Hot Honey Infused Feta Chicken Recipe
This Hot Honey Infused Feta Chicken recipe features juicy, seared chicken breasts coated with a spicy-sweet hot honey glaze, baked to perfection and topped with tangy crumbled feta and fresh thyme. The combination of smoky paprika, garlic powder, and the bold flavors of hot honey create an irresistible, savory dish perfect for an easy weeknight dinner or special occasion.
- Author: Sienna
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Searing and Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Chicken and Seasonings
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for rubbing and searing)
Hot Honey Glaze
Toppings
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- Prepare the chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps in achieving a good sear.
- Season the chicken: Rub olive oil evenly over the chicken breasts. Then sprinkle garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper on both sides, rubbing it in gently to ensure even seasoning.
- Preheat skillet: Place an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add a small amount of olive oil to coat the bottom. Allow the skillet to become hot but not smoking.
- Sear the chicken: Add the seasoned chicken breasts to the hot skillet and sear for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust.
- Drizzle hot honey: Lower the heat to medium and carefully drizzle the hot honey evenly over the chicken breasts in the skillet.
- Baste with honey: Use a spoon to baste the chicken with the bubbling hot honey glaze for 1 to 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to penetrate and caramelize slightly.
- Transfer to oven: Move the skillet to a preheated oven set at 375°F (190°C) to finish cooking the chicken gently and evenly.
- Bake the chicken: Bake the chicken for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring it is fully cooked but still juicy.
- Add toppings: Remove the skillet from the oven and immediately sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese and fresh thyme leaves over the hot chicken breasts.
- Rest before serving: Let the chicken rest in the skillet for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute and the flavors to meld, then serve warm.
Notes
- Use an instant-read thermometer to check for doneness; the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) internal temperature.
- If you don’t have hot honey, mix regular honey with a small amount of hot sauce or chili flakes as a substitute.
- Fresh thyme can be swapped with oregano or rosemary depending on your flavor preference.
- To make the recipe gluten-free or low-sodium, ensure your hot honey and seasonings fit these dietary needs.
- Letting the chicken rest is crucial for juicy, tender meat.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with toppings
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: hot honey chicken, feta chicken recipe, spicy honey chicken, baked chicken breasts, easy dinner recipe, quick chicken dinner