Grilling season is here, and we fire up the grill at least once a week until the weather cools. That means we’ll be testing new recipes and sharing the best ones. This Spicy Honey Chicken is a keeper.
It packs a pleasant heat—if you have young kids, serve ranch or a mild dipping sauce alongside their plates. The honey glaze tempers the spice for a balanced, grown-up dinner that’s crispy, caramelized, and full of flavor.
The chicken is marinated in a southwest-style chipotle paste and then basted with a honey-and-vinegar mixture while it grills, creating a glossy sweet-and-spicy crust.
The original recipe calls for thighs, which stay especially juicy, but well-cooked chicken breasts work beautifully too. We made these with breasts and loved the spicy-sweet, caramelized result—serve with simple sides like grilled veggies, rice, or a crisp salad.
Spicy Honey Chicken
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Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 Tbsp vegetable or canola oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp chili powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 Tbsp pureed chipotle in adobo (If you like, puree the whole can, freeze tablespoon portions in an ice cube tray, then store cubes in a bag for easy use.)
- ½ cup honey
- 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions
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In a gallon-size zip-top bag, combine the oil, garlic powder, chili powder, onion powder, coriander, salt, cumin, and chipotle puree. Massage the bag to blend the spices. Add the chicken, seal the bag, and coat each piece evenly with the marinade. Refrigerate for at least 20–30 minutes to absorb the flavors.
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Preheat the grill to medium. Grill each chicken breast 4–5 minutes per side, or until the thickest part reaches 165°F (74°C) and the juices run clear.
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Warm the honey briefly so it becomes pourable (about 15 seconds in the microwave), then stir in the apple cider vinegar. Reserve 2 tablespoons to drizzle over the finished chicken. During the last minute of grilling, baste the chicken on both sides with the honey mixture to create a sticky glaze. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
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