hot Honey Feta Chicken?

This dish pairs wonderfully with grains like rice or couscous, roasted or steamed vegetables, or warm flatbread to soak up the flavorful sauce.

Hot Honey Feta Chicken Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 150 reviews

A delicious and savory Hot Honey Feta Chicken recipe featuring tender, seasoned chicken thighs or breasts cooked to perfection and drizzled with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce, then topped with crumbled feta cheese for a creamy contrast. This dish offers a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and tanginess, ideal for a flavorful weeknight dinner served alongside rice, couscous, or roasted vegetables.

• Author: Mick
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Chicken:

• 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp cumin
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

For the Hot Honey Sauce:

• ¼ cup honey
• 1–2 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
• 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
• 1 garlic clove, finely minced
• Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper for extra heat

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and place it in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then evenly coat with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt, and black pepper. Let the chicken sit for 10 to 15 minutes at room temperature to absorb the flavors, or refrigerate for up to 1 hour for a more intense marinade.
2. Cook the Chicken: Stovetop method: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and sear for 5 to 6 minutes per side for thighs or 4 to 5 minutes per side for breasts until the chicken is cooked through and has a golden crust. Oven method: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Place the chicken in a baking dish, drizzle with a bit of olive oil, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until fully cooked.
3. Make the Hot Honey Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine honey, chili flakes, butter or olive oil, minced garlic, and apple cider vinegar or lemon juice. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes until bubbly and fragrant. Taste and adjust the spice level by adding more chili flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper as desired.
4. Assemble and Finish: Pour the hot honey sauce generously over the cooked chicken. Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese on top and allow it to rest for a few minutes so the feta slightly melts into the warm chicken. Garnish with fresh parsley or mint leaves, lemon zest, and optionally sesame seeds or extra chili flakes for visual appeal and added flavor.
5. Serve: Serve the Hot Honey Feta Chicken alongside rice, couscous, roasted vegetables, or warm flatbread. Spoon any extra hot honey sauce over the sides to enhance every bite with its sweet and spicy notes.

Notes

• You can use either chicken thighs or breasts depending on your preference; thighs offer more juiciness and flavor, while breasts are leaner.
• Marinating the chicken for longer (up to 1 hour) will deepen the flavor.
• Adjust the chili flakes and cayenne pepper to control the heat level to suit your taste.
• Butter adds a richer flavor to the sauce, but olive oil can be used as a dairy-free alternative.
• Garnishes like parsley, mint, lemon zest, sesame seeds, and extra chili flakes add freshness and texture but are optional.
• This recipe can be prepared using stovetop or oven methods depending on your equipment and preference.

Keywords: Hot Honey Chicken, Feta Chicken, Spicy Honey Chicken, Mediterranean Chicken, Sweet and Spicy Chicken, Chicken Thighs Recipe