Name: Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces; 4 ½ teaspoons kosher salt, divided; ¾ teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper, plus more to taste; 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour, divided; 3 teaspoons garlic powder, divided; 3 teaspoons granulated sugar, divided; ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, divided; 1 ½ teaspoons paprika, divided; 1 large egg; 1 cup buttermilk; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 2 quarts vegetable or peanut oil, for frying; ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter; ½ cup honey; ½ cup Sriracha hot sauce

Jump to Recipe· 4.6 from 53 reviews

If you’re craving something crispy, spicy, and absolutely addictive, you’ve got to try this Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe. I’m not gonna lie – when I first made these, my family went crazy, and I bet you’ll love them as much as we do. They have the perfect crunchy coating with a sweet and fiery kick that keeps you coming back for more. Stick with me here because I’ll show you how to nail that golden crust and whip up a hot honey sauce that’s way better than anything store-bought!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Balance of Sweet and Spicy: The hot honey sauce brings just the right amount of heat with a luscious honey sweetness that’ll keep your taste buds dancing.
Crispy, Juicy Nuggets Every Time: The double-dredging with seasoned flour and buttermilk ensures a crunchy exterior with juicy meat inside.
Made from Scratch with Simple Ingredients: No mystery additives here — just what you have in your pantry for a homemade feel-good snack.
Perfect for Parties and Game Days: These nuggets are guaranteed crowd-pleasers, perfect whether it’s a casual night or celebration.

The image shows many pieces of fried chicken evenly placed on a metal cooling rack. Each piece is golden brown with a rough, crispy texture made from a thick, crunchy coating. The chicken pieces vary in shape but all look crunchy and well-cooked, with highlights showing the uneven, flaky crust. The metal rack has a simple grid pattern, and it sits on a white marbled surface. The overall look is warm and inviting, with the golden crispy chicken standing out against the cool metallic rack and the white marbled background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets, spicy chicken nuggets, crispy chicken nuggets, homemade chicken nuggets, easy fried chicken bites

Ingredients You’ll Need

The secret to these nuggets’ amazing flavor is in the layers of seasoning both on the chicken and in the coating mix. Plus, the hot honey sauce pulls everything together with soft buttery, sweet, and spicy heat notes. Here’s what you’ll want to grab from the store or your pantry.

Flat lay of boneless, skinless chicken breast pieces cut into 1-inch chunks, a small mound of kosher salt crystals, a small pile of freshly cracked black peppercorns, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with all-purpose flour, a white bowl containing garlic powder, a white bowl with granulated sugar, a small white bowl holding bright red cayenne pepper powder, a white bowl with deep red paprika powder, one large whole egg with a clean shell, a white ceramic bowl filled with creamy white buttermilk, a white bowl of baking soda powder, a small white bowl of melted golden salted butter, a white bowl with clear golden honey, a white bowl of vivid orange-red Sriracha hot sauce, all arranged symmetrically with perfect proportions and no duplicates, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets, spicy chicken nuggets, crispy chicken nuggets, homemade chicken nuggets, easy fried chicken bites

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Fresh or thawed chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces work best; this ensures even cooking.
Kosher salt: For seasoning — kosher salt spreads evenly and enhances flavor without overpowering.
Freshly cracked black pepper: Adds a mild, fresh heat that complements the spices.
All-purpose flour: Acts as the base for the crunchy coating; don’t skip this step or your nuggets will be soggy.
Garlic powder: A subtle savory depth that blends perfectly with the hot honey.
Granulated sugar: Balanced sweetness that enhances the honey’s flavor.
Cayenne pepper: Adds a warm spicy kick that’s not too overwhelming.
Paprika: Gives a smoky undertone that amps up flavor.
Large egg: Helps bind the coating to the chicken.
Buttermilk: Tenderizes the chicken and gives the coating a tangy note, making it extra crunchy when fried.
Baking soda: Helps create a light, crisp crust.
Vegetable or peanut oil: For frying – peanut oil is great for its high smoke point, but vegetable oil works just as well.
Salted butter: Makes the hot honey sauce rich and luscious.
Honey: Adds natural sweetness that balances the heat.
Sriracha hot sauce: For that signature spicy heat and a bit of garlicky flavor.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on what you have or how you like it spiced. Don’t be afraid to make these your own — I adjust everything from the heat level to what dipping sauces I serve alongside.

Mild Version: When my kids want to join the fun, I reduce the cayenne and use less sriracha, swapping with a mild chili sauce instead — still plenty tasty!
Gluten-Free Twist: I’ve swapped the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend and it holds up well, just be sure to check the blend includes xanthan gum for crispiness.
Oven-Baked Option: For a lighter version, bake at 400°F on a wire rack to keep them crispy; it won’t be quite as crunchy as frying, but still fantastic.
Extra Crunchy: Adding panko breadcrumbs to the dry mix amps up the crunch factor for those who want a little extra texture.

How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Step 1: Season and Prep Your Chicken

Start by cutting your chicken breasts into roughly 1-inch pieces — bite-sized but not too tiny so they stay juicy. Season them all over with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. This step is key because it infuses the meat with flavor from the inside out. I like to sprinkle on the salt evenly and give the chicken a gentle toss to coat everything well.

Step 2: Make the Two-Stage Coating Mixes

The secret to that perfect crust is in the dual coating system. First, combine some of your flour with seasoning (garlic powder, sugar, cayenne, paprika, salt, and pepper) in one shallow bowl. Then, whisk the egg with buttermilk and mix in the rest of the flour, seasonings, and baking soda in a separate bowl. This buttermilk batter tenderizes the chicken and helps the flour mix stick perfectly.

Step 3: Dredge, Coat, and Fry

Heat your oil in a heavy pot to about 325°F — I always use a deep-fry thermometer because temp control is everything here. Dip each chicken piece first in the wet buttermilk mixture, letting excess drip off, then roll it through the seasoned flour mix. Press gently with your fingers to make sure the coating sticks tightly.

Fry the nuggets in small batches to keep the oil temperature steady. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes, turning halfway through, until they’re golden brown and an instant-read thermometer shows 165°F internally. Transfer the nuggets onto a cooling rack set over a rimmed pan to drain excess oil without losing crispness.

Step 4: Whip Up That Hot Honey Sauce

While your nuggets are frying, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add honey and sriracha and whisk until smooth and fully combined. This sauce is your golden ticket to crave-worthy chicken — it’s sweet, spicy, buttery, and unbelievably good. You can either drizzle it over the nuggets or serve it on the side as a dip. I personally love a generous pour right before serving for maximum flavor in every bite.

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Pro Tips for Making Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe

Keep Your Oil Temp Steady: I learned the hard way that frying in too hot or too cool oil ruins the nuggets’ crunch and texture. Use a thermometer and fry in small batches.
Don’t Skip the Cooling Rack: Placing fried nuggets on paper towels steams the bottom and makes them soggy — a rack lets air circulate for crispiness all around.
Press the Coating Firmly: When dredging, lightly press flour onto the wet chicken pieces so your crust holds together during frying.
Make Your Sauce Last Minute: Make the hot honey sauce fresh just before serving to keep it glossy and smooth; sauce made too early can separate or thicken too much.

How to Serve Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe

A white plate filled with about twenty small pieces of crispy fried chicken, each piece topped with a shiny, orange-red sauce evenly drizzled over them. Next to the chicken, on the same plate, is a white small bowl filled with smooth orange-red dipping sauce. The background shows a white marbled surface. The fried chicken has a crunchy texture with golden-brown color, and the sauce adds a glossy shine to each piece. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets, spicy chicken nuggets, crispy chicken nuggets, homemade chicken nuggets, easy fried chicken bites

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or cilantro on top for a splash of color and freshness. Thinly sliced green onions add a light bite and a little crunch too. If you want something a bit more decadent, a few shreds of sharp cheddar or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the sauced nuggets makes them feel festive.

Side Dishes

Pair these with classic comfort sides like crispy sweet potato fries or a crunchy slaw with tangy vinaigrette to balance out the richness. For a healthier touch, roasted veggies or a bright cucumber salad work beautifully. And don’t forget some crunchy pickles or pickled jalapeños on the side — they add that extra zing I crave.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I love arranging the nuggets on a large platter lined with parchment paper, then drizzling hot honey sauce over them and finishing with fresh herbs and a few lemon wedges. You could also serve the sauce in little mini bowls for dipping and add a side of sliced radishes or baby carrots for crunch. Turn it into a game day spread by pairing with an assortment of dipping sauces — ranch, blue cheese, or even a smoky BBQ sauce blend.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually let leftover nuggets cool completely on a rack before placing them in an airtight container. Stored this way, they keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days while maintaining a good amount of their crispness. You’ll want to add the sauce fresh, however, as it can get a bit sticky when reheated.

Freezing

I’ve had great luck freezing the cooked nuggets without sauce on a parchment-lined tray, then transferring to a zip-top bag once firm. This method prevents them from sticking together. When you want to enjoy them, just reheat in the oven directly from frozen for about 15 minutes at 350°F to bring back most of that crunch.

Reheating

Microwaving makes them soggy, so I recommend reheating in a hot oven or toaster oven. Place nuggets on a wire rack over a baking sheet and heat at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until warmed through and crispy. If reheating from frozen, add a few more minutes.

FAQs

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts in this Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs are juicier and more forgiving if you accidentally overcook them. Just cut them into similar 1-inch pieces and keep an eye on the cooking time since thighs can cook a bit faster. I tend to prefer breasts for the classic nugget texture but thighs work wonderfully too.
How spicy is the hot honey sauce, and can I adjust it?

The hot honey has a nice medium heat thanks to the sriracha balanced by the sweetness of honey and butter. If you prefer it less spicy, reduce the amount of sriracha or swap it for a milder sauce. Want it hotter? Add a pinch of cayenne or some chili flakes to the sauce when heating—the balance is easy to tweak to your taste.
Is it necessary to fry the nuggets, or can I bake them?

Frying gives you that golden, crispy exterior that’s hard to beat, but baking is a great alternative if you prefer less oil. Use a wire rack over a baking sheet, bake at 400°F, and flip halfway through to help with crispiness. They won’t be quite as crunchy as fried but still delicious, especially with the hot honey sauce.
Can I make the hot honey sauce ahead of time?

You can, but I recommend making it fresh to keep the perfect silky texture. If you do make it ahead, reheat gently while stirring before drizzling or serving as a dip to avoid separation or thickening.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Hot Honey Chicken Nuggets Recipe comes together — from the crispy coating to the sweet and spicy sauce coating each nugget like a flavor hug. It’s one of those recipes I’m always excited to whip up for casual dinners or game day because it’s both crowd-pleasing and easy to make. Trust me, once you try it, these nuggets will become a staple in your kitchen rotation. So go ahead and dive in — I promise your taste buds will thank you!