Description
This Hot Honey Infused Feta Chicken recipe combines juicy, tender chicken breasts with a sweet and spicy honey glaze, enriched by savory feta cheese and fresh thyme. A perfect balance of flavors that is simple to prepare and ideal for a flavorful weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 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 (plus extra for skillet)
Sauce and Toppings
- 3 tablespoons hot honey
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry: Use a paper towel to thoroughly dry the chicken breasts to ensure better browning during cooking.
- Season the chicken: Rub each chicken breast with olive oil, then evenly coat with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper for a flavorful crust.
- Preheat the skillet: Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat and add a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Sear the chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the hot skillet and cook for 3–4 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust.
- Drizzle hot honey: Reduce the heat to low and pour hot honey over the chicken breasts evenly.
- Baste and bubble honey: Use a spoon to baste the chicken with the honey, allowing it to bubble and caramelize for 1–2 minutes.
- Transfer to oven: Move the skillet to a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) to finish cooking the chicken thoroughly.
- Bake until cooked through: Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- Add toppings: Remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and fresh thyme leaves over the chicken for added flavor and garnish.
- Rest before serving: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute, ensuring a juicy bite when served.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh thyme with dried thyme if needed, using about 1 teaspoon.
- Adjust the amount of hot honey depending on how spicy or sweet you prefer your dish.
- Using an oven-safe skillet like cast iron ensures you can easily transfer from stovetop to oven.
- Letting the chicken rest after cooking is crucial for maintaining juiciness.
- Serve with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Searing and Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with toppings
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: hot honey chicken, feta chicken, spicy honey chicken, baked chicken breasts, easy chicken dinner
