Hot Honey and ’Nduja Southern Fried Chicken is a bold mash-up of crispy Southern comfort and spicy Italian soul.
Juicy, buttermilk-brined chicken is fried until shatteringly crisp, then finished with a drizzle of hot honey infused with smoky, spreadable ’nduja.
Serve it with creamy polenta, buttery biscuits, or a simple lemon-dressed arugula salad for a dish that feels familiar yet thrillingly new.
Let’s see how this combo works.
Hot Honey and ’Nduja Southern Fried Chicken
Equipment
- Large mixing bowls for marinade and dredging
- Cast-Iron Skillet or Deep Heavy-Bottomed Pan Alternative: Deep fryer
- Kitchen Thermometer to monitor oil temperature
- Tongs for safe flipping and removing chicken
- Wire Rack with Baking Sheet
- Small saucepan for the hot honey ’nduja drizzle
Ingredients
Chicken & Marinade
- 2 lb (900 g) bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks
- 2 cups (480 ml) buttermilk
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
Breading
- 2 cups (260 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (65 g) fine cornmeal
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp chili flakes
Frying
- 4 cups (960 ml) vegetable or peanut oil
- ½ cup (170 g) honey
- 2 tbsp ’nduja sausage spreadable
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ½ tsp chili flakes optional, extra heat
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Submerge the chicken, cover, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.Prepare the Breading: In a separate bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper, oregano, and chili flakes.
- Dredge the Chicken: Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing to adhere. Rest breaded chicken on a rack for 10 minutes to help the coating set.Heat the Oil: Heat oil in a cast-iron skillet to 350°F (175°C). Maintain temperature throughout frying.
- Fry the Chicken: Fry chicken in batches, skin-side down first, for 10–12 minutes per side until deep golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Drain on a wire rack.Make the Hot Honey ’Nduja: In a small saucepan over low heat, warm honey and stir in ’nduja until melted and smooth. Add apple cider vinegar and chili flakes if using. Keep warm.
- Finish and Serve: Drizzle hot honey ’nduja generously over the fried chicken just before serving.
Video
Notes
| Nutrient | Amount (Per Serving) |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | ~350 g |
| Calories | 620 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 48 g |
| Protein | 34 g |
| Fat | 34 g |
| Saturated Fat | 8 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 7 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 15 g |
| Trans Fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 135 mg |
| Sodium | 980 mg |
| Potassium | 420 mg |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Vitamin A | 420 IU |
| Vitamin C | 2 mg |
| Calcium | 120 mg |
| Iron | 3.8 mg |
Alternative Ingredients & Smart Substitutions
This dish is highly adaptable, making it easy to adjust based on availability, dietary needs, or personal taste. When ’nduja is hard to find, you can still capture its signature spicy, smoky depth by combining a few accessible ingredients that work together seamlessly.
- Finely minced spicy Italian sausage for body and fat
- Smoked paprika to mimic cured smokiness
- Calabrian chili paste or chili oil for heat and authenticity
For a gentler flavor profile, regular Italian sausage paired with chili-garlic paste and a drizzle of olive oil offers warmth without overwhelming spice.
The hot honey component is equally flexible; alternative sweeteners change the character of the dish while preserving balance.
Maple syrup brings deeper caramel notes, while agave nectar offers a lighter, more neutral sweetness; both benefit from keeping the apple cider vinegar in place to cut through richness and prevent the sauce from becoming cloying.
Protein and coating choices can also be tailored to suit different needs and cooking styles.
Boneless chicken thighs or chicken tenders shorten cooking time and are ideal for weeknight preparation, while plant-based chicken alternatives make the dish approachable for vegetarian diners, provided oil temperature and frying time are carefully monitored.
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar
- 5 minutes resting time before use
For those avoiding gluten, swapping in a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend paired with fine cornmeal maintains the essential crisp texture.
Serving Ideas & Pairings
This Hot Honey and ’Nduja Fried Chicken is bold and richly flavored, so thoughtful pairings help round out the plate and elevate the overall experience.
Creamy, mellow sides work especially well to balance the spice and sweetness. Soft polenta, whipped potatoes, or mascarpone-enriched grits absorb the hot honey drizzle beautifully and provide a comforting contrast to the crisp chicken. A simple starch also allows the Italian-spiced heat to remain the star of the dish.
Fresh and acidic elements bring brightness and keep each bite from feeling heavy. Light accompaniments such as a lemon-dressed arugula salad, shaved fennel with olive oil and citrus, or quick-pickled vegetables cut through the richness and refresh the palate.
For a more casual or modern presentation, this chicken works exceptionally well in sandwiches or small plates.
Tuck it into a brioche bun with crunchy slaw, serve it atop waffles with a savory-sweet drizzle, or slice it for shareable platters alongside crusty bread and marinated olives.
However you present it, the key is balancing crunch, heat, sweetness, and freshness so the dish feels indulgent yet well-composed.
Summary
Hot honey and ’nduja fried chicken brings together comfort, heat, and crunch in a way that feels bold yet familiar. Crisp coating, juicy meat, and a sweet-spicy finish create a dish that feels indulgent without feeling heavy, especially when paired with fresh or creamy sides.
Italian-inspired heat lifts classic Southern technique into something memorable and satisfying.
Cooking at home invites creativity, so adjustments and personal touches are part of the fun. Spice levels, sweeteners, and sides can shift to match mood or occasion, while the core idea remains strong and crave-worthy.
Serve it for gatherings, casual dinners, or moments that call for something a little unexpected, and let the flavors speak for themselves.
Read more: Check out some more budget-friendly family meals that you can make pretty fast for any occasion!
I’m Leo McIntyre, and my love for cooking was born in my grandmother’s kitchen, where I discovered the magic of traditional Southern recipes. Inspired by her passion and the flavors of my childhood, I started SouthernParm to share these treasured family dishes and keep the rich culinary traditions of the South alive for everyone to enjoy.
