Hot Honey Feta Chicken is a bold and flavorful dish that combines juicy, tender chicken with creamy feta cheese and a spicy-sweet drizzle of hot honey. I love how the heat from the honey balances with the salty tang of feta and the savory, golden-browned chicken. It’s quick, satisfying, and packed with personality—perfect for weeknight dinners or when I’m craving something exciting but easy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s simple, unique, and seriously delicious. The hot honey gives the dish a spicy kick that’s mellowed out by the rich, creamy feta, and when it all melts together over juicy chicken, it’s hard to resist. Everything cooks in one pan, and it’s ready in under 30 minutes. I can serve it over rice, couscous, or even a crisp salad—there’s no wrong way to enjoy it.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
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Feta cheese, crumbled
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Olive oil
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Garlic, minced
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Paprika or smoked paprika
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Salt and black pepper
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Hot honey (store-bought or homemade with honey + chili flakes or hot sauce)
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Lemon juice (optional, for a fresh finish)
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Fresh parsley or thyme (optional, for garnish)
Directions
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I start by seasoning the chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic.
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I heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown and fully cooked—about 5–6 minutes per side, depending on thickness.
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Once the chicken is cooked, I lower the heat and crumble feta over the top of each piece, letting it warm and soften slightly in the pan.
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I drizzle hot honey generously over the chicken and feta, letting it melt into the pan and coat everything with a glossy, flavorful finish.
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I squeeze a bit of lemon juice over the top and garnish with herbs if I want an extra pop of freshness.
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I serve it hot, spooning some of the honey-feta mixture from the pan over each piece.
Servings and timing
This recipe makes about 4 servings and takes around 25–30 minutes total—10 minutes of prep and 15–20 minutes of cooking. It’s perfect for quick weeknight dinners or easy meal prep.
Variations
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I add a pinch of red pepper flakes or cayenne to the seasoning for extra heat.
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For a Mediterranean twist, I serve it over orzo or alongside roasted veggies.
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I use goat cheese instead of feta when I want a slightly milder, creamier option.
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I swap chicken for salmon or shrimp for a seafood version.
storage/reheating
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, I warm the chicken gently in a skillet or microwave until hot. I drizzle on a bit more honey if needed to bring back that sweet heat.
FAQs
What is hot honey made of?
Hot honey is simply honey infused with chili flakes, hot sauce, or fresh chili—sweet with a kick. I often make my own by gently heating honey with a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Can I bake this instead of using a skillet?
Yes, I season the chicken, bake it at 400°F for about 20–25 minutes, then add the feta and hot honey in the last few minutes.
What’s the best feta to use?
I like using block-style feta for better flavor and texture, but crumbled feta works just fine and melts beautifully into the chicken.
Is this dish very spicy?
It depends on the hot honey I use. I can adjust the heat by using more or less chili or choosing a milder version of hot honey.
What should I serve it with?
I love serving this with rice, couscous, roasted potatoes, or a simple green salad. The sauce is great for drizzling over everything.
Conclusion
Hot Honey Feta Chicken is a crave-worthy mix of spicy, sweet, and salty flavors that come together in a single skillet. I love how easy it is to make and how every bite brings big, bold taste with just a few ingredients. It’s one of those recipes that feels special but fits right into any busy weeknight.
PrintHot Honey Feta Chicken
Hot Honey Feta Chicken is a bold and flavorful skillet dish made with seared chicken, melty feta cheese, and a spicy-sweet drizzle of hot honey. It’s quick, satisfying, and packed with personality—perfect for weeknights or an exciting twist on classic chicken dinners.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Fusion
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup hot honey (store-bought or homemade with honey + red pepper flakes)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley or thyme (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and minced garlic.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 5–6 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Reduce heat to low. Sprinkle crumbled feta over each chicken piece and let it warm and soften for 1–2 minutes.
- Drizzle hot honey over the chicken and feta, letting it coat the chicken and melt into the skillet.
- Optional: Squeeze lemon juice over the top and garnish with fresh herbs.
- Serve hot, spooning extra honey-feta mixture from the pan over the chicken.
Notes
- Adjust heat level by using more or less chili in the hot honey.
- Make homemade hot honey by warming honey with red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
- Use goat cheese instead of feta for a creamier variation.
- Great served over rice, couscous, or a fresh salad.
- Bake instead of pan-sear by cooking at 400°F for 20–25 minutes, adding feta and honey at the end.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with sauce
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
