Hot Garlic Honey + Pretzel-Crusted (grain-free) Chicken Bites

Garlic and honey are two of this doctor’s go-to’s for cold and flu season. I’ve been making up a batch of honey + garlic based DIY cough syrup every fall now for a few years (you can grab the recipe here) and only recently discovered that spicy garlicky-infused honey also happens to taste wonderful when paired with something crispy. Gone are the days of plugging my nose and taking down a daily spoonful of spicy pungent honey – I’ve chosen to embrace this unique flavour so I’m pouring quick and easy hot garlic honey onto roasted vegetables, using it in salad dressings and drizzling it over crispy grain-free chicken bites (recipe below!).

Garlic contains natural compounds that have been shown to improve your body’s ability to fight off viruses by up-regulating the function of your white blood cells. Studies prove that high doses of garlic can reduced the likelihood of getting sick by 63%. Already feeling unwell? Another study determined that garlic can reduce the duration of an illness by 61%. Delicious and soothing, research shows that raw local honey is more effective than over the counter cough syrups at relieving throat pain. Honey also contains a ton of naturally occurring antiviral and antibacterial properties to naturally boost the immune system. Mix the two together and you’ve got a powerful immune-boosting secret sauce, perfect for adding a little sweet heat to all of your favourite fall meals.

In addition to sharing my quick and easy hot honey recipe with you, I’m also giving you the perfect accompaniment: grain-free crispy chicken bites. This recipe was inspired by my favourite late-night bar treat from local’s only in Toronto and I do believe it’s the best thing that’s come out of this doctor’s kitchen in a while ..

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Hot Garlic Honey + Grain-free Pretzel Chicken Bites

This healthier version of my favourite bar food is great for the soul and the immune system! 

Ingredients

Hot Garlic Honey Ingredients: 

• 1 cup raw unpasteurized runny honey 
• 1 head of garlic
• 1 fresh red chili 

Pretzel Chicken Bite Ingredients: 

• 2 organic chicken breasts 
• 2 eggs, or 3 egg yolks 
• 1 tbs garlic powder
• 1 cup grain free pretzels (regular is fine if you're okay with gluten / grains) 
• flakey salt 

Quick Pickle Ingredients: 

• 2 mini cucumbers thinly sliced
• 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar 
• 2 tsp pepper corns 
• 1 tsp sweetener (monk fruit, maple syrup, cane sugar)  

Instructions

Hot Garlic Honey

Sterilize a medium size canning jar and add the honey, garlic (peeled) and red chili (chopped), let sit for 3 - 5 days before serving, will keep for 1 month in a cool dry place.

Pretzel Chicken Bite Ingredients

Crush the pretzels in a food processor until you're left with very small pieces, mix the salt and the garlic powder in with the crushed pretzels. Cut the chicken breast into small bite-sized pieces and dip in egg, then dredge in pretzel coating. Spray chicken bites with avocado oil and cook in the air fryer for 20 minutes, flipping half way. Drizzle with hot honey and more flakey salt and serve with quick pickles for a nice tangy contrast.

Quick Pickles 

Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and let sit on the counter for 1 - 6 hours. Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.