Description
Crispy Feta Chicken with Hot Honey Sauce combines tender chicken breasts coated with a crispy feta (plant-based) breadcrumb crust, topped with a sweet and spicy hot honey (natural) sauce and smoky smoked turkey bacon for an unforgettable flavor and texture experience. Perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests, this quick and versatile recipe is ready in under 45 minutes and offers a delightful balance of salty, sweet, smoky, and spicy flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 2 large chicken breasts
- ½ cup flour (or gluten-free flour)
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs)
- ½ cup crumbled feta (plant-based)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil for frying
Hot Honey Sauce
- ½ cup honey (natural)
- 1 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (natural)
- Pinch of salt
Additional Ingredients
- 4 slices smoked turkey bacon
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry. Season both sides with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to create a flavorful base under the coating.
- Set Up Breading Station: Arrange three shallow dishes: one with flour (or gluten-free flour), one with beaten eggs, and one with a mix of breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs) and crumbled feta (plant-based).
- Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken breast first in the flour, then dip into beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb-feta mixture. Press gently to ensure the coating adheres well for maximum crispiness.
- Cook the Smoked Turkey Bacon: In a skillet, cook the smoked turkey bacon slices until crisp. Remove from pan and set aside, keeping the rendered drippings in the skillet.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat olive oil in the skillet with the bacon drippings. Fry the breaded chicken breasts over medium heat until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Prepare the Hot Honey Sauce: In a small saucepan, combine honey (natural), chili flakes, apple cider vinegar (natural), and a pinch of salt. Warm gently over low heat while stirring until smooth and syrupy. Adjust spice level to preference.
- Assemble and Serve: Place the crispy chicken on serving plates, drizzle generously with hot honey sauce, and crumble the reserved smoked turkey bacon on top. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro if desired.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and better moisture retention.
- Press breadcrumbs firmly onto chicken to keep coating intact during frying.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; cook chicken in batches if needed to maintain oil temperature and crispiness.
- Let chicken rest a few minutes after frying to allow juices to redistribute for tender meat.
- Adjust the hot honey sauce seasoning last to achieve the perfect balance of sweetness and spice.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce and smoked turkey bacon
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: crispy chicken, hot honey sauce, plant-based feta, smoked turkey bacon, quick dinner, gluten free, spicy sweet chicken