Description
Grilled hot honey chicken with sweet corn salad blazes through summer dinner expectations with bold southwestern flavors. Crisp corn, spicy-sweet glaze, and charred chicken create a memorable regional feast you can savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
- ⅓ cup (79 ml) honey
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) hot sauce (like Sriracha or your favorite)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- 3 ears fresh corn, kernels removed (or 2 cups frozen, thawed)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup cucumber, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsps fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Marinade Preparation: Whisk olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a mixing bowl to create a zesty flavor base for the chicken.
- Chicken Coating: Thoroughly massage the aromatic spice blend into chicken pieces, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Hot Honey Glaze Creation: Blend honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes to craft a fiery-sweet finishing sauce.
- Grill Preparation: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat, establishing ideal searing conditions for perfect caramelization.
- Chicken Grilling: Place marinated chicken on heated surface, cooking for 5-7 minutes per side. Watch for golden-brown exterior and ensure internal temperature reaches safe cooking point.
- Glaze Application: During final moments of cooking, brush chicken generously with prepared hot honey glaze, creating a glossy, flavor-packed exterior.
- Corn Salad Assembly: Combine fresh corn kernels, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and fresh herbs in a mixing bowl. Dress with lime juice and extra virgin olive oil, then season with salt and pepper.
- Serving: Plate grilled chicken alongside vibrant corn salad, optionally adding an extra drizzle of hot honey for those craving intense flavor.
Notes
Marinate Thoroughly: Allow chicken to soak in spices for at least 30 minutes before grilling to enhance flavor penetration and tenderness.
Monitor Grill Temperature: Maintain medium-high heat around 375-400°F to prevent burning while ensuring crispy exterior and juicy interior.
Glaze with Caution: Apply hot honey mixture during final 2-3 minutes of cooking to prevent burning and achieve perfect caramelization.
Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap chicken with tofu or tempeh for vegetarian version, or use gluten-free hot sauce for sensitive diets.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg