Description
This Crispy Hot Honey Feta Chicken features juicy, breaded chicken breasts coated in a flavorful mix of spices, pan-fried to a golden crisp, then baked topped with tangy crumbled feta and drizzled with a sweet and spicy hot honey glaze. Garnished with fresh parsley, this dish perfectly balances savory, spicy, and sweet flavors for a deliciously unique dinner option.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Breading
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6 oz each)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Cooking
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 6 oz feta cheese (crumbled)
- 2 tablespoons hot honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels to ensure the coating adheres properly. If needed, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of 3/4-inch for uniform cooking.
- Set Up Breading Stations: Arrange three shallow dishes: in the first, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper; place beaten eggs in the second; and panko breadcrumbs in the third.
- Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken breast in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Next, dip the chicken into the beaten eggs, letting the excess drip off before pressing firmly into the panko breadcrumbs, ensuring even coverage with no bare spots.
- Pan-Fry the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and approximately 350°F. Add the breaded chicken breasts and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side without moving them to develop a golden, crispy crust.
- Add Feta and Bake: Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese evenly over the fried chicken breasts. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the feta is slightly melted with golden edges. If the feta starts browning too fast, tent loosely with foil for the last 5 minutes to prevent burning.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and immediately drizzle the hot honey over the baked chicken. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley. Let the chicken rest for 2-3 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute before serving.
Notes
- Pounding the chicken breasts to an even thickness ensures even cooking and prevents drying out.
- Use an oven-safe skillet for seamless transition from stovetop to oven.
- Watch the feta cheese carefully during baking to avoid burning, use foil to tent if necessary.
- Hot honey can be substituted with regular honey mixed with a pinch of cayenne pepper if unavailable.
- This dish pairs well with a side of roasted vegetables or a fresh green salad.
