Hot Honey Ranch Chicken Thighs
Hot Honey Ranch Chicken Thighs are juicy air fryer chicken thighs with crispy edges and a sweet-spicy hot honey ranch drizzle that makes dinner feel like a party, even on a Tuesday.
❤️ You’ll Love This Recipe Because…
- Minimal prep + max flavor = weeknight win
- Air fryer magic = crispy outside, juicy inside
- That hot honey ranch drizzle? Worth licking the plate
- Crowd-pleasing with a touch of heat and a whole lot of comfort
- Pairs with almost anything—from biscuits to salad
Sweet, Spicy, Crispy, Creamy: This Chicken Does It All
Let’s talk about what happens when crispy, golden-brown chicken thighs meet a drizzle of spicy-sweet hot honey ranch.
It’s juicy.
It’s tangy.
It’s got just enough kick to keep things interesting—and it comes together in under 30 minutes thanks to the air fryer.
👏 Cue the applause.
Hot Honey Ranch Chicken Thighs are what you serve when you want to impress without the stress.
Whether it’s a quick dinner, casual game night, or backyard potluck, this dish brings the flavor and a little drama—in the best way.
🪄 Tips & Tricks
- Bone-in or boneless? Either works! Boneless is faster; bone-in adds flavor and juiciness.
- Pat the thighs dry before seasoning—this helps get that crispy skin or crust.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer. Give those thighs some breathing room for best results.
- Homemade hot honey: Mix honey with red pepper flakes + a splash of vinegar.
- Thin out ranch dressing slightly with milk or buttermilk if you want a more drizzle-able texture.
🍽️ What to Serve With This
Round it out with sides that soak up that ranchy heat or balance out the spice:
Tools & Equipment
- Air fryer (basket or tray-style)
- Mixing bowls
- Tongs
- Basting brush or spoon (for that drizzle life)
- Meat thermometer (optional, but helpful)
FAQ
Can I make these in the oven instead of an air fryer?
Absolutely! Bake at 425°F for 45 minutes or until internal temp hits 165°F and skin is crisp.
Is this super spicy?
It has a nice kick but isn’t overwhelming. You can always dial up or down the hot honey.
Can I use store-bought hot honey?
Totally! Brands like Mike’s Hot Honey work great if you’re in a hurry or want to skip the DIY version.
Can I meal prep these?
Yep. Cook the thighs, store separately from the sauce, and reheat in the air fryer or oven for crispiness.
Do I need to marinate the chicken?
Not required, but you can if you’ve got the time. A quick ranch marinade before cooking amps up flavor even more. I marinated mine for 2 hours, and they were sensational. ((But the other times I’ve made them and didn’t marinate were spectacular, too!))
There you go, friend! These Hot Honey Ranch Chicken Thighs are easy enough for weeknight dinner but bold enough to serve at your next gathering.
Double the batch if you’re feeding a crowd—or just want leftovers that taste like you ordered out.
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Hot Honey Ranch Chicken Thighs
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: main dish
- Method: air fryer
- Cuisine: southern
Description
Hot Honey Ranch Chicken Thighs are juicy air fryer chicken thighs with crispy edges and a sweet-spicy hot honey ranch drizzle that makes dinner feel like a party—even on a Tuesday.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Thighs:
- 4–6 boneless or bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 TBS Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 TBS Soy Sauce
- ⅓ cup Hot Honey Ranch
For the Hot Honey Ranch Drizzle:
- ¾ cup Mayo
- ¾ cup Sour Cream (or greek yogurt)
- 1 TBS Olive Oil
- 1 TBS Lemon Juice
- ⅓ cup Milk
- 2 TBS Dried Chives
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 2 TBS Ranch Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1 tsp Black Pepper
- 3 TBS Mike’s Hot Honey
Instructions
- Make the Hot Honey Ranch:
In a large bowl, mix together ¾ cup Mayo, ¾ cup Sour Cream (or greek yogurt), 1 TBS Olive Oil, 1 TBS Lemon Juice, ⅓ cup Milk, 2 TBS Dried Chives, 1 tsp Garlic Powder, 2 TBS Ranch Powder, 1 tsp Salt, 1 tsp Black Pepper, 3 TBS Mike’s Hot Honey. Pour into a jar, and leave about a ⅓ cup in the bowl to make the chicken marinade.
*Put the extra Hot Honey Ranch in the fridge while your chicken thighs marinate and cook. During the cooking process, you’ll use another ¼ cup of the hot honey ranch to baste the chicken thighs.*
- Marinate the Chicken Thighs:
To your bowl with the remaining Hot Honey Ranch in it, add in 1 tbsp olive oil, 2 TBS Worcestershire Sauce, 2 TBS Soy Sauce, ⅓ cup Hot Honey Ranch. Add in your chicken thighs and mix them around to coat evenly. From here, you can go right into the air fryer, OR marinate for up tp 24 hours before air frying.
- Air Frying Chicken Thighs:
Preheat your air fryer to 400˚ for 3 minutes. Once the air fryer is preheated, spray with non-stick spray, and lay the chicken thighs in a single layer. Air fry at 400˚ for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, remove the air fryer basket, and baste with the Hot Honey Ranch. Flip the chicken thighs over, and baste with more Hot Honey Ranch. Air fry the other side of the chicken at 400˚ for 10 minutes.
- Serve with extra Hot Honey Ranch on the side and enjoy!
