Oh, when those cravings hit for something that’s got that perfect sweet *and* spicy punch, you know I’m all about whipping up my Irresistible Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe To Savor! Seriously, there’s just something magical about that sweet honey meeting a fiery kick of spice, all wrapped up in a super crispy chicken tender. It’s the kind of thing that makes everyone happy, whether it’s a busy weeknight and you need dinner FAST, or you’re having friends over for game day and want a snack that’ll disappear in minutes. I’ve been playing with flavor combinations for ages, and trust me, this one hits all the right notes. It’s my go-to because it’s genuinely easy but tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant!

Why You’ll Love This Irresistible Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe

Seriously, what’s not to love here? I designed this recipe to be a total win, and here’s why:

Super Easy to Make: You won’t spend all day in the kitchen, I promise! It’s perfect for when you’re short on time.
Flavor Explosion: That combo of sweet honey and spicy hot sauce? It’s pure deliciousness.
Seriously Crispy Texture: We’re talking perfectly crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside. Like, *chef’s kiss* crispy!
Crowd Pleaser: Whether it’s kids or adults, these tenders disappear fast. They’re a total hit for any gathering.
Versatile Little Things: Serve them as a main, an appetizer, or even on a salad. They’re game for anything!
Quick Weeknight Dinner: Get a fantastic meal on the table in about 30 minutes. Yes, please!

Gather Your Ingredients for Irresistible Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Alright, let’s get our ducks in a row! To make these amazing hot honey chicken tenders, you’ll need just a few things from your pantry and fridge. Don’t you just love it when a recipe doesn’t require a safari for ingredients? Here’s what you’ll need to grab:

First up, the star of the show: about 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken tenders. Nice and easy! For our crispy coating, we’ll get 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of paprika all mixed together.

Then, for the egg wash, grab 2 large eggs and just a splash of 1/4 cup of milk. And for that perfectly crunchy shell, we need 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs – they make all the difference, trust me!

Now, for the frying part, have about 1/2 cup of vegetable oil ready to go. And for that irresistible glaze? We’re keeping it simple with 1/4 cup of honey, 2 tablespoons of your favorite hot sauce (adjust this if you like it spicier!), and 1 tablespoon of butter to make it all smooth and luscious.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Alright, here’s where the magic happens! Making these hot honey chicken tenders is honestly way simpler than you might think, and the results are just *so* worth it. Follow these steps, and you’ll have crispy, saucy goodness practically falling off the bone (well, not really, but you get the idea!).

Preparing the Chicken for Frying

First things first, let’s get our chicken ready for its crispy transformation. You’re gonna need three shallow dishes. In the first one, we’ll mix up our dry coating: that’s your 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. Give it a good whisk so it’s all combined. In the second dish, you’ll whisk up your 2 large eggs with that 1/4 cup of milk – this is our binder! And in the third, just spread out your 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs. Now, take each chicken tender and give it a nice little roll first in the flour, making sure it’s coated all over. Then, dip it into the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off, and finally, press it firmly into those panko crumbs. You want that coating to stick, so be generous!

Frying the Chicken Tenders to Golden Perfection

Time to get that oil hot! Pour about 1/2 cup of vegetable oil into a big skillet and let it heat up over medium-high heat. You want it hot but not smoking – a good test is to drop a tiny pinch of panko in; it should sizzle right away. Carefully place your coated chicken tenders into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Seriously, give them some space so they fry up nice and crispy instead of steaming. Let them cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side. You’re looking for a gorgeous golden brown color and, of course, that they’re cooked through. Once they’re perfect, lift them out with tongs and let them rest on a paper towel-lined plate to catch any excess oil. They’ll look amazing!

Crafting the Irresistible Hot Honey Glaze

While those tenders are draining, let’s whip up the sauce that makes these truly irresistible. Grab a small saucepan, melt your 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Once it’s all liquid and happy, stir in your 1/4 cup of honey and the 2 tablespoons of hot sauce. Just let it bubble and meld together for about a minute. It’ll thicken up just a tiny bit and smell absolutely divine. This sauce is the secret weapon, so don’t skip this step!

Coating and Serving Your Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

This is the grand finale! Gently place your beautiful, golden-fried chicken tenders back into the saucepan with the hot honey glaze. Use a spoon or spatula to carefully toss them around until every single tender is beautifully coated in that sticky, spicy-sweet sauce. The key here is to do this right before serving – we want to keep that incredible crunch from the panko! Serve them up immediately while they’re hot and the glaze is perfectly melty. They’re also amazing if you want to serve them alongside some homemade french fries!

Tips for Success with Your Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

You know, I’ve made these hot honey chicken tenders so many times, I’ve picked up a few little tricks that really make them sing. It’s all about those small details that take them from good to absolutely *OMG, I need another one*! First off, watch that oil temperature. If it’s too cool, your chicken will get greasy, and nobody wants that. Too hot, and the outside will burn before the inside is cooked. Medium-high is your sweet spot! Make sure the oil is shimmering but not smoking like crazy. And for that panko to stick like glue? Make sure you press it on really well after the egg wash. Don’t be shy! A firmer hand here means a crispier, crunchier tender. For the glaze, if it gets a little too thick after sitting, just pop it back on the stove for 30 seconds with a tiny splash of water or more hot sauce to loosen it up. And a little tip from my kitchen to yours: using good quality honey really does make a difference in the flavor!

Serving Suggestions for Your Irresistible Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

These hot honey chicken tenders are little flavor bombs all on their own, right? But if you’re looking to make them a full meal or just round out that appetizer platter, I’ve got some ideas! They are absolutely divine with some creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice to soak up any extra glaze. For a lighter touch, a crisp, fresh salad with a simple vinaigrette is fantastic. And of course, you can’t go wrong with some crunchy coleslaw! If you’re feeling a bit more ambitious, maybe even some of my zesty lemon garlic butter chicken with green beans would make for an amazing pairing. They’re just so versatile!

Frequently Asked Questions About Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Can I bake these instead of frying?

You absolutely can! While frying gives you that signature super crispy texture, baking works too. Just arrange the breaded tenders on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through. They won’t be quite as crunchy as the fried version, but they’ll still be delicious with that amazing hot honey glaze!

How spicy is this recipe? Should I make it spicier?

The kick in this recipe comes from the hot sauce. The amount I listed (2 tablespoons) gives a nice sweet-spicy balance that most people love. If you’re a heat lover, definitely add more! You can also add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the flour mixture when you’re dredging the chicken for an extra layer of heat. So yes, you can totally crank up the spice level to suit your taste!

What’s the best way to store leftovers?

Honestly, these tenders are best enjoyed fresh because that crunch factor really shines when they’re hot out of the pan. But if you do have leftovers, let them cool completely and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, I recommend popping them in a toaster oven or a regular oven at around 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes to help crisp them up again. Microwaving tends to make them a bit soggy, and we don’t want that!

Can I make the hot honey glaze ahead of time?

Yes, you totally can make the glaze ahead! Just prepare it as directed and let it cool completely. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to use it, you might need to gently warm it up on the stovetop or in the microwave for a few seconds to make it more pourable and easier to toss with the chicken. This saves you a step when you’re ready to serve!

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

Just a heads-up, these numbers are estimates, okay? They can totally change depending on the exact ingredients you use and, of course, how big of a serving you snag! But as a general idea, one serving of these irresistible hot honey chicken tenders will typically run you about 450 calories. You’re looking at around 25g of fat, a hefty 25g of protein, and about 30g of carbohydrates, with roughly 20g being sugar. Enjoy every bite!

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Author: faironplay.com
Total Time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Crispy chicken tenders coated in a sweet and spicy hot honey glaze.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenders
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
2 large eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup vegetable oil, for frying
1/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons hot sauce
1 tablespoon butter

Instructions

In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, pepper, and paprika.
In another shallow dish, whisk eggs and milk.
In a third shallow dish, place panko breadcrumbs.
Dredge each chicken tender first in the flour mixture, then in the egg mixture, and finally in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing to coat.
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Fry chicken tenders for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels.
In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in honey and hot sauce. Cook for 1 minute, until combined.
Toss the fried chicken tenders in the hot honey glaze until evenly coated.
Serve immediately.

Notes

For extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the flour mixture.
Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.

Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Category: Main Course
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4 oz
Calories: 450
Sugar: 20g
Sodium: 600mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 20g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 100mg

Keywords: hot honey chicken tenders, spicy chicken, sweet chicken, crispy chicken, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner