Crispy Chicken Thighs with Hot Honey

Name: Crispy Chicken Thighs with Hot Honey
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs); 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 tbsp all-purpose seasoning; 1 tbsp hot honey, for drizzling

Crispy Chicken Thighs with Hot Honey is a simple weeknight dinner combining seasoned bone-in, skin-on thighs with a spicy-sweet hot honey finish. The high fat content of thighs ensures juicy, flavorful meat paired with a shatteringly crisp skin.

🌍American 🏷️Chicken thighs 🏷️Crispy chicken 🏷️Hot honey chicken 🏷️Chicken Dinner

🏷️

🏷️Weeknight meal

-0:00

jackiehartlaubonTikTok

Total

30 min

Servings

2

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$11–$18

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by jackiehartlaub

-0:00

jackiehartlaubonTikTok

Ingredients

4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs)
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp all-purpose seasoning
1 tbsp hot honey, for drizzlingoptional

4 Ingredients

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Instructions

1
Using a knife, score the chicken thighs on either side of the bone. This helps the chicken cook more evenly and allows the seasoning to penetrate.
2
Drizzle olive oil over the meat side of the chicken (not the skin side) and rub to coat.
3
Generously season the skin side of the chicken thighs.
4
Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the air fryer basket. Season the exposed meat side.
5
Cook at 375°F for 15-20 minutes.
6
Flip the chicken thighs so they are skin-side up. Season the skin again.
7
Return the basket to the air fryer and continue to cook at 375°F until the skin is golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 more minutes.
8
Remove the chicken from the air fryer, plate, and drizzle with hot honey before serving.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Pat chicken skin completely dry with paper towels before cooking—moisture is the enemy of crispiness.
Don't move the thighs once skin-side hits the hot pan; let them sit undisturbed for 5-7 minutes to develop golden, crispy skin.
Check for doneness at the thickest part near the bone with an instant-read thermometer; thighs reach optimal texture and juiciness at 175°F.
Apply hot honey as a finishing drizzle right before serving to preserve the crispy skin texture and deliver warm spice.

Substitutions

All-purpose seasoning → kosher salt, black pepper, and garlic powder (1 tsp total; adjust to taste)
Olive oil → any neutral high-heat oil like vegetable or canola oil
Hot honey → warm honey mixed with red pepper flakes or sriracha

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat skin-side up in a 375°F oven for 8-10 minutes to restore crispiness.

Common Questions

How do you get chicken thighs skin super crispy?

Pat the skin completely dry before cooking, season generously, and cook skin-side down in a hot pan with oil until the skin renders and browns—don't move them for the first 5-7 minutes.

Can you make this recipe ahead?

Yes. Season and refrigerate thighs uncovered for up to 24 hours before cooking (this dries the skin further for crispiness). Cook fresh just before serving, then drizzle with hot honey.

What's the internal temperature for perfectly cooked chicken thighs?

Chicken thighs are safe at 165°F but develop better flavor and texture at 175°F internal temperature; thighs stay juicy even at this higher heat.

Can you use boneless, skinless chicken thighs?

You can, but you'll lose the crispy skin texture. Boneless thighs cook faster (12-15 minutes) but won't have the same appeal as this recipe.

What's the difference between hot honey and regular honey?

Hot honey is honey infused or mixed with spicy peppers or hot sauce. You can buy it pre-made or drizzle warm honey over cooked thighs and top with red pepper flakes.