Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe – Sweet, Spicy, and Crispy Perfection 🍯🔥

Why You’ll Love This Recipe 💖

Hot honey chicken tenders are the perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors, with a crispy, golden crust that will leave your taste buds craving more. Whether you’re serving them for dinner or a special occasion, this dish is sure to impress. Plus, it’s simple to make and incredibly satisfying. Keep reading for step-by-step instructions, tips, and everything you need to know to create this mouthwatering dish.

Ingredients 📝

Here’s everything you’ll need to make these flavorful chicken tenders:

Time and Servings ⏰🍽️

• Preparation time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 10 minutes
• Total time: 25 minutes
• Servings: 4 servings

Recipe Notes 📝

• Spiciness: You can adjust the heat level by adding more or less hot sauce and red pepper flakes, depending on your preference.
• Honey sauce: If you like it sweeter, feel free to increase the honey amount.
• Storage: Leftover chicken tenders can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in an oven to keep the crust crispy.

Step-by-Step Guide 🥄

1. Prepare the Chicken Tenders

• Start by patting the chicken tenders dry with a paper towel. This helps the coating stick better.
• In a shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

2. Dip and Coat the Chicken

• In another bowl, whisk the eggs and buttermilk together.
• Dip each chicken tender first into the flour mixture, then into the egg mixture, and finally coat it with the panko breadcrumbs. Press the breadcrumbs gently to make sure they stick.

3. Fry the Chicken Tenders

• Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot (about 350°F), carefully place the chicken tenders into the pan.
• Fry the chicken tenders for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove them from the pan and place them on a paper towel to drain any excess oil.

4. Make the Hot Honey Sauce

• In a small saucepan, combine the honey, hot sauce, red pepper flakes, and apple cider vinegar. Stir to combine and heat over low heat until the sauce is warm and slightly thickened.

5. Coat the Chicken with Sauce

• Once the chicken tenders are fried, drizzle the hot honey sauce over them. Toss the tenders gently to coat them evenly with the sweet and spicy sauce.

Serving Suggestions 🍴

Hot honey chicken tenders are great served on their own or with some delicious sides. Here are a few ideas to complement your dish:

• Soup: Pair with a creamy tomato soup for a comforting combo.
• Salad: Serve with a fresh salad like a kale Caesar or a light mixed green salad to balance the richness of the tenders.
• Side Dish: Roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or coleslaw are all fantastic sides that pair well with the crispy tenders.
• Drink: A cold glass of lemonade or a refreshing iced tea will be the perfect drink pairing.

For a quick and crispy twist on this Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe, you can also check out my Air Fryer version here: https://yummyrecipesnow.com/air-fryer-chicken-tenders-recipe/.

Extra Tips to Make the Recipe Perfect 🍯🍗

• Coating: Make sure you press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken tenders to ensure the crispy coating stays intact while frying.
• Hot Honey Sauce: The secret ingredient for this recipe is apple cider vinegar. It adds a tangy twist to balance the sweetness of the honey and the heat of the hot sauce. Wait till you see the secret ingredient for extra tip to make the recipe perfect!
• Texture: For an extra crispy coating, double dip the tenders—first into the flour mixture, then into the egg mixture, and again into the breadcrumbs. This will give you an even thicker, crunchier coating.

How to Store and Reheat 🍗💡

• Storage: Store any leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The hot honey sauce can be stored separately in a jar.
• Reheating: To keep the chicken tenders crispy, reheat them in the oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes. You can also reheat the sauce in a small saucepan over low heat before serving.

Don’t skip the storage trick — it’s at the end of the post! 😎

Common Mistakes to Avoid ⚠️

• Overcrowding the pan: If you add too many tenders to the pan at once, the temperature of the oil will drop, causing them to become greasy instead of crispy. Fry them in batches to avoid this.
• Skipping the buttermilk: Buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken and gives it that crispy, flavorful exterior. Don’t skip this ingredient!
• Not checking the oil temperature: Make sure the oil is hot enough (350°F). If it’s too cold, the chicken will absorb too much oil and become soggy.

Nutrition Breakdown 🍴

FAQs 🔍

1. Can I make hot honey chicken tenders in the air fryer?
Yes! For a healthier version, you can cook the tenders in an air fryer. Set the air fryer to 400°F and cook the tenders for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

2. What can I use if I don’t have buttermilk?
You can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

3. How can I make the tenders spicier?
If you love extra heat, increase the amount of hot sauce or red pepper flakes in the hot honey sauce. You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the chicken coating.

4. Can I use chicken breast instead of tenders?
Absolutely! Just slice the chicken breasts into strips before following the recipe instructions.

Final Thoughts 💭

Hot honey chicken tenders are a delicious mix of sweet and spicy that are perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just craving something crispy and flavorful, this recipe is sure to satisfy your hunger and taste buds. With easy-to-follow steps and customizable spice levels, you’ll have a meal that everyone loves in no time. Enjoy making this recipe, and don’t forget to share your delicious creations with us!