Description
This Grilled Hot Honey Chicken recipe combines sweet honey and spicy hot sauce to create a flavorful marinade and glaze for juicy, tender chicken thighs. Perfectly grilled over medium-high heat, this dish offers a balance of smoky, sweet, and spicy flavors ideal for a quick and delicious weeknight meal or weekend barbecue.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade and Glaze Ingredients
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Main Ingredient
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- Olive oil (for grilling)
Instructions
- Prepare the sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together the honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, Kosher salt, onion powder, smoked paprika (if using), and pepper until well combined to create the marinade and glaze.
- Reserve glaze: Set aside half of the prepared sauce in a small bowl to use later for glazing the chicken during grilling.
- Marinate chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, then add them to the remaining marinade. Coat thoroughly and let them marinate for 15 to 30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
- Preheat grill: Heat your grill to medium-high, between 375°F and 450°F, and lightly oil the grates to prevent sticking.
- Grill chicken: Place the marinated chicken thighs on the grill and cook for 4 to 7 minutes per side until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F, ensuring they are cooked through. During the last few minutes, brush the reserved sauce onto the chicken to create a glossy, flavorful glaze.
- Rest and serve: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest briefly to allow juices to redistribute before serving hot.
Notes
- For best results, do not marinate the chicken for more than 30 minutes as the acidity can start to break down the meat texture.
- You can adjust the amount of hot sauce to make the dish milder or spicier according to your taste preference.
- If you don’t have a grill, you can use a grill pan or broiler to cook the chicken, turning carefully for even cooking.
- The smoked paprika is optional but adds a nice smoky depth to the marinade.
- Make sure to oil the grill grates before cooking to prevent sticking and achieve beautiful grill marks.
- Letting the chicken rest after grilling helps keep it juicy and tender.
