Flavorful Honey Chicken Recipe: Simply Amazing!
Picture this: It’s a warm summer evening, the sun is setting, and the smell of charcoal wafts through the air. You’re surrounded by friends and family, all eager to taste the star of the show – Heineken in the Hiney Chicken Recipe.
Yes, you read that right. This chicken recipe takes things to a whole new level by incorporating Heineken lager beer into both the marinade and the sauce for a truly unique flavor profile that you won’t find anywhere else.
I know what you might be thinking – beer in food? Trust me when I say that it’s worth giving this recipe a chance. The sweetness of the honey beer sauce paired with the savory seasoning blend is nothing short of heavenly.
But don’t take my word for it – try it out for yourself and become your own personal chef extraordinaire. Keep reading for the ingredient list, how-to, variations and tips on this delicious recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Folks, let me tell you why you’re going to love this recipe. This isn’t your average chicken recipe – oh no. We’re taking things up a notch with a little Heineken lager beer and some delicious honey beer sauce.
First and foremost, the Heineken adds a unique flavor to the chicken. It’s subtle but definitely noticeable, and it pairs perfectly with the blend of seasonings like poultry seasoning, black pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. These flavors combine to create a mouth-watering and savory experience that you won’t forget.
Secondly, can we talk about that honey beer sauce? This is where our recipe truly shines. We’ve blended together brown sugar, garlic cloves, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, and of course Heineken into one seriously delicious mixture. Once it’s cooked with the chicken it creates an absolutely heavenly glaze that covers every inch of the meat.
And let’s not forget how easy this recipe is to make! We’ve kept things simple by using boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs – either will work great for this dish. The whole thing takes just 20 minutes on medium-high heat so it’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal or a last-minute dinner party.
But don’t just take my word for it – give this recipe a try and experience amazing flavor for yourself! You’ll be hooked on this twist on classic chicken recipes in no time.
Ingredient List
- Whole chicken – The star of the dish, the chicken will be infused with the flavors of Heineken beer and honey beer sauce.
- Heineken lager beer – This beer is used in both the marinade and the beer sauce recipe. It gives a unique taste when paired with other ingredients such as honey, soy sauce, and dijon mustard.
- Olive oil – A versatile cooking oil that is used to coat the chicken skin for roasting.
- Poultry seasoning – This combination of spices is used to add flavor to the chicken. It usually contains herbs like sage, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram.
- Black pepper – A must-have ingredient for any recipe that involves meat. It enhances its natural flavor.
- Onion powder – A convenient way to add onion flavor without having to dice onions.
- Cayenne pepper – Adds heat to the dish but use sparingly for those who have a low tolerance for spice.
- Season salt – A premixed seasoning composed of salt and other flavorings such as onion powder, garlic powder or paprika.
- Garlic powder – Adds a savory flavor to the chicken without overpowering it.
- Brown sugar – Balances out the flavors in the marinade by providing sweetness.
- Garlic cloves – Another garlic-based ingredient used in both the marinade and beer sauce recipe. It adds depth and complexity to the chicken’s taste.
For additional ingredients used in variations such as boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs or crispy honey-glazed drumsticks, see (5) Substitutions and Variations section.
The Recipe How-To
Now that you have all the necessary ingredients, let’s get to the fun part – cooking the chicken! You can use a whole chicken for this recipe or boneless skinless chicken breasts if you prefer. The cooking times and temperatures will vary slightly depending on what type of chicken you use.
Preparing the Chicken
- Rinse the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Rub olive oil all over the chicken to help it stay moist while cooking.
- Combine poultry seasoning, onion powder, cayenne pepper, season salt, and garlic powder in a small bowl.
- Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the entire chicken, making sure to get it under the skin as well.
- Massage the spices into the chicken, ensuring that it is thoroughly coated.
Cooking the Chicken
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and brush the grates with oil to prevent sticking.
- Open a can of Heineken lager beer and place it in the center of a disposable aluminum pan or sturdy glass baking dish.
- Add garlic cloves and some extra spices to flavor the beer (optional).
- Carefully place your prepared chicken over the can so that it stands upright.
- Place the pan on your grill grates and close the lid, being careful not to knock over the beer can.
- Cook for about 1 1/2 – 2 hours, until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the breast reads 165°F (75°C).
- While waiting, prepare your honey beer sauce (see section 7).
Finishing Touches
- Once cooked, carefully remove both chicken and beer can from grill using tongs.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before removing from can and carving or serving as desired.
- Drizzle warm honey beer sauce over each piece of chicken and serve.
Enjoy your delicious Heineken in the Hiney Chicken Recipe with family and friends!
Substitutions and Variations
I know that experimenting with new flavors can be both fun and daunting at the same time, especially if you’re not sure where to start. That’s why I’ve included a few substitutions and variations for this Heineken in the Hiney Chicken Recipe.
If you don’t have Heineken lager beer, you can try using another light beer or any honey beer of your choice. The flavor profile of the beer sauce will change slightly, but it will still be delicious.
For those who prefer dark meat, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of whole chicken or chicken breast halves. This will give your dish a richer taste, and the chicken will become more succulent and tender.
If you prefer a spicier kick to your chicken, you can add more cayenne pepper to the seasoning blend or even try substituting it altogether with dried chili flakes or hot sauce.
For those who need gluten-free options, you can substitute flour-based batter with rice flour, cornstarch or chickpea flour to make your crispy chicken gluten-free.
And for those who adore Chinese food like me, why not try turning this recipe into crispy honey garlic chicken? All you need is to swap out the poultry seasoning with five-spice powder and mix garlic and honey beer in soy sauce instead of Dijon mustard for a savory-sweet blend that’ll leave you craving more. The possibilities are endless; feel free to get creative with it!
Serving and Pairing
Now that you’ve cooked up a delicious dish of Heineken in the Hiney Chicken, it’s time to think about how to serve and pair it to maximize the taste experience. This sweet and spicy beer chicken recipe pairs perfectly with a variety of sides and drinks.
For a classic pairing, serve your beer chicken with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables like brussels sprouts, carrots, or sweet potatoes. The slightly bitter greens balance out the savory and sweet flavors of the chicken, while the roasted veggies add a crunchy texture to the dish.
If you’re looking for something more filling, try serving your Heineken in the Hiney Chicken with steamed white rice or buttery mashed potatoes. These sides are great choices because they soak up some of the flavorful beer sauce and act as a neutral canvas, letting the tasty chicken take center stage.
To further complement your beer chicken dinner, crack open an ice-cold bottle of Heineken beer to drink alongside it. The crisp and refreshing lager is a great match for the spicy and slightly sweet flavors in this recipe. Alternatively, if you prefer something non-alcoholic, try pairing your meal with a chilled glass of iced tea or lemonade.
No matter how you choose to serve and pair your Heineken in the Hiney Chicken, be sure to savor every bite of this deliciously sticky and flavorful main course.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
Once you’ve made this honey beer chicken recipe, it’s best to consume immediately when it is fresh out of the oven or grill. However, if you have some leftovers, don’t worry! This can be reheated for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
To store, let the chicken cool down to room temperature and then transfer to an airtight container. Reheating can be done in the microwave or in the oven if you prefer crispy skin. Be sure to cover with foil if using the oven to keep moisture inside.
If you want to make this dish ahead of time for a party or larger gathering, you can marinade the chicken with all the ingredients except for the Heineken beer, for up to 24 hours in advance. When ready to cook, take out of the marinade and add the Heineken beer just before cooking.
Lastly, if reheating in the microwave or oven, you can make extra beer sauce while cooking and save it for later use. This sauce is delicious on other types of protein such as pork or beef, as well as rice or noodles for a unique twist on Chinese food.
Tips for Perfect Results
Cooking chicken can be tricky since you want to avoid drying out the meat while also making sure that it is cooked through. Here are a few tips to ensure that your Heineken in the Hiney Chicken turns out perfectly every time.
First, be generous with the olive oil when applying the dry rub to the chicken. This will help to keep the meat moist as it cooks.
Second, allow the chicken to rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. This will give the juices in the meat a chance to redistribute, resulting in tender and juicy chicken every time.
Third, if you’re using boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, try pounding them with a meat mallet to an even thickness before cooking. This will help to ensure that they cook evenly and prevent them from drying out.
Fourth, if you prefer a spicier flavor profile, feel free to increase the amount of cayenne pepper in the dry rub or add some hot sauce to the beer sauce.
Lastly, don’t skip the beer sauce! It’s what makes this dish truly unique and delicious. Be sure to follow the recipe instructions carefully and allow enough time for the sauce to simmer and thicken up before pouring it over the chicken.
Following these tips will guarantee that your Heineken in the Hiney Chicken comes out perfectly every time – tender, juicy, and full of flavor.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, the Heineken in the Hiney Chicken Recipe is a must-try dish for any home cook who loves experimenting with new flavors and creating memorable meals for their guests. With its unique blend of spices, beer, and honey that come together to create a sticky and savory sauce, this dish will undoubtedly be a crowd-pleaser at your next party or family gathering.
Whether you choose to use bone-in chicken thighs, drumsticks, or boneless skinless chicken breasts, the Heineken in the Hiney Chicken Recipe is versatile and easy to customize to your preferences. You can also try various substitutions and variations such as adding different herbs or using other types of beer for the sauce.
In addition to being delicious and easy to make, the Heineken in the Hiney Chicken Recipe is also perfect for meal prep since it reheats beautifully and can be stored in the fridge for up to four days. So go ahead and give this recipe a try, and impress your guests with its succulent flavor and crispy skin that will remind them of their favorite Chinese takeout dishes. Trust me; your guests won’t be disappointed!
Heineken in the Hiney Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken
- 1 -2 jalapeno
- 2 garlic cloves
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons season salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pinch poultry seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 (24 ounce) Heineken lager beer
- 1/4 cup spicy bbq sauce
Instructions
- Combine dry ingredients blend thoroughly, set aside.
- Clean chicken, discard neck and giblets and dry.
- Coat chicken with olive oil.
- Rub dry ingredients on the inside and outside of chicken.
- Using indirect heat preheat grill ( only light one side of burners).
- Remove entire top of beer can with a can opener discard or drink approximately half the beer, and add garlic cloves and Jalapenos.
- Place can inside the chicken so it will stand up alone, place on unlit side of grill and cook for 1-1/2 to 2 hours at 300 degrees then brush on BBQ sauce in the last half hour.
- Remove from grill and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Remove can and enjoy!
Your Own Notes
Nutrition
Recommended Recipes Just For You
Anna is a culinary expert who specializes in grilling delicious BBQ dishes. She also enjoys sharing her recipes and experiences with her foodie community on her blog. She’s the total package for any backyard barbecue!