Hot Honey Rub Recipe

Introduction

Hot Honey Rub is a fiery and sweet blend that transforms chicken wings, tenders, or grilled chicken into a flavorful delight. Combining smoky spices with honey and tangy apple cider vinegar creates a perfect balance of heat and sweetness that’s sure to impress your taste buds.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a small bowl, combine cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until evenly blended.
2. Step 2: Prepare your chicken choice, such as wings, tenders, or grilled pieces, if you plan to use it immediately.
3. Step 3: Generously coat the chicken with the dry spice mixture, making sure the rub covers all surfaces evenly.
4. Step 4: In another bowl, whisk together the honey and apple cider vinegar until fully combined.
5. Step 5: Cook the chicken by grilling, baking, or frying until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
6. Step 6: In the final few minutes of cooking, drizzle the honey mixture over the chicken to allow it to caramelize and stick.
7. Step 7: Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for a few minutes before serving to lock in the flavors.

Tips & Variations

• For a milder version, reduce the cayenne pepper to ½ tablespoon or substitute with smoked paprika only.
• Try adding a pinch of cinnamon to the dry rub for a subtle warmth and complexity.
• Use this rub on other proteins like pork chops or roasted vegetables for a spicy-sweet kick.
• To save time, prepare the dry rub in advance and store it in an airtight container for up to two weeks.

Storage

Store any leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave, brushing with a little extra honey sauce to maintain moisture and flavor. The dry rub mixture can be kept in a sealed jar at room temperature for up to two weeks.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this rub in advance?

Yes, the dry spice mix can be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks, making meal prep quick and easy.

Is this rub suitable for baking, grilling, and frying?

Absolutely. This Hot Honey Rub works well with all those cooking methods, just ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Hot Honey Rub Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 81 reviews

This Hot Honey Rub recipe blends a spicy, smoky, and sweet combination of spices with honey and apple cider vinegar to create a tantalizing glaze for chicken. Perfectly balanced with cayenne pepper heat, aromatic garlic and onion powders, and a touch of sweetness from brown sugar and honey, this rub elevates grilled, baked, or fried chicken wings, tenders, or other cuts to restaurant quality. The honey mixture caramelizes during cooking, creating a sticky, flavorful coating that is both spicy and sweet—a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

• Author: lea
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Wet Ingredients

• ½ cup honey
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, thoroughly mix the cayenne pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper until well blended to form the spice rub.
2. Prepare Chicken: Select your preferred chicken cut—wings, tenders, or grilled pieces—and prepare them for cooking. This step can be done immediately if you plan to cook right away.
3. Apply Rub: Generously coat the chicken evenly with the prepared spice mixture, ensuring every piece is well covered for maximum flavor.
4. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the honey and apple cider vinegar until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This will be used as a glaze.
5. Cook Chicken: Cook the spiced chicken by grilling, baking, or frying according to your preference until each piece reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring it is safely cooked through.
6. Drizzle the Sauce: In the last few minutes of cooking, drizzle the honey and apple cider vinegar mixture over the chicken. Allow it to caramelize and stick, creating a sticky, flavorful glaze.
7. Serve: Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for a few minutes to allow the flavors to set. Serve warm for a delicious sweet and spicy treat.

Notes

• You can adjust the cayenne pepper amount to control the heat level based on your preference.
• If not cooking immediately, store the dry rub and wet mixture separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
• For extra crispiness, bake or fry the chicken before applying the honey glaze in the last few minutes to avoid burning the sugars.
• This rub works well on other proteins like pork or vegetables for a spicy-sweet kick.
• Make sure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it is fully cooked.

Keywords: hot honey rub, spicy chicken rub, honey glaze chicken, grilled chicken recipe, spicy sweet chicken, Wingstop style chicken rub