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Artisan Hot Honey Infused Feta Chicken Recipe

Artisan Hot Honey Infused Feta Chicken Recipe

4.8 from 6 reviews

This Artisan Hot Honey Infused Feta Chicken recipe delivers a perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and creamy flavors. Tender chicken breasts or thighs are marinated in a vibrant mixture of hot honey, lemon, garlic, and smoked paprika, then seared to a golden finish. Topped with warm, honey-kissed feta cheese and finished under a broiler, this dish offers a deliciously glossy, spicy-sweet glaze that pairs beautifully with fresh lemon juice. It’s a quick, flavorful, and satisfying meal suitable for any day of the week.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

  • 4 small chicken breasts or 6 boneless chicken thighs (about 750 g total)
  • 3 tbsp hot honey (e.g., Mike’s Hot Honey)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 to 2 tbsp lemon juice (divided)
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely grated or minced
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika, plus a small pinch extra
  • 1 tsp dried oregano or thyme (fresh if available)
  • Good pinch of chili flakes (optional, for heat)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Feta Topping

  • 150 g feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1 tbsp hot honey
  • 1 tbsp butter (optional, for glossy finish)

Additional

  • Small splash of water (to loosen glaze if needed)

Instructions

  1. Mix the marinade: In a bowl, whisk together the hot honey, olive oil, lemon zest, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, grated garlic, smoked paprika, oregano, a pinch of chili flakes, and a generous pinch of salt and black pepper. The marinade should taste bold and slightly salty to season the chicken adequately.
  2. Coat the chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Toss the chicken pieces in the marinade to coat evenly. Let the chicken marinate at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes. For deeper flavor, refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours then bring back to room temperature before cooking.
  3. Preheat the skillet: Place a skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add a small amount of oil if the pan looks dry to prevent sticking.
  4. Sear the chicken: Add the chicken to the hot skillet and allow it to cook untouched for 4 to 5 minutes to develop color. Flip and cook for another 3 to 5 minutes until cooked through. If the glaze begins to overbrown, add a tablespoon of water and reduce the heat to prevent burning.
  5. Warm the feta topping: Use a small saucepan or a corner of the skillet to melt 1 tablespoon of butter with 1 tablespoon of hot honey. Stir in the crumbled feta just long enough to warm it and let the honey infuse the cheese. Avoid melting the feta completely smooth.
  6. Finish under the broiler: When the chicken is almost fully cooked, spoon the warm honeyed feta over the top of each piece. Place the skillet under a hot broiler for 1 to 2 minutes until the feta is bubbly and lightly toasted in spots. Watch carefully to avoid burning as the glaze can turn bitter.
  7. Rest and brighten: Remove the skillet from heat, squeeze the remaining lemon juice over the chicken, and let it rest for 5 minutes to retain the juices. This resting period is crucial before slicing to ensure moist and flavorful chicken.

Notes

  • Chicken thighs are preferred for juiciness but breasts work well too.
  • Use hot honey brands you trust or make your own by infusing honey with chili peppers.
  • Adjust the amount of chili flakes for your preferred spice level.
  • If the glaze thickens too much or starts to burn, add a splash of water to loosen it and reduce heat.
  • The broiling step must be closely monitored to prevent bitterness from overtoasting the glaze.
  • Allow chicken to rest after cooking for the best texture and juiciness.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken recipe, hot honey chicken, feta cheese, spicy chicken, quick dinner, Mediterranean chicken, honey glaze chicken