Zesty Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad Recipe

Crispy, golden chicken drizzled with hot honey creates a mouthwatering dance of flavors that’ll make you pause mid-bite.

Sweet corn salad brings a fresh, zesty companion to this sizzling main dish.

Summery ingredients blend into a meal that feels like a backyard celebration.

Summer barbecues demand something special, and this recipe answers that call with bold enthusiasm.

Unexpected heat from the honey complements the tender, charred chicken perfectly.

Corn’s natural sweetness provides a cool contrast to the spicy-sweet glaze.

Each forkful promises a symphony of textures and temperatures that keeps you coming back for more.

Dive into this recipe and let your taste buds explore a delicious adventure.

Why Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Corn Salad Is a Summer Must

• Balances sweet and spicy elements that appeal to both kids and adults, making it a crowd-pleasing dish that satisfies diverse taste preferences.
• Easily adaptable for different protein choices like chicken breasts or thighs, and customizable heat levels by adjusting hot sauce and red pepper flakes.
• Combines fresh seasonal ingredients like sweet corn and cherry tomatoes, creating a light, colorful meal ideal for backyard gatherings and outdoor dinners.

Ingredients to Make Hot Honey Chicken and Corn Salad

• Chicken Breasts or Thighs: Tender, juicy main protein with flexible cut options for personal preference.

• Olive Oil: Helps spices adhere and promotes even coating.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds rich, smoky flavor depth.
• Garlic Powder: Provides aromatic and savory undertone.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and balances seasonings.
• Black Pepper: Offers subtle heat and traditional seasoning.

• Honey: Provides sweet, caramelizing element.
• Hot Sauce: Introduces spicy kick and tangy notes.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Optional ingredient for extra heat intensity.

• Sweet Corn: Fresh, sweet base for summer-style salad.
• Cherry Tomatoes: Adds bright color and juicy burst.
• Cucumber: Brings crisp, refreshing texture.
• Red Onion: Contributes sharp, zesty flavor.
• Cilantro or Parsley: Fresh herb for aromatic finishing touch.

• Lime Juice: Provides bright, acidic balance.
• Olive Oil: Helps blend and smooth salad ingredients.
• Salt and Pepper: Seasoning to enhance overall taste.

How to Grill Hot Honey Chicken and Toss a Fresh Corn Salad

Step 1: Season Chicken Masterfully

• Olive oil
• Smoked paprika
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Black pepper

Massage the spice blend thoroughly into chicken breasts or thighs, ensuring complete coverage. Let the flavors meld for 15 minutes at room temperature.

Step 2: Craft Fiery Honey Glaze

• Honey
• Hot sauce
• Red pepper flakes

Whisk ingredients together in a small bowl until perfectly blended. Set aside for later glazing magic.

Step 3: Fire Up the Grill

Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Place chicken on hot surface, cooking 5-7 minutes per side. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer.

Step 4: Glaze with Passion

During final 2 minutes of cooking, generously brush chicken with hot honey mixture. Watch for beautiful caramelization and sizzling edges.

Step 5: Create Vibrant Corn Salad

• Fresh corn kernels
• Cherry tomatoes
• Cucumber
• Red onion
• Cilantro
• Lime juice
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Chop vegetables into similar-sized pieces. Toss ingredients together in a large bowl, ensuring even distribution of flavors.

Step 6: Plate with Flair

Arrange grilled chicken alongside colorful corn salad. Drizzle extra hot honey over chicken for an explosive flavor finish.

Smart Tips for Sizzling Chicken and Crisp Corn Combo

• Manage Honey Glaze Carefully: Apply the hot honey mixture during the last few minutes of grilling to prevent burning and ensure a perfect caramelized coating without charring the chicken.
• Customize Spice Levels: Adjust the hot sauce and red pepper flakes to match your personal heat tolerance, creating a personalized flavor profile that suits your taste buds.
• Maximize Corn Salad Freshness: Use freshly grilled or roasted corn kernels for maximum flavor and texture, enhancing the overall brightness of the summer-inspired side dish.
• Choose Chicken Cuts Wisely: Opt for bone-in chicken thighs for extra juiciness or boneless chicken breasts for a leaner option, ensuring consistent cooking and flavor absorption.
• Prep Ahead for Convenience: Marinate the chicken and prepare the corn salad ingredients in advance, making mealtime quicker and reducing last-minute kitchen stress.

Best Way to Store and Reheat This Hot Honey Dish

• Store leftover chicken and corn salad in separate airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Warm chicken in microwave at 50% power for 1-2 minutes, checking temperature to prevent drying. Alternatively, reheat in oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Consume cold or at room temperature. Avoid reheating to maintain fresh texture and crisp vegetable crunch. Stir before serving to redistribute ingredients.
• Add fresh herbs or a drizzle of hot honey when serving leftovers to refresh flavors and enhance taste profile.

What Pairs Nicely with Hot Honey Chicken and Corn Salad

• Opt for an off-dry Riesling with bright acidity to complement the hot honey's sweetness and balance the chicken's spicy kick.
• Select a light wheat beer or pale ale that cuts through the richness of the grilled chicken while enhancing its smoky grilled notes.
• Mix a zesty margarita or paloma that echoes the lime in the corn salad and provides a refreshing counterpoint to the spicy-sweet chicken.
• Create a cucumber-mint mocktail that mirrors the fresh herbs in the corn salad and provides a cooling contrast to the hot honey's heat.

Ways to Switch Up This Chicken and Corn Classic

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace any potential gluten-containing ingredients with gluten-free alternatives. Use tamari instead of soy sauce and ensure hot sauce is gluten-free.
• Low-Carb Option: Swap corn with cauliflower or zucchini for the salad. Reduce honey in glaze and use a sugar-free hot sauce to minimize carbohydrates.
• Vegetarian Alternative: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or grilled portobello mushrooms. Marinate plant-based protein in same spice mixture and hot honey glaze for similar flavor profile.
• Spice-Adjusted Variation: Modify hot honey levels by using mild hot sauce for less heat or adding more red pepper flakes for extra spiciness. Adjust according to personal heat tolerance.

Grilled Hot Honey Chicken With Sweet Corn Salad Recipe

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4.9 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sizzling Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad delivers a mouthwatering southern-inspired feast that balances spicy-sweet flavors perfectly. Crisp corn and juicy chicken create a harmonious summer meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

Seasonings and Spices:

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for extra heat)

Liquids and Sauces:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• ⅓ cup (79 milliliters) honey
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) hot sauce (like Sriracha or your favorite)

Salad Ingredients:

• 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 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
• Juice of 1 lime
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Craft a zesty marinade by whisking olive oil with smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a mixing vessel.
2. Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with the aromatic spice blend, ensuring complete coverage.
3. Concoct a fiery-sweet glaze by blending honey, hot sauce, and optional red pepper flakes in a separate container.
4. Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high temperature, creating optimal searing conditions.
5. Position marinated chicken on heated surface, allowing robust caramelization and deep flavor development.
6. Cook chicken approximately 5-7 minutes per side, monitoring internal temperature carefully.
7. As chicken approaches perfect doneness, generously brush with prepared hot honey glaze.
8. While chicken grills, assemble vibrant corn salad by combining fresh corn kernels, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, minced red onion, and chopped herbs.
9. Elevate salad with bright citrus notes by drizzling lime juice and extra virgin olive oil.
10. Season corn mixture with complementary salt and pepper, gently tossing to distribute flavors.
11. Transfer perfectly grilled, glossy chicken to serving plates alongside colorful corn salad.
12. Optional: Enhance dish with additional hot honey drizzle for adventurous palates.

Notes

• Marinading Tip: Let chicken sit in the spice mixture for 30 minutes before grilling to enhance flavor penetration and tenderness.
• Heat Control: Use medium-high grill temperature to achieve perfect char marks without burning the honey glaze, which can quickly caramelize.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace hot sauce with gluten-free alternatives and verify all seasoning ingredients are certified gluten-free for sensitive diets.
• Vegetarian Swap: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or grilled portobello mushrooms, maintaining the same marinade and grilling technique for similar flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 460
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 41g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 90mg