Hot Honey Feta Chicken Thighs Recipe
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
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
- 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