Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
Hot Honey Chicken Tenders offer a perfect blend of crispy, juicy chicken coated in a golden crunchy crust, glazed with a sticky, sweet and spicy hot honey sauce. Quick to make and versatile enough for snacks, appetizers, or meals, this crowd-pleasing recipe balances bold flavors with kid-friendly appeal. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s ideal for weeknight dinners or parties.
- Author: Emily
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Chicken and Coating
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or almond flour for gluten-free)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs or panko (use gluten-free panko for gluten-free option)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Hot Honey Glaze
- ½ cup hot honey (or regular honey mixed with chili flakes)
Cooking
- Oil for frying (vegetable oil or preferred cooking oil)
- Prepare the Coating: In a shallow bowl, mix the flour, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In another bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth. This will create a triple-layer coating for the tenders.
- Dredge the Chicken: Dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated, then press into the flour and breadcrumb mixture until thoroughly covered. Repeat for all tenders.
- Cook the Tenders: Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken tenders in batches for 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Alternatively, bake in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway, until crisp and cooked through.
- Drizzle with Hot Honey: Transfer cooked tenders to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. While still warm, generously drizzle or brush the hot honey glaze over the tenders for a sticky, flavorful finish.
Notes
- Use panko breadcrumbs for an extra crispy texture.
- Do not overcrowd the frying pan to maintain oil temperature and crispiness.
- Let tenders rest briefly on a wire rack after cooking to avoid sogginess.
- Make your own hot honey by infusing honey with fresh chili flakes.
- For a thicker crust, double-dip tenders in egg and coating.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 tenders
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: hot honey, chicken tenders, crispy chicken, spicy, sweet and spicy, appetizer, gluten-free option, quick recipe