Oh, you guys are going to LOVE these Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders! Seriously, these have become my go-to for a weeknight dinner that feels super special, but is honestly a breeze to whip up. I’ve been making them for years, and my family just devours them every single time. They’re that perfect mix of sweet, a little bit spicy, and that irresistible garlicky, buttery goodness that just coats everything. The outside gets perfectly crispy, and the inside stays so juicy. If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing main dish that’s easy enough for a busy Tuesday but impressive enough for guests, this is it!
Why You’ll Love These Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
Trust me, these tenders are a total winner for so many reasons:
- Super Quick Prep: You can get these ready to bake in just about 15 minutes. Perfect for when you’re short on time!
- Incredible Flavor Bomb: That sweet honey, savory garlic, and a kick of spice? It’s a flavor combination that just can’t be beat.
- Crowd-Pleaser Guaranteed: Whether it’s picky eaters or adults, everyone always asks for seconds of these. They’re just that good!
- Perfectly Crispy & Juicy: The breading gets wonderfully crisp in the oven, while the chicken stays incredibly juicy.
Essential Ingredients for Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
Okay, let’s get down to what you’ll need to make these amazing Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders. First up, you’ll want about 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken tenders. Make sure they’re nice and clean! For the crispy coating, we’ve got 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon each of salt and black pepper, and a half teaspoon of paprika for a little color and depth. Then, for the wet stuff, grab 2 large eggs and a quarter cup of milk to get that breading to stick. And the star of the crispy coating? 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs – they give the best crunch, trust me! For that luscious sauce, you’ll need a half cup of unsalted butter, a quarter cup of honey, 3 cloves of garlic that you’ll mince up nice and fine, and about 1 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. You can totally add more or less of those flakes depending on how much heat you like!
Ingredient Notes and Smart Substitutions
So, about those ingredients! If you can’t find panko breadcrumbs, regular breadcrumbs will work in a pinch, but panko really gives you that superior crispiness. For the milk in the egg wash, you can totally use buttermilk if you have it – it adds a little extra tang. And for the spice, if you don’t have red pepper flakes, a pinch of cayenne pepper can work, but start small! You can also use fresh garlic that’s been grated instead of minced if you find mincing a bit fiddly; it disperses the flavor really well. Just make sure you use unsalted butter so you can control the saltiness of the final dish.
How to Prepare Delicious Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
Alright, let’s get these amazing Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders made! First things first, get your oven preheated to 400°F (that’s 200°C). While it’s heating up, grab a baking sheet and line it with some parchment paper. This makes cleanup a total breeze, which we all love, right?
Now, we need three shallow dishes. In the first one, mix your flour with the salt, pepper, and paprika. Give it a good stir. In the second dish, whisk up those 2 eggs with the 1/4 cup of milk. This is your egg wash! And in the third dish, just put your panko breadcrumbs.
Take each chicken tender, dredge it in the flour mixture first, making sure it’s coated nicely. Then, dip it into the egg wash, let any excess drip off, and finally, press it into the panko crumbs. Get those coated tenders onto your prepared baking sheet. Pop them into the oven and bake for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and cooked all the way through. You want them to look perfectly crispy!
While the chicken is doing its thing in the oven, let’s make that glorious sauce. Melt your butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Toss in the minced garlic and those red pepper flakes. Let it cook for just about a minute until it smells amazing – don’t let the garlic burn! Then, stir in the honey and let it bubble for another minute. Take it off the heat. Once your chicken tenders are baked, just toss them right into that warm sauce. Make sure every single tender gets coated in that yummy honey butter garlic goodness. Garnish with some fresh parsley if you’re feeling fancy, and dinner is served!
Achieving Crispy Perfection
For tenders that are extra, extra crispy, don’t be afraid to double-coat them! After you do the first dip in flour, egg, and panko, just repeat the egg and panko steps. It makes a world of difference!
Customizing Your Heat Level
This recipe is so forgiving with the spice! If you love things really hot, go ahead and add more red pepper flakes. If you prefer just a tiny hint of warmth, start with less. You can always add more later, but you can’t take it away!
Equipment You’ll Need for Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
You don’t need a ton of fancy gadgets for these Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders, but a few things will make your life so much easier. You’ll definitely want a couple of baking sheets – I usually use two so I don’t overcrowd the chicken. Parchment paper is a lifesaver for easy cleanup, so grab some of that! You’ll also need three shallow dishes or pie plates for dredging the chicken – one for the flour, one for the egg wash, and one for the panko. And for that amazing sauce, a small saucepan and a whisk are essential.
Serving Suggestions for Your Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
These Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders are fantastic on their own, but they really shine when paired with some yummy sides! I love serving them with creamy mashed potatoes – the sauce just soaks right into them. Roasted broccoli or asparagus also makes a great, healthy addition. If you want something even simpler, a fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette cuts through the richness perfectly. Honestly, they’re so versatile, you can’t go wrong!
Storing and Reheating Leftover Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
Got leftovers? Lucky you! Store any leftover Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to reheat them, skip the microwave if you want that crispiness back. The oven or an air fryer works best! Just pop them back in a preheated oven at around 375°F (190°C) for a few minutes until they’re warmed through and nicely crisp again. They’ll taste almost as good as the first time!
Frequently Asked Questions About Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
Got questions about whipping up these Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders? I’ve got you covered! People often ask if they can prep these ahead of time, and yes, you totally can! You can get the chicken breaded and ready on the baking sheet, cover it, and keep it in the fridge for a few hours before baking. Or, you can toss them in the sauce right before serving if you’re making them for a party and want them fresh out of the oven. Another common question is about alternatives to baking. While baking is my favorite way to keep them healthier and less messy, you could definitely pan-fry them in some oil until golden brown and cooked through before tossing them in the sauce! And yes, the sauce can absolutely be made ahead of time and just gently reheated on the stove before tossing with the chicken.
Can I Make Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders Ahead of Time?
You can definitely prep the chicken tenders by breading them and keeping them on the baking sheet covered in the fridge for a few hours before you plan to bake them. The sauce can also be made a day in advance and gently reheated.
What’s the Best Way to Reheat These Tenders?
To keep these Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders nice and crispy, I highly recommend reheating them in the oven or an air fryer. Pop them on a baking sheet at around 375°F (190°C) for about 5-7 minutes, or until they’re warmed through and crispy again. Avoid the microwave if you can, as it tends to make them a bit soggy!
Estimated Nutritional Information for Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
Just a friendly reminder that the nutritional values for these Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders are estimates. They can totally change depending on the specific brands you use, the exact measurements you go with, and how you prepare them. It’s always good to keep that in mind!
Amazing Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders are a delicious and easy-to-make dish. These tenders are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, coated in a sweet and spicy honey butter garlic sauce.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken tenders
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- 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 into the egg mixture, and finally coat with panko breadcrumbs. Place coated tenders on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- While the chicken is baking, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in honey and cook for another minute. Remove from heat.
- Once the chicken is cooked, toss the tenders in the honey butter garlic sauce.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- For extra crispy tenders, you can double-coat them in the breadcrumbs.
- Adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to control the spice level.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking and Pan-Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: Spicy Honey Butter Garlic Chicken Tenders, chicken tenders, honey garlic chicken, spicy chicken, easy chicken recipe, baked chicken