Hot Honey Chicken Sliders
If you love a little sweet, a little heat, and a whole lot of crispy, juicy chicken, then these Hot Honey Chicken Sliders are about to become your obsession. Imagine biting into a golden, perfectly fried chicken slider, drizzled with sticky, spicy-sweet honey, topped with tangy pickles, and nestled in a soft brioche or Hawaiian bun. Every bite is a party in your mouth—crispy, crunchy, spicy, sweet, and downright addictive.
These sliders are perfect for game day, a fun weeknight dinner, or even a casual gathering with friends. They’re playful, indulgent, and surprisingly easy to make at home, so you don’t need to wait in line at a restaurant to get that signature flavor. Trust me, once you make these, your kitchen is going to smell heavenly, and everyone will be hovering around the counter asking, “Can I have one now?”
Recipe Origin:
This recipe draws inspiration from the irresistible combination of sweet honey and spicy heat, a trend that’s taken over kitchens and menus alike. By pairing this classic flavor with crispy fried chicken and slider buns, you get a handheld meal that’s both fun and ultra-satisfying. The addition of tangy pickles and optional garlic-parsley butter takes these sliders over the top, creating a gourmet feel without any stress.
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need:
- Deep frying pan or Dutch oven
- Slotted spoon or tongs
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Saucepan
- Small bowl for cornstarch slurry
- Brush for optional garlic butter
- Knife and cutting board
Hot Honey Chicken Sliders
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Diet: Halal
Description
Hot Honey Chicken Sliders are juicy fried chicken pieces coated in a spicy-sweet hot honey sauce, served on soft brioche or Hawaiian slider buns with pickles and optional garlic parsley butter. Perfect for game day, parties, or a fun dinner.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs chicken breasts, cut into 4″ pieces (chicken tenderloins also work)
- 12 brioche or Hawaiian slider buns
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- Sweet heat pickles, about 2 per slider
- Ranch dressing, for serving
- Oil for frying (enough to come up 4” on the pan)
- Wet Batter:
- 1 egg
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
- 1/3 cup dill pickle juice
- 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3/4 cup flour
- Dry Flour Mixture:
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1.5 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Hot Honey:
- 2/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup water + 2 teaspoons cornstarch (mixed as a slurry)
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce (Louisiana or Texas Pete’s)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Garlic Parsley Butter Topping (optional):
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
Instructions
- Prepare the wet batter by whisking together egg, buttermilk, hot sauce, dill pickle juice, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and 3/4 cup flour in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, mix the dry flour mixture: 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.
- Dip chicken pieces into the wet batter, then dredge in the dry flour mixture to coat completely.
- Heat oil in a deep pan or skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken pieces in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes per batch. Drain on paper towels.
- For the hot honey sauce, combine honey, ketchup, cornstarch slurry, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until thickened, stirring frequently.
- Toss fried chicken in the hot honey sauce until evenly coated.
- Optionally, melt butter with garlic and parsley to brush on slider buns.
- Assemble sliders by placing hot honey chicken on buns, adding sweet heat pickles, and drizzling with ranch if desired. Top with the other half of the bun and serve immediately.
Notes
- Chicken can be marinated in buttermilk and hot sauce for 30 minutes to enhance flavor and tenderness.
- Adjust the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes for desired spiciness.
- Ensure oil is hot enough before frying to prevent greasy chicken.
- Use fresh parsley in the butter topping for a bright, fresh flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course / Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Why You’ll Love Hot Honey Chicken Sliders
These sliders aren’t just dinner—they’re a full-on experience. Here’s why they’ll quickly become a favorite:
Versatile: Great for casual dinners, parties, or sharing with friends while binge-watching your favorite show.
Flavor Explosion: Crispy, juicy chicken, sweet-hot honey, tangy pickles, and soft buns—every bite hits multiple flavor notes.
Crowd-Pleasing: Everyone from kids to adults will fight over these sliders. Sweet, spicy, and crispy—it’s a guaranteed win.
Customizable: Adjust the heat to your preference, swap buns, or experiment with sauces. Add ranch, blue cheese, or extra pickles for fun variations.
Impressive Yet Easy: Looks fancy and tastes incredible, but the steps are manageable even for home cooks.
Chef’s Pro Tips for Perfect Results:
- Use chicken breasts or tenderloins cut into uniform pieces for even cooking.
- Make sure oil comes up at least 4 inches in your pan for perfect frying.
- Keep cornstarch slurry ready to thicken the hot honey glaze for a sticky, coating perfection.
- Toast the slider buns lightly before assembling to prevent sogginess.
- Optional garlic parsley butter brushed on buns adds an irresistible extra flavor layer.
Ingredients in Hot Honey Chicken Sliders
Here’s the magic behind these sliders:
Chicken Breasts or Tenderloins: Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside—the star of the show.
Brioche or Hawaiian Slider Buns: Soft, slightly sweet buns that hold the filling beautifully.
Sweet Heat Pickles: The tangy crunch perfectly balances the sweet and spicy notes of the chicken.
Ranch Dressing: Creamy, cooling, and perfect for dipping or drizzling.
Wet Batter: Combines egg, buttermilk, hot sauce, dill pickle juice, flour, and seasonings to give the chicken a tender, flavorful coating.
Dry Flour Mixture: Adds crunch and extra seasoning when dredging the chicken for frying.
Hot Honey: Honey, hot sauce, ketchup, cornstarch slurry, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes come together for the signature sweet-spicy glaze.
Garlic Parsley Butter Topping (Optional): Melted butter, minced garlic, and fresh parsley brushed on the buns for an extra layer of flavor and aroma.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s make these irresistible sliders:
Prep Your Buns: Slice the brioche or Hawaiian buns and, if desired, lightly toast them for extra texture and flavor.
Prepare Wet Batter: In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg, buttermilk, hot sauce, dill pickle juice, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and flour. This creates a tender, flavorful coating for your chicken.
Mix Dry Flour Mixture: In another bowl, combine flour, salt, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper.
Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken piece first in the wet batter, then dredge in the dry flour mixture to ensure a crispy exterior.
Fry the Chicken: Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through, about 4–6 minutes per piece. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Prepare Hot Honey: In a saucepan, combine honey, ketchup, and cornstarch-water slurry. Add hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Cook over medium heat until thickened and glossy.
Glaze the Chicken: Toss fried chicken pieces in the hot honey mixture until fully coated.
Optional Garlic Parsley Butter: Melt butter in a small pan, add minced garlic and parsley. Brush on the cut sides of buns for extra flavor.
Assemble Sliders: Place glazed chicken on bottom bun, top with sweet heat pickles, drizzle with ranch if desired, and crown with top bun.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately while the chicken is warm, crispy, and coated in that irresistible hot honey glaze.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12 sliders
Calories per serving: 330
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
How to Serve Hot Honey Chicken Sliders
Side Options: Serve with fries, sweet potato wedges, or a crisp coleslaw for a complete meal.
Dipping Sauces: Ranch, blue cheese, or extra hot honey make excellent accompaniments.
Party-Ready: Perfect for gatherings—assemble on a platter for a fun, handheld meal that guests will love.
As a Standalone Meal: These sliders are filling enough to enjoy on their own with a simple side of pickles or salad.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Chicken can be coated and prepped in advance, but fry and glaze just before serving for maximum crispiness. Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven to preserve crunch.
Variations to Try
- Extra Spicy: Increase hot sauce or red pepper flakes in the hot honey.
- Cheesy Sliders: Add a slice of cheddar or pepper jack cheese on the chicken before topping with pickles.
- Vegetable Boost: Add lettuce or thinly sliced red onion for freshness.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour for coating and gluten-free buns.
Additional Tips
- Prep Ahead: Mix wet and dry batters in advance to save time.
- Even Cooking: Cut chicken pieces similarly in size for uniform frying.
- Double Batch: Perfect for parties or meal prep; chicken can be kept warm in a low oven while frying the rest.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
A1: Yes! Boneless, skinless thighs are juicier and work beautifully.
Q2: Can I bake instead of fry?
A2: Yes! Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway, but frying gives the crispiest texture.
Q3: How do I store leftover sliders?
A3: Store chicken in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep buns separate to prevent sogginess.
Q4: Can I make this milder?
A4: Reduce the hot sauce and red pepper flakes in the honey glaze.
Q5: Can I freeze the chicken?
A5: Yes! Freeze after frying but before glazing. Thaw and glaze before serving.
Q6: Can I prepare hot honey in advance?
A6: Absolutely! Make it a day ahead and reheat gently before tossing with chicken.
Q7: Can I make sliders vegetarian?
A7: Substitute fried cauliflower or a plant-based chicken alternative.
Q8: Can I use store-bought hot honey?
A8: Yes! Adjust the level of heat and sweetness to taste.
Q9: Can I add cheese?
A9: Yes! Pepper jack or cheddar slices add a melty layer of richness.
Q10: Are Hawaiian buns necessary?
A10: No, brioche or other soft slider buns work perfectly as well.
Conclusion
These Hot Honey Chicken Sliders are the ultimate combination of sweet, spicy, and crispy indulgence. Perfect for game day, family dinners, or casual gatherings, they’re easy to make, fun to eat, and absolutely addictive. Between the golden fried chicken, sticky-sweet hot honey glaze, tangy pickles, and optional garlic-parsley butter, every bite is a flavor explosion.
So fire up your skillet, prep the chicken, and get ready for sliders that will have everyone reaching for seconds—and maybe thirds. Sweet, spicy, crispy, and utterly irresistible, these sliders are pure comfort food happiness in a bun.
See how to make these spicy-sweet sliders:
