If you haven’t been dipping your fried chicken in honey butter, you’re doing it all wrong.
“Dipping fried chicken in honey butter = happiness,” says Christine Cikowski, chef/partner of Honey Butter Fried Chicken, a casual counter service eatery with two locations in Chicaogland.
It may have been a strange concept once Honey Butter Fried Chicken opened in 2013, but now, with a suburban location in Glencoe and a stand at the United Center, Chicagoans and travelers alike flock to the fried chicken hot spot for that very reason.
Quick details about Honey Butter Fried Chicken
- Address: 3361 N Elston Ave, Chicago; 668 Vernon Ave., Glencoe
- Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
- Daily Family Specials: Tuesday: Taco Tuesday, Wednesday: Kids eat free (limit 2 kids meals per adult entree)
- Parent Specials: Daily, 2:30-5 p.m: Half off single-serve cocktails and beer, Tuesday – $2 Tecate, Wednesday: Half price bottles of wine; Thursday: $5 margaritas
Honey Butter Fried Chicken menu highlights for families
There’s something for everyone at Honey Butter Fried Chicken, where ordering family style is a breeze. Start with a basket of all white meat chicken strips and let the kids choose the three complimentary homemade dipping sauces. Options include herby ranch, blue cheese, candied jalapeno mayo, honey buffalo, garlic aioli, umamique, honey mustard and everything bagel mayo.
Let everyone in the fam choose their favorite side for variety, though pimento mac and cheese, fries and kale slaw are fan favorites. Other sides include smashed potatoes with rosemary gravy, roasted sweet potato salad with cilantro lime vinaigrette and pimento cheese fries. Do not skip the universally loved corn muffin pack with — what else — honey butter (insider tip: order extra).
Picky eaters rejoice
“We always try to take care of our guests of all ages,” says Cikowski. “We’ve left the seasoning off of strips and tofu for kids that prefer more neutral flavors, made a side of buttered noodles instead of mac n cheese, included extra muffins instead of a side, etc. Just ask, and we will see what we can do!”In addition to the food, kids will also love visiting Honey Butter Fried Chicken, as they have coloring sheets and magnet wall on the patio to keep kids busy while waiting for food or during the meal.
Drink highlights
Honey Butter Fried Chicken offers an extensive cocktail and beer selection, but a menu stand-out is the variety of margaritas.
The Candied Jalapeno Margarita for those who like something a little spicy, The Perfect Margarita for those who like something classic, and The Skinny Margarita for those who like something a little less sweet.
Kids can keep it fancy by sippin’ on mocktails including a seasonal housemade lemonade spritzer (blueberry for the summer) or a combo of lemonade and sweet tea.
Recreate the flavors of Honey Butter Fried Chicken at home
Here are recipes for their famous pimento mac ‘n cheese and blueberry lemonade! (Also – you can purchase corn muffin mix or fried chicken flour mix at the restaurant, the recipes to make at home are on the package).
Recipes By Joshua Kulp and Christine Cikowski, Executive Chefs of Honey Butter Fried
Chicken in Chicago, Illinois. Makes 4-6 portions.
HBFC Mac n’ Cheese
Ingredients
- Pimento Mac ‘N Cheese
- 1⁄2 pound dried fusilli pasta
- 1⁄2 pound sharp cheddar cheese spread
- 1 1⁄2 ounces buttermilk
- 1⁄3 cup pimento peppers, pureed and strained
- Kosher salt and pepper
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a handful of salt. Add the pasta and cook 1
minute less than the package instructions indicate (al dente – slightly chewy and toothsome, but just cooked through).
While the pasta is cooking, warm the cheese spread, the pepper puree and the buttermilk over medium heat just until cheese melts into the buttermilk. Whisk to combine the cheese, buttermilk, and puree. The sauce should be ever so slightly bubbling, but be careful not to scorch the bottom of the pan.
Drain the cooked pasta and add it to cheese sauce and mix gently until the sauce adheres to the pasta. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with toasted garlic breadcrumbs.
Garlic Breadcrumbs
Ingredients
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 clove garlic
- 1 tablespoon grapeseed or canola oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- Couple pinches of Kosher salt
Directions
Preheat the oven to 325. Mash the garlic clove into a paste, and combine with the oil and butter in a small pot over low heat. Cook until butter is melted and the garlic is cooked. Stir
occasionally and keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
Toss the garlic butter with the breadcrumbs. Spread the breadcrumbs in a thin layer on a sheet pan lined with parchment. Toast in the oven until just lightly golden brown, approximately 10-15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
HBFC Blueberry Lemonade
Makes approximately 2 quarts (8 cups). Serves 8-10.
Ingredients
- 4 cups of water
- 1 1/3 cup simple syrup
- 1 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/3 cup blueberry puree
Directions
Mix together and chill. Serve over ice.
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