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