Whole30 Hot Honey Chicken

Transform your weeknight dinner routine with this irresistible Whole30 Hot Honey Chicken—an easy, wholesome take on a beloved classic. Juicy, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are coated in a bold spice blend of smoky paprika, garlic, and a touch of cayenne for heat, then roasted to perfection for irresistibly crispy skin. The star of the dish is the luscious hot honey sauce, crafted with date syrup, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of chili flakes to create the perfect balance of natural sweetness and fiery kick. Ready in just 50 minutes, this recipe is paleo-approved, gluten-free, and brimming with flavor. Serve it with roasted vegetables or a fresh salad for a satisfying, Whole30-compliant meal that’ll leave everyone craving seconds!

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 pieces chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 0.25 cup date syrup
• 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.

Step 3

Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. This will help achieve a crispy skin.

Step 4

Rub the spice blend evenly over the chicken thighs, ensuring each piece is well-coated.

Step 5

Place the chicken thighs, skin-side up, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly greased baking rack.

Step 6

Roast in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is crispy. The internal temperature should reach at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius).

Step 7

While the chicken is roasting, prepare the hot honey sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the date syrup, red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar, and water.

Step 8

Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside.

Step 9

Once the chicken is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes.

Step 10

Drizzle the hot honey sauce generously over the roasted chicken thighs.

Step 11

Serve immediately, garnished with additional red pepper flakes if desired for an extra kick.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(711.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1769.2

Total Fat 121.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 30.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 564mg	0%
Sodium 2860.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 36.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 3.2g	0%
Total Sugars 28.5g
Protein 134.4g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 106.5mg	0%
Iron 7.0mg	0%
Potassium 1815.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 61.6%

Protein: 30.3%

Carbs: 8.1%