Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad is the perfect summer meal that balances heat and sweetness. The marinated chicken, flavored with a blend of hot honey, lemon, and garlic, is grilled to juicy perfection and drizzled with extra hot honey for that spicy-sweet kick. Paired with a refreshing and crisp corn salad featuring lime, cilantro, and sour cream, this dish is the ultimate weeknight meal that’s simple yet packed with flavor.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Grilled 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, to taste

For the 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 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice

• 1 tablespoon freshly grated lime zest

• Kosher salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Marinate the Chicken:

   • In a glass dish or resealable bag, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, hot honey, lemon zest, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Pour over the chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight.

2. Grill the Chicken:

   • Preheat the grill to the highest setting. Grill the chicken for 5 minutes, flip, and cook for another 5-6 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes, then drizzle with extra hot honey.

3. Make the Corn Salad:

   • In a bowl, combine corn, green onions, and cilantro. In a separate bowl, whisk together sour cream, lime juice, lime zest, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Add the sour cream mixture to the corn and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

4. Serve:

   • Serve the grilled hot honey chicken alongside the corn salad. Enjoy!

Nutrients (Approximate per serving)

• Calories: 500 kcal

• Fat: 30g

  • Saturated Fat: 5g

• Protein: 45g

• Carbohydrates: 22g

  • Fiber: 4g

  • Sugar: 15g

The Perfectly Grilled Hot Honey Chicken

The star of this dish is the Grilled Hot Honey Chicken, which begins with a simple yet flavorful marinade. The chicken thighs are marinated in a mixture of olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, hot honey, lemon zest, garlic, and seasonings. The combination of lemon and hot honey brings a harmonious balance of tangy and spicy flavors, while the garlic adds savory depth. Marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes (or up to overnight) ensures that the flavors penetrate deeply, resulting in juicy, flavorful meat.

When ready to cook, preheat your grill to the highest setting to ensure a good sear and grill marks on the chicken. Grill the chicken for about 5-6 minutes per side, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The high heat caramelizes the hot honey, creating a slightly crispy exterior while keeping the inside tender and juicy. Once off the grill, the chicken rests for a few minutes, allowing the juices to redistribute. Drizzling extra hot honey on top before serving adds an additional layer of heat and sweetness, making this chicken a flavorful sensation.

The Refreshing Corn Salad

The corn salad provides a refreshing contrast to the heat of the grilled chicken, with the natural sweetness of corn pairing beautifully with the tangy lime and creamy sour cream dressing. To make the salad, begin by cutting the kernels off 6 ears of sweet corn. This gives the salad a vibrant and fresh texture that’s perfect for summer. Combine the corn with thinly sliced green onions and chopped cilantro, which add freshness and a slight peppery bite to the salad.

The dressing for the salad is a creamy combination of sour cream, lime juice, and lime zest, with a pinch of salt and pepper to enhance the flavors. The sour cream adds a rich creaminess, while the lime brings a burst of citrusy brightness. Once mixed, the salad is perfectly balanced—crisp, creamy, and tangy, making it the perfect side dish to complement the sweet and spicy grilled chicken.

Simple and Delicious Assembly

The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity and how well the flavors complement each other. After grilling the hot honey chicken, serve it alongside the corn salad for a well-rounded meal. The grilled chicken is juicy and flavorful, with the slight spice of the hot honey and the refreshing zing from the lemon, while the corn salad offers a creamy, tangy contrast that brightens the entire plate. This combination of savory, spicy, and fresh flavors makes for a deliciously satisfying meal that everyone will enjoy.

For a complete meal, you can serve this dish with a side of grilled vegetables or a light green salad, but the hot honey chicken and corn salad are perfect on their own.

Nutritional Information

Each serving of Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad contains approximately 500 calories, which makes it a filling yet balanced meal. The chicken provides 45 grams of protein, making it an excellent source of lean protein for those looking to meet their protein needs. The 30 grams of fat come from the olive oil, sour cream, and the natural fat in the chicken, with 5 grams of saturated fat. The dish has 22 grams of carbohydrates and 4 grams of fiber, thanks to the sweet corn and the slight tanginess from the lime and sour cream dressing.

The dish also contains 15 grams of sugar, which comes primarily from the natural sweetness of the corn and the hot honey used to marinade and drizzle over the chicken. This gives the dish its signature sweet and spicy kick. With its combination of protein, fat, and fiber, this meal is not only flavorful but also well-balanced and filling.

Conclusion: A Flavorful and Easy Summer Meal

Grilled Hot Honey Chicken with Sweet Corn Salad is a dish that perfectly captures the flavors of summer. The spicy-sweet grilled chicken paired with the tangy and creamy corn salad makes for a satisfying and refreshing meal that is easy to prepare and packed with flavor. Whether you’re grilling for a casual weeknight dinner or hosting a summer BBQ, this dish will surely impress your guests with its vibrant flavors and simplicity. The combination of juicy chicken, sweet corn, and zesty flavors makes it the ultimate summer meal that’s both comforting and light.