Description
Spicy, sweet hot honey ranch dressing elevates ordinary salads and snacks with its bold flavor profile. Drizzled over crisp greens or used as a zesty dip, this recipe promises to deliver a mouthwatering experience that ignites your taste buds.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 chicken breasts
Honey and Spices:
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
Sauce and Dairy:
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 2 tbsp buttermilk
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Garnish:
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together honey, red pepper flakes, and cayenne pepper to create a spicy honey glaze.
- Season chicken breasts with salt and black pepper, ensuring even coverage.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Transfer seared chicken to the prepared baking sheet and brush generously with the spicy honey glaze.
- Roast chicken in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- While chicken is cooking, prepare the hot honey ranch sauce by combining ranch dressing and buttermilk in a separate bowl.
- Remove chicken from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Slice chicken breasts against the grain and drizzle with additional spicy honey glaze.
- Pour ranch sauce over the chicken or serve on the side for dipping.
- Garnish with freshly chopped chives for a pop of color and added flavor.
- Serve immediately while the chicken is hot and crispy.
Notes
- Spice Control: Adjust red pepper flakes and cayenne to customize heat levels, perfect for sensitive palates or spice enthusiasts.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free ranch dressing and verify all ingredients meet dietary restrictions for celiac-friendly meals.
- Marinating Hack: For deeper flavor, marinate chicken in spicy honey mixture for 30 minutes before cooking to enhance taste penetration.
- Versatile Protein Options: Swap chicken with tofu, turkey, or fish to create diverse meal variations that suit different dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: <1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg