Crispy, juicy chicken tenders glazed with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce that delivers the perfect balance of heat and sweetness in every bite. These irresistible honey hot chicken tenders are easy to make at home and taste even better than restaurant versions!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These hot honey chicken tenders are a game-changer for dinner or as an appetizer. They’re incredibly crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, and coated with a sticky, sweet-heat honey glaze that’s absolutely addictive. Plus, they’re simple enough for weeknight cooking but impressive enough for entertaining!
Ingredients
Everything you need to make perfect hot honey chicken tenders from scratch! Fresh chicken tenderloins in a decorative bowl, surrounded by all the essential ingredients: flour for coating, spice blends for flavor, oil for frying, and fresh garlic for that irresistible aroma. These simple ingredients transform into crispy, juicy tenders with a sweet-spicy glaze.
- Chicken Tenders – Fresh, boneless chicken tenderloins that cook quickly and stay juicy.
- All-Purpose Flour – Creates the base for our crispy coating.
- Cornstarch – The secret ingredient that ensures extra crispiness.
- Eggs – Acts as the binder for the breading to stick perfectly to the chicken.
- Panko Breadcrumbs – Japanese-style breadcrumbs that provide superior crunch compared to regular breadcrumbs.
- Spices – A blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper for flavor depth.
- Honey – The sweet foundation of our glaze, use local honey if available for best flavor.
- Hot Sauce – Adds the perfect kick of heat that balances the sweetness.
- Butter – Enriches the hot honey sauce and helps it cling to the tenders.
- Red Pepper Flakes – For additional heat and visual appeal in the glaze.
- Vegetable Oil – For frying to golden perfection.
- Salt – Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness.
Full ingredient measurements will be listed in the recipe card below!
How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels. Season lightly with salt and pepper.
Step 2: Set Up Your Breading Station
Create three shallow dishes: one with seasoned flour and cornstarch, another with beaten eggs, and a third with panko breadcrumbs seasoned with paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Step 3: Bread the Chicken
Dredge each tender in the flour mixture, then dip in the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly in the panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
Step 4: Fry the Tenders
Heat oil in a large skillet or deep fryer to 350°F. Fry the tenders in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
Step 5: Make the Hot Honey Sauce
While tenders are cooking, combine honey, hot sauce, butter, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan. Heat until butter is melted and mixture is well combined.
Step 6: Glaze the Tenders
Drizzle the hot honey sauce over the fried tenders or toss them gently in the sauce until well coated.
Pro Tips
- For extra crispiness, double-dip your tenders in the egg and panko mixture.
- Let the breaded tenders rest for 5-10 minutes before frying to help the coating adhere better.
- Control the heat level by adjusting the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes.
- For a lighter version, these can be air-fried at 390°F for 12-14 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Make the hot honey sauce ahead of time and reheat when needed for meal prep convenience.
How to Serve
Serve these honey chicken tenders with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping. They’re perfect alongside crispy french fries, coleslaw, or a simple green salad. For a complete meal, pair with corn on the cob and biscuits for a Southern-inspired feast. These tenders also make fantastic sliders when placed on small rolls with pickle slices!
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store leftover tenders in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked tenders (before adding sauce) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat in an oven or air fryer at 350°F until heated through to restore crispiness. Add fresh hot honey sauce after reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these chicken tenders ahead of time?
Yes! You can bread the chicken up to a day ahead and keep it refrigerated until ready to fry. For best results, make the hot honey sauce fresh just before serving.
How spicy are these hot honey chicken tenders?
The recipe as written provides a moderate heat level that most people will enjoy. You can easily adjust by using more or less hot sauce and red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders?
Absolutely! Simply slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch strips and proceed with the recipe as written.
What’s the best oil for frying these tenders?
Vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil all work well due to their high smoke points. Choose based on your preference and dietary needs.
Can I make these honey chicken tenders without frying?
Yes! Bake them on a wire rack over a baking sheet at 425°F for 15-20 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Then toss with the hot honey sauce.
Conclusion
These hot honey chicken tenders deliver the perfect balance of sweet heat and crispy texture that will have everyone reaching for seconds! The sticky glaze clings to each perfectly crispy tender, creating an irresistible combination that’s both familiar and exciting. Whether served as an appetizer, weeknight dinner, or party food, these honey hot chicken tenders are guaranteed to be a new family favorite. For another delicious poultry option that’s just as satisfying, be sure to try my Juicy Tender Chicken recipe that pairs wonderfully with these honey hot chicken tenders for a complete meal your family will love!
Hot Honey Chicken Tenders: 5 Secrets for Crispy Perfection
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
These crispy hot honey chicken tenders deliver the perfect balance of sweet heat and crunchy texture. Juicy chicken tenders are coated in a seasoned breading, fried to golden perfection, then glazed with a mouthwatering spicy honey sauce. Ready in just 30 minutes, they’re perfect for dinner, game day, or anytime you’re craving something irresistibly delicious!
Ingredients
- Chicken Tenders – 1½ pounds (about 12-14 pieces)
- All-Purpose Flour – 1 cup
- Cornstarch – ¼ cup
- Eggs – 2 large
- Panko Breadcrumbs – 1½ cups
- Paprika – 1 tablespoon
- Garlic Powder – 1 teaspoon
- Onion Powder – 1 teaspoon
- Black Pepper – ½ teaspoon
- Salt – 1 teaspoon
- Vegetable Oil – 3 cups (for frying)
Hot Honey Sauce
- Honey – ½ cup
- Hot Sauce – 2-3 tablespoons
- Butter – 2 tablespoons
- Red Pepper Flakes – ½ teaspoon
- Salt – ¼ teaspoon
Instructions
- Prepare Breading Station – Set up three shallow dishes: In the first dish, mix flour, cornstarch, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. In the second dish, beat two eggs. In the third dish, combine panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, remaining salt and pepper.
- Bread the Chicken – Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels. Dredge each tender in the flour mixture, then dip in beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the seasoned panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Heat the Oil – In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to ensure proper temperature.
- Fry the Tenders – Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, carefully place breaded tenders in hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil.
- Make Hot Honey Sauce – While tenders are frying, combine honey, hot sauce, butter, red pepper flakes, and salt in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until butter is melted and sauce is well combined, about 2-3 minutes.
- Glaze the Tenders – Place cooked tenders in a large bowl and pour hot honey sauce over them. Gently toss until all pieces are well coated in the sticky sauce.
- Serve – Transfer to a serving plate and garnish with chopped green onions or parsley if desired. Serve immediately with additional hot honey sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, let the breaded tenders rest for 5-10 minutes before frying.
- You can adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes.
- For a lighter version, these can be air-fried at 390°F for 12-14 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- If you don’t have a thermometer, test the oil by dropping a small piece of breading in – it should sizzle immediately and float to the top.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes to restore crispiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3-4 tenders
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: hot honey chicken tenders, honey hot chicken tenders, honey chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, spicy chicken tenders, sweet and spicy chicken, fried chicken recipe