This Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad is a delightful summer meal, combining the smoky char of grilled chicken with a sweet and spicy glaze. The fresh, vibrant sweet corn salad provides a perfect balance with its creamy texture and bursts of sweetness.
Juicy grilled chicken is coated in a sticky and flavorful hot honey, served alongside a vibrant sweet corn salad.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Sweet, spicy, smoky, and fresh.
- Textures: Tender chicken, crunchy corn, creamy dressing.
- Total Time: About 45 minutes active time, plus 30 minutes optional marinating.
- Difficulty: Easy, perfect for beginner cooks.
What You’ll Need
This recipe brings together the deliciousness of grilled chicken and a refreshing sweet corn salad. You’ll need chicken and ingredients for the hot honey glaze, and ingredients for a creamy sweet corn salad.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work well. You can also use other cuts like chicken thighs.
- Hot Honey – This is the star of the show! It adds the perfect amount of sweetness and a kick of heat. You can buy hot honey or make your own.
- Sweet Corn – Fresh sweet corn is best, but frozen can be substituted.
- Red Onion – This adds a pop of color and a bit of sharpness to the salad.
- Cherry Tomatoes – These add sweetness and juiciness.
- Cilantro – Provides a fresh, herbal note.
- Lime Juice – Brightens the flavors in the salad dressing.
- Mayonnaise – This adds creaminess to the dressing for the sweet corn salad.
- Olive Oil – Adds richness to the dressing.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the hot honey for extra heat.
- Add veggies: Add some diced bell peppers or avocado to the sweet corn salad for a heartier meal.
- Dairy-free: Use vegan mayonnaise for a dairy-free sweet corn salad.
- Make it cheesy: If you like, you can sprinkle some crumbled feta or cotija cheese over the sweet corn salad.
How to Make Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad
First, gather all your ingredients! This recipe is straightforward, so let’s get started.
- Marinate (Optional): If you have time, place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or resealable bag. Cover the chicken with half of the hot honey and toss to coat ensuring chicken is fully covered. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to several hours.
- Make the Corn Salad: While the chicken marinates, prepare the sweet corn salad. In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lime juice, and olive oil. If using, also add a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper.
- Prep Veggies: Add the corn kernels, diced red onion, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped cilantro to the bowl. Toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed by adding more salt or pepper.
- Grill the Chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place it on the preheated grill.
- Grill to Perfection: Grill the chicken for about 5–7 minutes per side, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Pro Tip: Use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken is cooked to a safe temperature without overcooking.
- Glaze the Chicken: During the last few minutes of grilling, brush the chicken generously with the remaining hot honey. Flip the chicken and glaze the other side as well, allowing it to caramelize nicely on the grill.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the grill and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving.
- Assemble and Enjoy: Serve the grilled hot honey chicken with the sweet corn salad.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t skip the resting time! This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender chicken.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Adjust the amount of hot honey to your preference. If you like it extra spicy, add more before grilling.
- Prep the sweet corn salad ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Make sure to clean the grill grates well before grilling to prevent sticking.
FAQs
- Can I make this recipe without a grill? Yes, you can cook the chicken in a skillet on the stovetop. Cook over medium-high heat, then glaze with hot honey.
- How do I store leftovers? Store the chicken and sweet corn salad separately in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Can I use frozen corn? Yes, thaw the corn before adding it to the salad.
- How can I make this less spicy? Use a honey that is not hot honey and add a pinch of cayenne pepper if you would like your own level of spice.
Serving Suggestions
- Grains: Serve with fluffy cooked quinoa or rice for a more complete meal.
- Sides: Add some grilled pineapple.
- Salads: Serve alongside a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette.
- Sauces: Drizzle a little extra hot honey or a creamy sauce over the chicken.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Marinate Chicken: You can marinate the chicken for up to several hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
- Sweet Corn Salad: The sweet corn salad can be made up to a few hours ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Wait to add the dressing just before serving to prevent the salad from getting soggy.
Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad is a delightful summer meal, combining the smoky char of grilled chicken with a sweet and spicy glaze. The fresh, vibrant sweet corn salad provides a perfect balance with its creamy texture and bursts of sweetness.
Ingredients
hot honey chicken
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons hot honey, plus more for drizzling
1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest
1 garlic clove, minced
kosher salt and pepper
corn salad
6 ears of sweet corn, kernels cut from the cob
2 green onions, thinly sliced
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
¼ cup sour cream
2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tablespoon freshly grated lime zest
kosher salt and pepper
Instructions
Marinate the chicken in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, hot honey, lemon zest, garlic, salt, and pepper for at least 30 minutes, or longer.
Preheat the grill to high heat.
Grill the chicken for about 5 minutes per side, until cooked through. Let it rest.
Drizzle with more hot honey.
For the corn salad, combine corn kernels, green onions, and cilantro.
Whisk sour cream, lime juice, zest, salt, and pepper.
Mix the dressing into the corn salad.
Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Don’t skip the resting time! This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender chicken.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Adjust the amount of hot honey to your preference. If you like it extra spicy, add more before grilling.
Prep the sweet corn salad ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld together.
Make sure to clean the grill grates well before grilling to prevent sticking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Protein: 30g
