Oh, honey, get ready for a flavor explosion! If you’re looking for an absolutely Irresistible Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe To Try Now, you’ve landed in the right spot. Seriously, these tenders have become my family’s go-to! There’s just something magical about that sweet heat – it hits all the right notes. Picture this: perfectly crispy chicken, coated in a glaze that’s both sticky-sweet and delightfully spicy. I first whipped these up as a surprise for game night, and let’s just say they disappeared faster than the commercials! They’re incredibly easy to make, and trust me, they’ll be a huge hit at your next get-together or even just a Tuesday night dinner.

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

You’re going to adore this recipe, trust me!

Super Speedy: They come together in under an hour, perfect for when you need a crowd-pleaser *fast*.
Flavor Bomb: That sweet *and* spicy combination? It’s just out of this world!
Crispy Perfection: We get that amazing crunch from the panko breadcrumbs.
Kid-Approved (and Adult-Approved!): Seriously, everyone devours these.
Versatile: Great for appetizers, main courses, or even packed for lunch.

Gather Your Ingredients for Irresistible Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to whip up these amazing tenders! It’s pretty straightforward, so don’t stress. First up, grab about 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken tenders – that’s the good stuff. For the coating, you’ll want 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of black pepper, plus 1 teaspoon of paprika and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder to get that flavor going. For the wet batter, we need 2 large eggs and 1/4 cup of milk. Then, for that irresistible crunch, get 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs. To fry them up golden brown, we’ll use about 1/2 cup of vegetable oil.

And now for the star of the show – that gorgeous hot honey glaze! You’ll need 1/2 cup of honey, 2 tablespoons of your favorite hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot is my go-to, but use what you love!), 1 tablespoon of butter for that extra richness, and just 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to cut through the sweetness a bit. I also like to have some homemade ketchup or chili garlic sauce handy for dipping, but that’s totally optional!

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

Alright, let’s get these delicious tenders rolling! This is where the magic happens, and it’s honestly way easier than you might think. First things first, get your dredging stations ready. I like to set up three shallow dishes side-by-side. In the first one, mix up your all-purpose flour with all those lovely spices: the salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Give it a good whisk so everything is nicely combined.

In the second dish, whisk up your eggs with that splash of milk. This is what’s going to help our breadcrumbs stick like glue! And in the third dish, for that ultimate crisp factor, pour in your panko breadcrumbs. Panko is key here, people! It gives you that super crunchy coating that just makes these tenders sing.

Now for the chicken! Take each tender and first give it a good roll in that seasoned flour mixture. Make sure it’s fully coated, then shake off any excess. Next, dunk it into that egg and milk dip. Let any extra drip off for a second. Finally, press that coated tender into the panko breadcrumbs. Really press it in there so you get a nice, even layer all over. My kids love helping with this part – it’s a fun way to get them involved in the kitchen! Remember, a good coating is key for that amazing crunch.

Time to get frying! Pour your vegetable oil into a nice big skillet – a cast iron one works wonders if you have it. We want it to be medium-high heat. You’ll know it’s ready when a tiny bit of flour sizzles right away when you drop it in. Carefully place your breaded chicken tenders into the hot oil. Don’t crowd the pan; give them some space! Fry them for about 3 to 4 minutes per side. You’re looking for that beautiful golden-brown color and, of course, to make sure they’re cooked all the way through. Once they’re done, pop them onto a wire rack set over a baking sheet – this keeps them extra crispy instead of steamy and sad. This method is way better than just piling them up!

While those lovely tenders are resting, let’s whip together that dreamy hot honey glaze. Grab a small saucepan and combine your honey, hot sauce, butter, and apple cider vinegar. Heat it all up over low heat on the stove. Just stir it gently until the butter has melted and everything is nicely blended together into a gorgeous, glossy sauce. It smells amazing, right? If you’re like me and love making things from scratch, you could even whip up some homemade wonton soup to go with it, though these tenders definitely shine on their own.

Now for the grand finale! Take your perfectly fried, crispy chicken tenders and toss them right into that warm hot honey glaze. Make sure every single tender gets coated in that sweet, spicy goodness. You can use tongs for this – they work great! Serve them up immediately while they’re still warm and that glaze is perfectly sticky. They’re fantastic on their own, but I sometimes like to serve them with stuff like loaded ranch burritos or maybe some homemade chicken noodle soup if it’s chilly, and if you’re feeling fancy, those air fryer baked potato wedges are a winner too!

Tips for Perfect Irresistible Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Okay, so you’ve got the recipe, but let me share a few little secrets to make these tenders absolutely *perfect* every single time. First off, oil temperature is your best friend here. Make sure it’s nice and hot, but not smoking! If it’s too cool, your chicken will get greasy instead of crispy. A good rule of thumb? A tiny piece of breadcrumb should sizzle enthusiastically when it hits the oil.

When you’re breading, really press that panko on there! Don’t be shy. A light coating will flake off; a well-pressed one sticks and gets super crunchy. And for that glorious glaze, don’t boil it! You just want to gently warm it through until everything is smooth and shiny. Overcooking the sauce can make it too thick or even burn the honey. Oh, and if you want even *more* spice, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper to your flour mix! You can also check out my spicy honey butter garlic chicken tenders for another flavor favorite!

Serving Suggestions for Your Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

These hot honey chicken tenders are so versatile! They’re fantastic on their own as an appetizer, but we love them as a main dish too. They pair beautifully with a fresh, crunchy side like my creamy ranch taco pasta salad or some simple, perfectly cooked garlicky green beans. A simple side of roasted potatoes or some fluffy rice also works wonders!

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Let your hot honey chicken tenders cool *completely* before you store them. Pop them into an airtight container and they’ll stay yummy in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat, the trick is to get them crispy again! My favorite way is to pop them in a toaster oven or a regular oven preheated to about 375°F (190°C) for 5-10 minutes. This really helps bring back that amazing crunch. You can toss them with a tiny bit more sauce if you like before reheating, but avoid microwaving them if you can – soggy tenders are nobody’s friend!

Frequently Asked Questions About Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are a few things folks often ask me about these irresistible tenders.

Can I bake these instead of frying?

You absolutely can! While frying gives you that unbeatable crispy texture, baking is a great lighter option. Just arrange your breaded tenders on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (like the ones for these fish tacos!) and bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked. Then, toss them with the warm hot honey glaze.

What kind of hot sauce is best for the glaze?

Honestly, use what you love! Frank’s RedHot is a classic for a reason and gives a nice, balanced heat and tang. However, Sriracha works too for a slightly different flavor, or a Louisiana-style hot sauce works great as well. Just stick to about 2 tablespoons, or adjust to your preferred spice level. It’s all about what makes your taste buds happy!

How spicy is this recipe?

This recipe has a really nice, balanced sweet and spicy kick. The 2 tablespoons of hot sauce give it a noticeable warmth without being overwhelming for most people. If you like it super spicy, definitely add a pinch of cayenne pepper to your flour mix or use a hotter hot sauce. If you’re sensitive to spice, you could start with just 1 tablespoon of hot sauce and see how you like it!

Can I make the hot honey glaze ahead of time?

Yes, you can totally make the glaze ahead! Just store it in an airtight container at room temperature (the honey and sugar content helps preserve it). When you’re ready to use it, gently warm it up over low heat on the stove or even in the microwave for a few seconds, just until it’s pourable again. It makes getting dinner on the table even quicker!

Nutritional Information (Estimated)

Just a heads-up, this is an estimate, and your actual numbers might change depending on exactly what you use and how big your servings are! For one serving (about 4 oz of tenders), you’re looking at roughly 550 calories, 25g of fat (mostly the good stuff!), 35g of protein, and about 40g of carbohydrates with 25g of that being sugar, primarily from that glorious hot honey glaze. It’s a pretty satisfying meal!

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Author: ferecipe.com
Total Time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

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

Ingredients

Scale

1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken tenders
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 large eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup vegetable oil, for frying
1/2 cup honey
2 tablespoons hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
In another shallow dish, whisk together eggs and milk.
In a third shallow dish, place panko breadcrumbs.
Dredge each chicken tender first in the flour mixture, then dip in the egg mixture, and finally coat with panko breadcrumbs. Press gently to adhere.
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 place on a wire rack.
In a small saucepan, combine honey, hot sauce, butter, and apple cider vinegar. Heat over low heat, stirring until butter is melted and sauce is combined.
Toss the fried chicken tenders in the hot honey sauce 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: 20 min
Category: Main Course
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4 oz
Calories: 550
Sugar: 25g
Sodium: 800mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 20g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 35g
Cholesterol: 150mg

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