Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Charlotte

Crispy, golden-fried chicken tenders coated in a sweet and spicy hot honey glaze. Perfect for game day, family dinners, or meal prep!

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Matinating 30

Total Time 1

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings Servings

Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients

For the Chicken Tenders:

1.5 lb chicken tenders or boneless chicken breasts (cut into strips)
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Oil for frying (vegetable, peanut, or canola)

For the Hot Honey Sauce:

½ cup honey
2 tbsp hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Optional Sides/Dips:

Ranch dressing, coleslaw, pickles, or garlic aioli

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken:

In a bowl, combine chicken tenders and buttermilk. Marinate for 30 minutes (or overnight for maximum flavor).

Coat the Chicken:

In a shallow dish, mix flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
Dip each marinated tender into the seasoned flour, then back into the buttermilk, and finally coat with panko breadcrumbs.

Cook the Chicken:

Deep Frying: Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry tenders in batches for 5–6 minutes until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
Air Frying: Lightly spray tenders with oil. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
Baking: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake on a wire rack for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway.

Make the Hot Honey Sauce:

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in honey, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, and apple cider vinegar. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.

Serve:

Drizzle the hot honey sauce over the crispy tenders. Serve immediately with dipping sauces and sides.

Notes

Pro Tip: Let breaded tenders rest for 10 minutes before frying to ensure the coating sticks.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in an air fryer or oven to maintain crispiness.
Freezing: Freeze uncooked, breaded tenders on a baking sheet. Transfer to a freezer bag and cook from frozen (add 2–3 minutes to cooking time).

Nutrition

Calories: 400kcal

Keyword Hot Honey Chicken Tenders, Spicy Chicken Recipe

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