Updated on October 4th, 2025
There’s just something about sweet and spicy food that makes it hard to resist, and this honey pepper chicken strips recipe is proof of that. Each piece of chicken is coated in a light breading and tossed in a homemade honey pepper sauce that’s sticky, warm, and full of flavor. The sauce uses simple ingredients like honey, soy sauce, and a bit of cayenne to bring the perfect balance of sweet and heat. It’s a recipe that works for both family dinners and game day snacks because it’s easy to make and everyone loves it.
Why this recipe works
- Balanced taste: Combining honey with soy sauce and cayenne creates a blend of sweetness and mild spice that keeps the chicken interesting and flavorful.
- Homemade sauce: Making the sauce from scratch gives you control over the spice level and makes every bite taste fresh and well-seasoned.
- Crispy coating: Dipping the chicken strips in buttermilk before flour helps create a light crust that stays crunchy even after adding the sauce.
- Easy preparation: You can fry the chicken for the best texture or bake it if you want to keep things simple and less messy.
- Crowd-pleaser: These chicken strips work well for all kinds of occasions, whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or a weekend get-together.
Serving suggestions
- Dinner plate: Serve these honey pepper chicken strips with mashed potatoes or coleslaw for a filling meal that everyone will enjoy.
- Party snack: Arrange the strips on a large platter and set out dipping sauces like ranch or extra honey glaze for guests to try.
- Game day treat: Pair them with fries or onion rings and cold drinks for an easy snack that’s perfect for watching the game.
- Lunch idea: Pack a few strips with a simple salad or wrap them in tortillas for an easy midday meal that still feels homemade.
- Family favorite: Make a double batch so there’s plenty to share because these chicken strips tend to disappear fast once they hit the table.
Honey pepper chicken strips recipe
Honey pepper chicken strips recipe brings together sweet honey and a touch of spice for crispy, flavorful chicken everyone will love.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 Servings 1x
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Honey Pepper Sauce-
- 3/4 cup honey
- 1/3 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/4 cup pineapple juice
- juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Chicken Strips-
- 2lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into strips)
- 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- black pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- vegetable oil (for deep frying)
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 1012
- Sugar: 76 g
- Sodium: 1312.1 mg
- Fat: 19.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 147.1 g
- Protein: 64.2 g
- Cholesterol: 172.2 mg