Hot honey chicken with smashed potatoes
Hot honey chicken with smashed potatoes is a crispy, sweet and spicy dinner. Panko-crusted chicken thighs bake alongside flattened potatoes with crunchy edges. Garlic butter coats the potatoes and warm chili honey tops the chicken. It takes about 40 minutes.
- 40 minTotal time
- 2Servings
- 760kcal / serving
- 44 gProtein
The science: why this works
Why potatoes are boiled before smashing
Boiling cooks the potato through until it is soft. Smashing then breaks the surface into rough edges with more area, and the hot oven dries and crisps those edges. Cutting pieces to the same size means they all reach that soft stage together.
Learn: Waxy and floury potatoes →Why panko makes a crisp crust
Panko crumbs are large and airy, so they dry out and brown quickly in a hot oven. The egg acts as glue and the oiled tray helps the underside crisp. Put the tray in only once the oven has fully reached temperature.
Learn: Preheat pans and ovens fully →Why the honey is warmed with chili
Warming honey with chili flakes lets the heat compounds dissolve into the sweet syrup. Capsaicin is fat soluble, so the butter pan helps. The sweetness softens the burn. Sugar does not remove the heat, but it makes the burn feel milder and rounder.
Learn: Cooling a too-hot dish →Hot honey chicken with smashed potatoes
40 minutes · 2 servings · American · Main course
Ingredients
Makes 2 servings
- 350 gboneless chicken thigh
- 1egg
- 50 gpanko
- 500 gsmall potatoes
- 3 clovesgarlic, grated
- 20 gbutter
- 3 tbsphoney
- 1 tspchili flakes
- 3 tbspolive oil
- Salt
- Black pepper
Method
Tips for the best result
- Wash your hands and tools after handling the raw chicken and egg.
- Press the potatoes flat evenly so they brown at the same speed.
- Check the thickest piece of chicken reads 165°F (74°C) with no pink.
Swaps
- Swap the chili flakes for a dash of hot sauce in the honey.
- Swap the panko for crushed cornflakes for extra crunch.
- Swap the chicken thighs for breasts, pounded to an even thickness.
Storing and reheating
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 200°C (400°F) oven until steaming hot, to 165°F (74°C), to bring back the crunch.
Hot honey chicken with smashed potatoes: questions
What is hot honey?
Hot honey is honey infused with chili for a sweet and spicy kick. Here it is made by warming honey with chili flakes.
How do you get smashed potatoes crispy?
Boil until tender, dry well, smash flat, and roast with oil at high heat. The rough edges brown and crisp.
Can I use an air fryer?
Yes, an air fryer can crisp both chicken and potatoes. Cook in batches and check the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
