Get ready to elevate your fried chicken game with this irresistible Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken recipe. Every bite is a journey—a crispy, golden-brown exterior encasing tender, juicy chicken marinated in a tangy, flavor-packed lemon pepper buttermilk blend. The pièce de résistance? A drizzle of whipped lemon pepper hot honey that adds a sweet, zesty heat to every bite.

This recipe is designed to impress, whether you’re cooking for a cozy family dinner or hosting friends who crave bold, unforgettable flavors. Papi’s Lemon Pepper Deluxe Breading brings a vibrant kick, while the homemade hot honey perfectly balances sweet and spicy notes. It’s not just fried chicken—it’s an experience you’ll savor to the very last piece.

Let’s dive into the ultimate recipe that guarantees to turn any meal into an occasion worth celebrating!

Why You’re Going to Love This Recipe

This Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken is everything you want in a comfort food classic with a flavorful twist. Here’s why you’ll savor every bite:

• Bold, Zesty Flavor: Papi’s Lemon Pepper Deluxe Breading delivers a citrusy kick that takes ordinary fried chicken to extraordinary.
• Crispy Perfection: The combination of the marinade and breading creates a golden-brown crust with unbeatable crunch.
• Sweet Heat Finish: Whipped lemon pepper hot honey adds a luxurious balance of sweetness, spice, and zest.

• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings—this recipe always steals the spotlight.

Ingredients

For the Lemon Pepper Marinade:

• Chicken pieces (thighs, legs, breasts, and wings)
• Buttermilk
• Papi’s Lemon Pepper Deluxe Breading

For the Crispy Breading:

• Papi’s Lemon Pepper Deluxe Breading

For the Lemon Pepper Hot Honey:

• Honey
• Lemon zest
• Fresh cracked black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt

For Frying:

• Vegetable oil

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine chicken pieces, buttermilk, and Papi’s Lemon Pepper Deluxe Breading. Mix until the chicken is fully coated. Let it marinate for at least 20 minutes or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.

2. Make the Lemon Pepper Hot Honey: In a stand mixer or bowl, whisk together honey, lemon zest, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and salt. Whisk for 8-10 minutes until smooth and light. Set aside.

3. Heat the Oil: In a large pot, heat vegetable oil to 330°F.

4. Coat the Chicken: Dredge the marinated chicken in Papi’s Lemon Pepper Deluxe Breading, ensuring each piece is fully coated. Shake off any excess breading.

5. Fry the Chicken: Fry the chicken in batches, cooking similar pieces together for even cooking:

• Thighs: 14-18 minutes
• Legs: 12-15 minutes
• Breasts and wings: 10-12 minutes

Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of each piece.

6. Drizzle and Serve: Once fried, drizzle the chicken with the whipped lemon pepper hot honey. Serve immediately and enjoy! 

Tips for Success

• Marination Matters: For maximum flavor and tenderness, let the chicken marinate overnight.
• Temperature Control: Use a thermometer to monitor the oil temperature for consistent frying results.
• Hot Honey Pro Tip: Whisking the hot honey thoroughly creates a smooth, luxurious texture that’s perfect for drizzling.

Storage Suggestions

If you have leftovers (though it’s unlikely!), store the fried chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes to restore crispiness.

Whether it’s a casual dinner or a weekend indulgence, this Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken will have everyone coming back for seconds. With its bold flavors, irresistible crunch, and sweet-spicy finish, it’s bound to become a favorite in your kitchen!

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Juicy Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken

Crispy, juicy, and packed with zesty flavor, this Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken is a game-changer. Marinated in a tangy buttermilk blend and coated in Papi’s Lemon Pepper Deluxe Breading, each bite delivers bold, vibrant seasoning and perfect crunch. Finished with a drizzle of whipped lemon pepper hot honey, it’s fried chicken like you’ve never had before!

Course chicken, dinner, Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword fried chicken, hot honey, lemon pepper

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 6 people

Author kingcooks

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil for frying

Lemon Pepper Marinade

• 3-4 lbs bone in chicken pieces thighs legs breast and wings
• 2 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 1/4 cup Papi’s Lemon Pepper Deluxe Breading

Crispy Breading

• 2 cups Papi’s Lemon Pepper Deluxe Breading

Lemon Pepper Hot Honey

• 1 cup honey
• 1 tbsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp black pepper fresh cracked
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

Lemon Pepper Marinade

• In a large bowl, add all ingredients listed under “Lemon Pepper Marinade” and mix until the chicken pieces are fully coated. Set aside to marinate at least 20 minutes of 24 hours in the fridge.

Lemon Pepper Hot Honey

• In a stand mixer or bowl add all ingredients listed under “Lemon Pepper Hot Honey.” Using the whisk attachment, whisk for 8-10 minutes until the mixture is fully incorporated and gains a smooth and light texture. Set aside.

Assemble

• Heat a large pot of vegetable oil to 330F.
• Working in batches, dredge the marinated chicken pieces in the Papi Cuisine Lemon Pepper Deluxe Breading until each is fully coated. Shake off any excess and gently place into the hot oil.
• I recommend frying like pieces together to assure a proper cook. Fry thighs for 14-18 minutes, legs for 12-15 minutes, breast and wings for 10-12 minutes.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of each piece.
• Once all pieces are cooked, drizzle with the whipped lemon pepper hot honey. Enjoy!

There’s something magical about the combination of crispy fried chicken and buttery biscuits. These Chicken Biscuit take it to the next level with a generous drizzle of whipped honey butter. Whether you’re making these for brunch, lunch, or dinner, the combination of tender chicken, fluffy biscuits, and sweet-savory honey butter will have everyone asking for seconds.

Why You’re Going to Love This Recipe

• Perfect for Comfort Food Cravings: If you’re craving something indulgent and comforting, these chicken biscuits hit the spot. The crispy, golden chicken pairs beautifully with a soft, buttery biscuit, and the whipped honey butter adds an irresistible sweetness.
• Easy to Make Ahead: You can marinate the chicken and prep the honey butter in advance, making this recipe perfect for busy days or weekend gatherings.
• Versatile & Customizable: Use your favorite biscuit recipe or even store-bought ones in a pinch. You can also adjust the spices in the marinade and batter to suit your taste!

How to Make Chicken Biscuits

1. Marinate the Chicken: The secret to juicy, flavorful chicken starts with the marinade. A mix of buttermilk, pickle juice, and a few simple spices infuses the chicken with flavor and keeps it incredibly tender.
2. Whip Up the Honey Butter: This honey butter is a game-changer! Whipped until light and fluffy, it’s the perfect balance of sweet and savory with a touch of garlic and onion.
3. Prepare the Crispy Batter: The combination of flour, cornstarch, and spices gives the chicken its signature crispiness. Each piece is dredged in the mixture, ensuring a crunchy bite in every mouthful.
4. Fry the Chicken: Once the chicken is marinated and coated, fry until golden brown and perfectly crispy. The key is to fry in batches to avoid overcrowding the pot.
5. Assemble the Biscuits (recipe): Start with a toasted biscuit, add a piece of crispy chicken, and slather it with that luscious honey butter. Crown it with the top half of the biscuit, and you’re ready to savor every bite.

Storage and Leftovers

If you have leftovers (though that’s unlikely!), store the chicken and biscuits separately in airtight containers. The chicken will stay crispy if reheated in an oven or air fryer. The whipped honey butter can be stored in the fridge and spread on anything from toast to cornbread for a little extra indulgence!

More Recipes You’ll Love

Looking for more delicious recipes to complement your Chicken Biscuits? Here are some crowd-pleasers that are sure to satisfy:

• Watermelon Lemonade – A refreshing and satisfy beverage that pair fresh watermelon, mint, cucumber and freshly squeezed lemon juice.
• Peaches and Cream Lemonade – Rich and delicious twist that brings together two southern classics.

Enjoy these Chicken Biscuits alongside these delicious recipes for the ultimate comfort food feast!

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Crispy Chicken Biscuit with Whipped Honey Butter

These Chicken Biscuits are everything you love about comfort food—crispy, tender fried chicken hugged by a fluffy, buttery biscuit and topped with a whipped honey butter that’s just the right mix of sweet and savory. The chicken is marinated to perfection and coated in a crispy batter that makes each bite irresistible. Whether for brunch or a satisfying dinner, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite!

Servings 6

Author kingcooks

Ingredients

• 5-6 biscuits
• Vegetable oil for frying

Chicken Marinade

• 3-4 lbs chicken thighs boneless skinless
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 2 tbsp pickle juice
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp paprika

Crispy Batter

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup cornstarch
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1/2 paprika

Whipped honey butter

• 1 cup honey
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter softened
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

Whipped Honey Butter

• In a bowl or stand mixer, add all the ingredients listed under “Whipped Honey Butter.”
• Start off slow and gradually increase the speed until you reach the highest level.
• Allow to mix for 6-8 minutes on high speed until it turns a light golden color.
• Once achieved, set aside.

Chicken Marinade

• In a large bowl, add all the ingredients listed under “Chicken Marinade.”
• Mix thoroughly and set aside at least 30 minutes to marinate.

Crispy Batter

• In a large bowl add all the ingredients listed under “Crispy Batter.” Whisk until fully incorporated and set aside.

Assemble

• Heat a pot of large pot of oil to 350F.
• Once the chicken is marinaded, working in batches, add to the crispy batter and dredge until each piece is fully coated.
• Transfer to a baking tray for 5-6 minutes to allow the coating to adhere to the chicken.
• Gently add the coated chicken pieces to the hot oil and fry for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown and has an internal temperature of 165F.
• Once cooked, add the chicken to the bottom half of a toasted biscuit (recipe here).
• Then, add a good amount of the whipped honey butter on top. Finally crown with the top toasted half of the biscuit and enjoy!

Ingredients

The ingredients listed for this recipe are really easy to find! In Japanese cooking, the ingredients are usually simple with the method of bringing them together being the difference maker. For this recipe, the star is the potato flour. Fried chicken has got to have a nice crispy and light coating and that’s exactly what the potato flour does! Now if you can’t find potato flour, cornstarch is a great alternative.

The Marinade

In a large bowl, add the chicken pieces, ginger, garlic, rice vinegar (or sake), soy sauce, sesame oil, white pepper and salt. Today, we’re using boneless chicken thighs like most karaage recipes call for. Feel free to use skin-less chicken breast as well. Traditional, the recipe uses sake but today I’m using rice vinegar as a replacement. I’ve found that this blend comes together so well in the end. The flavors work in layers so one is not overpowering the other but working together. It’s amazing! Mix thoroughly, and marinate for at least one hour but no more than 24 hours since some of the ingredients are acidic.

The Dipping Sauce

for the bang bang sauce, in a bowl mix together the mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce. Set aside until ready to serve. Really simple, but it’s mind-blowing! Goes well with pretty much anything that is fried. 

Crispy Coating

After marinating, sprinkle in the potato flour (or cornstarch) a tablespoon at a time until the chicken pieces are coated lightly.

The coating should be a really light batter, mostly dry but not saturated with flour like normal fried chicken.

Tip: if you notice the coating is more on the wet side, add a small amount of potato flour or cornstarch to balance it out. This is the most important step and the secret to making karaage chicken. So take your time to make sure you get the right coating. 

Let’s Get Golden

Today I’m using a small deep fryer and I highly recommend it! Easy clean up and you get that overall crispiness you’d get at a restaurant at home! I’ve also included how to cook the karaage on the stove in the recipe below!

Fill your deep fryer to max line with vegetable oil and get temperature to 300 degrees. Working in batches, add in a few pieces of chicken, being careful not to over crowd the frying basket and fry for 5-7 minutes.

Once all pieces go through the first fry, raise the temperature to 350 and fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.

Using the double fry method allows you to cook the chicken during the first fry at a lower temperature while still remaining juicy. The second fry at a higher temperature is solely meant to get the exterior golden brown and crispy.

Transfer to a cooling rake until you are ready to serve.
Garnish with green onions, lemon wedges and a side of dipping sauce.
There you have it, Karaage (Japanese fried chicken)!

*On Pinterest? Click the pic below to pin!*

See how easy that was?!? Until next time, cook like a king!

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Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)

My take on a Japanese classic! Flavorful and juicy bite size pieces of chicken fried golden brown. Served with a simple and amazing dipping sauce.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Japanese

Keyword Karaage (Japanese fried chicken)

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Marinating time 1 hour hour

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author kingcooks

Ingredients

Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)

• 2 lbs. boneless chicken thigh cut into 1 inch pieces
• 1 cup potato flour or cornstarch
• 1 tbsp. ginger grated
• 1 tbsp. garlic grated
• 1 tsp. sake or rice vinegar
• 1 tsp. soy sauce
• 1 tsp. sesame oil
• ½ tsp. white pepper
• ¼ tsp. salt
• 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
• 2 lemons cut into wedges

For Garnish

• 1/4 cup cup green onion chopped

Bang Bang Sauce

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ¾ cup sweet chili sauce

Instructions

Bang Bang Sauce

• In a bowl mix together the mayonnaise and sweet chili sauce. Set aside until ready to serve.

Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)

• In a large bowl, add the chicken pieces, ginger, garlic, rice vinegar (or sake), soy sauce, sesame oil, white pepper and salt.
• Mix thoroughly, and marinate for at least one hour but no more than 24 hours since some of the ingredients are acidic.
• After marinating, sprinkle in the potato flour (or cornstarch) a tablespoon at a time until the chicken pieces are coated lightly. The coating should be mostly dry but not saturated with flour like normal fried chicken.
• If using a deep fryer: fill to max line and get temperature to 300 degrees. Working in batches, add in a few pieces of chicken, being careful not to over crowd the frying basket and fry for 5-7 minutes. Once all pieces go through the first fry, raise the temperature to 350 and fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
• If frying on the stove: add about an inch of oil to a deep frying pan over medium heat. Working in batches, add in a few pieces of chicken, being careful not to over crowd the pan and fry for 5-7 minutes.
• Once all pieces go through the first fry, raise the temperature to high heat and fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
• Transfer to a cooling rake until you are ready to serve.
• Garnish with green onions, lemon wedges and a side of dipping sauce. 
Enjoy!