easy chicken biscuit

Easy Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits Copycat Whataburger is the kind of breakfast that saves the day when you are bored of cereal and you do not want to leave the house. You know that feeling when you want something hot, a little sweet, a little salty, and actually filling. This is my go to when friends stay over or when my weekend needs a reward. It tastes like the drive thru favorite, but you can make it in your own kitchen without a long line. Plus, your house will smell like biscuits and fried chicken, which is never a bad thing.

What is a Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit?

A honey butter chicken biscuit is exactly what it sounds like, and honestly it is one of those simple combos that just works. You take a fluffy biscuit, tuck in a crispy piece of chicken, and drizzle or spread honey butter all over it. Sweet meets savory, soft meets crunchy, and suddenly breakfast feels exciting again.

The Whataburger version is famous for a reason. It is not trying to be fancy. It is just comfort food that hits every craving at once. When I started making Easy Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits Copycat Whataburger at home, I realized the magic is mostly in two things: a well seasoned crispy chicken and a honey butter that is not shy.

If you already love honey on chicken, you are going to be all in. And if you are a fan of chicken recipes with big flavor, you might also like this one I bookmarked for later: Honey Butter Crispy Chicken. Same sweet savory vibe, different format.

One more thing I love about this biscuit situation is how customizable it is. You can keep it classic, or add heat, or even make it smaller for snacky sliders.

How to make Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits

I am going to walk you through how I make these at home without overcomplicating anything. You can go fully homemade, or mix and match with shortcuts depending on your energy level. No judgment here.

My easy step by step method

Here is the basic flow. I usually bake the biscuits while the chicken cooks so everything is hot at the same time.

• Make the honey butter: Stir softened butter with honey and a pinch of salt. Taste it. Add more honey if you want it sweeter.
• Prep the chicken: Slice chicken breasts into cutlets or use tenders. Pat dry so the coating sticks.
• Season and coat: Dip in buttermilk (or milk with a splash of vinegar), then coat in seasoned flour. I add salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
• Cook the chicken: Pan fry in about half an inch of oil until golden and cooked through. Or air fry if you prefer less mess.
• Bake or warm biscuits: Use store bought biscuits, canned biscuits, or homemade. Warm is key.
• Assemble: Split biscuits, add chicken, then spread a generous layer of honey butter on the top half. Close and press gently.

I always tell people to make the honey butter first because it is the fun part and it makes you feel like you are already winning. Also, if you spread honey butter on a warm biscuit while the chicken rests for a minute, it melts into all the little layers and turns glossy and perfect.

Quick safety and timing note, because I have learned this the hard way. If you are frying, keep the oil at a steady medium heat. Too hot and the outside goes dark before the inside is done. Too cool and the coating gets oily. If you have a thermometer, chicken is done at 165 F in the thickest part.

When I am in a chicken mood, I rotate recipes a lot so dinner does not get boring. A few other cozy chicken ideas I keep in my back pocket are Cowboy Butter Chicken Tenders for that buttery kick and Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Rice when I want comfort in a bowl.

Also, here is where I promised myself I would be honest. The first time I made Easy Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits Copycat Whataburger, I under salted the flour and the chicken tasted flat. Do not be scared of seasoning. The honey butter brings sweetness, but the chicken needs to bring the savory.

“I made these for my family on Sunday morning and everyone went quiet for a minute, which is how I know it was good. The honey butter is the star and the chicken stayed crispy even after assembling.”

Ingredients and Substitutions

This is one of those recipes that looks like it has a lot going on, but most of it is pantry stuff. I am also including swaps because real life kitchens are not always perfectly stocked.

What you will need and what you can swap

For the biscuits:

You can use homemade biscuits, canned biscuits, frozen biscuits, or even sturdy store bakery biscuits. If you want a super easy breakfast spread, you might also like this comfort classic for another day: Easy Biscuits and Gravy Casserole.

For the chicken:

Chicken breast cutlets or tenders work best. Thighs are juicier if you prefer dark meat, just keep them thin so they fit inside the biscuit.

For the coating:

All purpose flour is the classic. If you want extra crunch, mix in a spoon or two of cornstarch. For seasoning, I stick with salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and sometimes cayenne.

For the dip:

Buttermilk is ideal, but milk plus a splash of vinegar or lemon juice is a totally fine substitute. Let it sit 5 minutes and it thickens slightly.

For the honey butter:

Softened butter, honey, and a pinch of salt. That is it. If you only have salted butter, you can still use it, just taste before adding extra salt. If you want a little warmth, a tiny pinch of chili flakes is surprisingly good.

My biggest tip here is butter temperature. If your butter is rock hard, you will fight it and end up with lumpy honey butter. If you forgot to soften it, microwave in short bursts, like 5 seconds at a time, so it does not melt.

Variations of Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits

This is where you can have fun. The base is great, but sometimes you want to switch it up depending on who you are feeding or what you are craving.

Spicy version: Add cayenne to the flour and a little hot sauce to the buttermilk dip. You can also drizzle hot honey on top of the honey butter if you like that sweet heat.

Slider version: Use mini biscuits and chicken tenders cut into smaller pieces. Perfect for game day or brunch boards.

Extra crunchy version: Double dip the chicken. Dip in flour, then buttermilk, then flour again. Let it sit for 5 minutes before frying so the coating hydrates and sticks better.

Air fryer version: Spray the coated chicken lightly with oil and air fry until crisp and cooked through. You will lose a little of that deep fried vibe, but it is still really good and much less messy.

Cheesy version: Add a thin slice of cheddar on the hot chicken so it melts slightly before you close the biscuit. This is not traditional, but it is delicious.

Sometimes I go the full comfort route and serve these with a creamy soup for a late brunch situation. If that sounds like you, try this one on a chilly day: Copycat Panera Chicken Wild Rice Soup.

What goes well with Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits

Easy Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits Copycat Whataburger can totally be a full meal on its own, but I like adding one or two simple sides so it feels like a real spread.

Something fresh: A bowl of fruit, orange slices, or berries helps balance the richness.

Something crispy: Hash browns, breakfast potatoes, or even tater tots. No need to overthink it.

Something cold: Iced coffee, sweet tea, or a big glass of milk if you are going classic comfort.

Something a little veggie: If you want color on the plate, roasted carrots are easy and sweet enough to match the honey butter. This one is a great side idea: Easy Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Carrots.

If you are hosting brunch, I like setting out extra honey butter on the table and letting people add more. There is always that one person who wants it dripping, and I respect that.

Common Questions

Can I make the honey butter ahead of time?

Yes. Mix it up and keep it in the fridge for up to a week. Let it sit at room temp for 15 minutes so it spreads easily.

How do I keep the chicken crispy inside the biscuit?

Let the chicken rest on a rack for a few minutes after cooking so steam does not make it soggy. Then assemble right before eating.

Can I bake the chicken instead of frying?

You can. It will be a little less crunchy, but still tasty. Spray the coated chicken with oil and bake on a rack so air can circulate.

What biscuits work best?

Fluffy but sturdy biscuits are best so they do not fall apart. Frozen or canned biscuits are totally fine and honestly the fastest for busy mornings.

How do I store leftovers?

Store chicken and biscuits separately if you can. Reheat chicken in an oven or air fryer to bring back crispiness, then assemble with honey butter.

A cozy breakfast worth repeating

Once you make Easy Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits Copycat Whataburger at home, it is hard not to crave them again the next weekend. The combo is simple, but it feels special, especially when the honey butter melts into a warm biscuit. If you want to compare methods or just see another take, check out this Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit Recipe (Whataburger Copycat) and this fun slider style version from Whataburger Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit Recipe – Restless Chipotle. Make a batch, share it with someone you like, and do not be surprised if it becomes your new comfort breakfast.