A Deliciously Spicy and Savory Recipe
Hot Honey Feta Chicken is a flavorful and easy-to-make dish combining spicy, sweet, and savory elements. Tender chicken breasts are marinated in a zesty honey and red pepper mixture, then topped with a rich feta cheese blend and baked to perfection. This recipe offers a delightful balance of heat from red pepper flakes with the creamy tang of feta, making it a perfect weeknight dinner that’s both comforting and exciting.
- Author: Ruby
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes (plus 2 to 4 hours marinating time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Halal
Chicken and Marinade
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup honey
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Feta Topping
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (for mixing into feta)
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Garnish and Serving
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- 1 lemon, sliced (for serving)
- Prepare the Marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper until thoroughly blended.
- Adjust the Seasoning: Taste the marinade and add more red pepper flakes for extra heat or more honey for added sweetness as desired.
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large resealable plastic bag or shallow dish, pour the marinade over them, ensuring each piece is well coated. Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, preferably 2 to 4 hours to enhance flavor.
- Prepare the Feta Mixture: In a small bowl, mix the crumbled feta cheese with a teaspoon of olive oil, a pinch of salt, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine and set aside.
- Preheat Oven: Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to get ready for baking the chicken.
- Arrange Chicken for Baking: Remove the chicken breasts from the marinade, letting excess marinade drip off. Discard the marinade and place the chicken in a baking dish.
- Add the Feta Topping: Spoon the prepared feta mixture evenly over each chicken breast.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the feta is golden and bubbly. For extra color and a slightly crispy texture, broil the chicken for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for about 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve: Arrange the chicken on a serving platter with your choice of greens or roasted vegetables, garnish with chopped fresh parsley, and serve with lemon wedges for squeezing over the top.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken for longer than 30 minutes, ideally 2-4 hours, will enhance the flavor and tenderness.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes according to your desired spice level for a milder or hotter dish.
- To keep this recipe gluten-free, ensure all ingredients, especially vinegars and spices, have no gluten additives.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For a dairy-free version, omit feta and consider topping with a dairy-free cheese alternative or omit cheese altogether.
- Broiling the feta topping briefly at the end adds a nice bubbly crust but watch carefully to avoid burning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with topping
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: hot honey feta chicken, spicy chicken recipe, baked chicken recipe, feta cheese chicken, honey red pepper chicken, Mediterranean chicken dish, easy chicken dinner