Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe– Crispy, Sweet & Spicy Perfection

The first time I tried making a hot honey chicken tenders recipe, my family couldn’t stop raving about them. The crispy exterior, paired with the sweet and spicy honey drizzle, created a meal full of flavor in every bite. 

I love how simple and fun they are to prepare, and they’re a real crowd-pleaser. Whether it’s a game day snack or a weeknight dinner, these tenders always steal the show.

Trust me, once you make this recipe, you’ll find yourself craving it again and again! Don’t miss out on the delicious twist of our Pizza Burgers Recipe.

Ingredients

Here are some ingredients for Hot Honey Chicken Tenders:

Marinade

• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenders

Dredge

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce

Hot Honey

• 2 ½ cups honey
• 5 tablespoons hot sauce
• 2 ½ tablespoons cayenne pepper
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

For Frying

• Vegetable oil or shortening
• Kosher salt for sprinkling

Note: This recipe makes 4–6 servings.

Variations

This recipe can be easily adapted for different preferences. Here are some ideas:

• Milder version: Reduce the cayenne pepper in the hot honey for a less spicy kick.
• Baked option: Skip frying and bake the chicken at 400°F until crispy.
• Gluten-free substitute: Use gluten-free flour and cornstarch for the dredge.
• Herbal twist: Add dried herbs like oregano or parsley to the dredge for extra flavor.

Visit our dinner recipes for more weeknight favorites.

Cooking Time

• Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Equipment You Need

• Large bowl (for the marinade)
• Medium bowls (for the dredge and egg mixture)
• Wire rack (for resting the dredged chicken and draining oil)
• Baking sheet (to catch drippings under the wire rack)
• Deep skillet or cast-iron pan (for frying)
• Saucepan (for making hot honey)

How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Tenders?

Making these hot honey chicken tenders is all about layering flavors and achieving that perfect crispy texture. Follow these steps for a delicious result.

Marinate the Chicken

Start by whisking together buttermilk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add the chicken tenders to the mixture and toss to coat evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour. This step ensures the chicken stays tender and juicy.

Prepare the Dredge and Egg Mixture

While the chicken marinates, set up your dredging station. Mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, baking powder, and black pepper in one bowl. Beat the eggs with hot sauce and a splash of water in another bowl. The double dredge process is key to creating the golden, crunchy coating.

Dredge the Chicken

Take the marinated chicken and dip each piece in the flour mixture, pressing to ensure it sticks. Next, coat the chicken in the egg mixture before dredging it in the flour mixture again. Place the coated tenders on a wire rack and allow them to rest for 15 minutes to firm up the coating.

Fry the Chicken

Heat about ½ inch of oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully fry the chicken tenders in batches, flipping once, until they’re golden brown. This usually takes about 3 minutes per side. Transfer them to a wire rack to drain excess oil and sprinkle with salt for extra flavor.

Make the Hot Honey

Combine honey, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, and salt in a small saucepan. Warm the mixture over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to infuse the flavors. Once done, remove it from the heat and set aside to thicken slightly.

Drizzle and Serve

Arrange the crispy tenders on a serving plate and generously drizzle them with hot honey. Serve additional sauce on the side for dipping, and enjoy!

How Spicy is the Hot Honey?

Hot honey has a bold, tangy heat that comes as a slow burn rather than an intense spice hit. The cayenne balances the sweetness of the honey and adds depth to the flavor. If you’re sensitive to heat, use less cayenne, and if you love spice, feel free to add more!

What Hot Sauce to Use for Hot Honey?

The type of hot sauce you choose impacts the final flavor. A vinegar-based sauce like Tabasco or Frank’s Red Hot works well to complement the sweetness of the honey. If you prefer a smokier tone, consider using a chipotle hot sauce.

Experimenting with sauces allows you to tailor the heat level and flavor profile to your liking!

Hot honey chicken tenders bring together the best of crispy chicken and bold flavors. They’re perfect for any occasion and sure to impress anyone who tries them. Give this recipe a shot, and you won’t be disappointed!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe?

Here’s why these hot honey chicken tenders are a winner:

• Irresistible crunch: The double-dredged coating makes every bite crispy.
• Sweet and spicy balance: The hot honey elevates the flavor profile.
• Versatility: They’re great for snacks, dinners, or party appetizers.
• Customizable spiciness: Adjust the cayenne pepper to your heat preference.

How to Serve Hot Honey Chicken Tenders?

Take your serving game up a notch with these tips:

Pair these tenders with dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese for a cooling contrast. Serve them on a platter lined with parchment paper to catch the hot honey drizzle.

Add a side of coleslaw, Smoked Paprika Chicken, or potato wedges to make it a complete meal. Garnish with chopped parsley or green onions for a fresh and vibrant touch.

Nutritional Information

Here’s an overview of the nutritional content per serving:

• Calories: Around 450
• Protein: Approximately 30g
• Carbohydrates: About 40g
• Fat: Roughly 20g

Make Ahead and Storage

If you have leftovers or plan to make ahead, here’s what to do.

It’s best to keep the hot honey separate from the chicken until you’re ready to eat. Store the chicken tenders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in an air fryer or oven at 350°F until crispy. The hot honey can be stored at room temperature in a sealed jar and gently reheated before use. For best results, avoid freezing, as it can compromise the texture of the chicken.

Tips for Making the Recipe

Having made this recipe a few times, I’ve learned a few tricks to perfect it:

• Resting the dredged chicken before frying ensures a crispier coating.
• Use a candy thermometer to maintain oil temperature around 350°F for even frying.
• Strain and reuse the oil for frying other dishes to reduce waste.
• Don’t skip the cayenne in the honey; it’s essential for that signature kick.

Ben Carraoli

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe

The first time I tried making hot honey chicken tenders, my family couldn't stop raving about them. The crispy exterior, paired with the sweet and spicy honey drizzle, created a meal full of flavor in every bite.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course: Snack

Calories: 450

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• Marinade
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons black pepper
• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken tenders
• Dredge
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce
• Hot Honey
• 2 ½ cups honey
• 5 tablespoons hot sauce
• 2 ½ tablespoons cayenne pepper
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• For Frying
• Vegetable oil or shortening
• Kosher salt for sprinkling

Method

 

1. Start by whisking together buttermilk, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Add the chicken tenders to the mixture and toss to coat evenly. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to an hour. This step ensures the chicken stays tender and juicy.
2. While the chicken marinates, set up your dredging station. Mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, baking powder, and black pepper in one bowl. Beat the eggs with hot sauce and a splash of water in another bowl. The double dredge process is key to creating the golden, crunchy coating.
3. Take the marinated chicken and dip each piece in the flour mixture, pressing to ensure it sticks. Next, coat the chicken in the egg mixture before dredging it in the flour mixture again. Place the coated tenders on a wire rack and allow them to rest for 15 minutes to firm up the coating.
4. Heat about ½ inch of oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully fry the chicken tenders in batches, flipping once, until they’re golden brown. This usually takes about 3 minutes per side. Transfer them to a wire rack to drain excess oil and sprinkle with salt for extra flavor.
5. combine honey, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, and salt in a small saucepan. Warm the mixture over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to infuse the flavors. Once done, remove it from the heat and set aside to thicken slightly.
6. Arrange the crispy tenders on a serving plate and generously drizzle them with hot honey. Serve additional sauce on the side for dipping, and enjoy!