There’s popcorn chicken, and then there’s Hot Honey Popcorn Chicken. Imagine bite-sized juicy chicken thighs with a crushed tortilla crust, sauced up with homemade hot honey. It’s got the right amount of heat and sweet, and a quick disclaimer – it’s super addicting!
I usually have an opened bag of tortilla chips that have already gone stale so this is a great way to use any forgotten bag of chips in your pantry. The coating starts with flour, seasoned with your favorite spices – I’ve listed mine on my blog – followed by whisked eggs and finally, crushed tortilla chips. I also added freshly grated parmesan cheese – so you know this is gonna be mad good.
Now the real star is the hot honey sauce – I used the same spices to season the flour so it’s got a little bit of heat and the perfect touch of sweetness to pair with the savory crispy chicken.
I’m team thighs all the way but this can work with breasts or even wings. You can also air-fry or bake in the oven!
Hot Honey Chicken Bites Ingredients
Chicken thighs: I like using chicken thighs because I think they yield a juicer result but you can also use chicken breasts or even wings!
Eggs: eggs are used to bing the tortilla chips to the chicken
Neutral oil: any neutral tasting oil with a high smoke point will work including avocado, corn, canola, vegetable, sunflower seed, grapeseed, and more. I usually use avocado oil.
Seasoned Flour Coating Ingredients
Flour
Smoked paprika
Onion powder
Garlic powder
Cayenne pepper
Salt
Ground black pepper
Tortilla Chip Crust Ingredients
Tortilla chips: substitute with cornflakes, panko breadcrumbs, or your choice of chips
Grated parmesan cheese
Hot Honey Dipping Sauce Ingredients
Unsalted butter melted
Smoked paprika
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Cayenne pepper
Salt
Honey
How to Prepare Hot Honey Chicken Bites
Step 1: Slice the chicken
Start by slicing the chicken thighs into 1 to 1 1/2 inch pieces.
Step 2: Prepare dredge
In a bowl, combine flour, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and ground black pepper.
Step 3: Prepare egg coating
In a separate bowl, whisk two eggs.
Step 4: Prepare fried chicken coating
In another separate bowl, mix finely crushed tortilla chips and grated parmesan cheese.
Step 5: Preheat frying oil
In a large pot, heat neutral oil over medium heat to 350F (175C).
Step 6: Coat chicken
Coat each piece of chicken in the seasoned flour, then dip it into the egg. Once coated, transfer to the crushed tortilla coating, making sure to press the coating onto the chicken to adhere better.
Step 7: Deep fry chicken
Carefully fry the chicken bites in the oil and fry for about 3 minutes. Make sure to work in batches to prevent overcrowding. Transfer to a wire rack to drain then repeat until all chicken has been fried.
Step 8: Double fry chicken
Increase the heat to 376F to 400F (190C to 205C) then double fry the chicken for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until golden brown. Be sure to work in batches to avoid overcrowding. Transfer to a wire rack to cool then repeat for the rest of the chicken.
Step 9: Prepare the hot honey dipping sauce
For the hot honey dipping sauce, combine melted unsalted butter, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt. Mix until well combined. Pour in the honey and give it one final mix. If the sauce thickens up, microwave it for 30 seconds to loosen it up.
Step 10: Plate and serve
Serve chicken with dipping sauce and enjoy!
Hot Honey Chicken Bites Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken thighs about 2 thighs
- 2 eggs beaten
- 2 cups neutral oil for frying
Seasoned Flour Coating
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp ground black pepper
Tortilla Chip Crust
- 3 cups finely crushed tortilla chips substitute with cornflakes or panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
Hot Honey Dipping Sauce
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup honey
Instructions
- Start by slicing the chicken thighs into 1 to 1 1/2 inch pieces.
- In a bowl, combine flour, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and ground black pepper.
- In a separate bowl, whisk two eggs.
- In another separate bowl, mix finely crushed tortilla chips and grated parmesan cheese.
- In a large pot, heat neutral oil over medium heat to 350F (175C).
- Coat each piece of chicken in the seasoned flour, then dip it into the egg. Once coated, transfer to the crushed tortilla coating, making sure to press the coating onto the chicken to adhere better.
- Carefully fry the chicken bites in the oil and fry for about 3 minutes. Make sure to work in batches to prevent overcrowding. Transfer to a wire rack to drain then repeat until all chicken has been fried.
- Increase the heat to 375F to 400F (190C to 205C) then double fry the chicken for 30 seconds to 1 minute or until golden brown. Be sure to work in batches to avoid overcrowding. Transfer to a wire rack to cool then repeat for the rest of the chicken.
- For the hot honey dipping sauce, combine melted unsalted butter, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt. Mix until well combined. Pour in the honey and give it one final mix. If the sauce thickens up, microwave it for 30 seconds to loosen it up.
- Serve chicken with dipping sauce and enjoy!