Introduction

Hot Honey Feta Chicken Thighs are a delicious blend of spicy, sweet, and savory flavors that make for an irresistible dinner. Crispy skin chicken thighs are coated in a spicy honey sauce and topped with creamy feta cheese for a unique twist.

The image shows three pieces of cooked chicken thighs with crispy, golden brown skin on a white plate. The chicken pieces have a shiny glaze coating with herbs scattered on top, along with white crumbles of cheese adding texture. Around the chicken thighs, there are small bits of seasoning and a light sauce pooling at the base of the plate. In the background, there is part of a green salad visible, and slices of lemon placed near the chicken, enhancing the visual freshness. The whole setting rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 tbsp unsalted butter
½ cup honey
¼ cup hot sauce (adjust to taste)
4 garlic cloves (minced)
1 tsp chili flakes
1 tsp salt
5-6 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp olive oil (extra virgin)
7 oz feta cheese (crumbled)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).
Step 2: Make the Hot Honey Sauce. In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in honey, hot sauce, chili flakes, and salt. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, then set aside.
Step 3: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, mix salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Rub this seasoning mixture evenly all over the chicken thighs.
Step 4: Heat olive oil in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear without moving for 6–7 minutes until the skin is deeply golden and crispy. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes on the other side.
Step 5: Pour the hot honey sauce over the seared chicken, reserving some sauce for serving. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).
Step 6: Remove the skillet and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the chicken. Return to the oven for 2–3 minutes, just until the cheese softens slightly.
Step 7: Spoon the reserved extra sauce from the pan over the chicken when serving. Serve hot and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, pat the chicken skin very dry before seasoning and searing.
Adjust the amount of chili flakes or hot sauce to control the heat level to your liking.
Try using different feta varieties such as sheep’s milk feta for a richer flavor.
Serve with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad to balance the richness.

Storage

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through to retain crispiness as much as possible. The feta may soften further after reheating, which is normal.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of golden-brown cooked chicken thighs in a black pan. The chicken pieces are topped with small white crumbles of cheese and garnished with fresh green thyme sprigs. A spoon above the chicken is pouring a light golden honey-like sauce over the chicken, creating a shiny glaze. The texture of the chicken skin looks crispy and caramelized. The background features a soft focus with warm tones and a white marbled surface beneath the pan. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use boneless chicken thighs for this recipe?

Yes, boneless chicken thighs can be used, though bone-in chicken will typically stay juicier and more flavorful.

What is the best way to reheat the chicken without drying it out?

Reheat the chicken in a low oven (around 150°C/300°F) covered loosely with foil to keep it moist, or microwave with a damp paper towel over the top for short intervals.

Hot Honey Feta Chicken Thighs Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 138 reviews

Hot Honey Feta Chicken Thighs feature tender, juicy chicken thighs seared to a crispy golden skin and then oven-baked in a spicy honey butter sauce. Finished with creamy crumbled feta cheese, this dish balances sweet, spicy, and savory flavors for a delightful meal perfect for any occasion.

Author: Ruby
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: 5–6 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Hot Honey Sauce

4 tbsp unsalted butter
½ cup honey
¼ cup hot sauce (adjust to taste)
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp chili flakes
1 tsp salt

Chicken Seasoning

5–6 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika

Cooking

1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
7 oz feta cheese, crumbled

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) to prepare for baking the chicken thighs.
Make Hot Honey Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until aromatic. Stir in honey, hot sauce, chili flakes, and salt. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2–3 minutes to meld the flavors, then set aside.
Season Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispiness. In a small bowl, combine salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika. Rub this seasoning mixture evenly all over each chicken thigh.
Sear Chicken: Heat the olive oil in an oven-safe skillet (such as a cast iron) over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear them without moving for 6–7 minutes until the skin is deeply golden and crispy. Flip the thighs and cook for an additional 2 minutes on the other side.
Bake Chicken: Pour the prepared hot honey sauce evenly over the seared chicken, reserving a little sauce for serving. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).
Add Feta Cheese: Remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the chicken. Return to the oven for 2–3 minutes just until the cheese softens without melting completely.
Serve: Spoon any extra sauce from the pan over the chicken when serving. Serve the Hot Honey Feta Chicken Thighs hot for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

Adjust the amount of hot sauce and chili flakes to control the spiciness of the dish.
Using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs helps keep the meat juicy and flavorful.
A cast iron or oven-safe skillet is recommended for both searing and baking to ensure even cooking and easy transition from stove to oven.
Make sure to pat the chicken dry before seasoning for a crispy skin.
Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked but still juicy.
Feta cheese adds a tangy contrast and creamy texture; don’t skip this step for authentic flavor.

Keywords: hot honey chicken, feta chicken thighs, spicy honey chicken, baked chicken thighs, crispy chicken skin, spicy honey sauce