Hot Honey Chicken Tenders (Print-Friendly Version)

Crispy chicken tenders glazed with sweet heat, delivering bold flavor for casual meals and gatherings.

# Ingredients:

→ Chicken Tenders

01 - 680 g chicken tenders
02 - 240 ml buttermilk
03 - 1 tsp garlic powder
04 - 1 tsp onion powder
05 - 1 tsp paprika

→ Breading

06 - 190 g all-purpose flour
07 - 60 g panko breadcrumbs
08 - 1 tsp salt
09 - 0.5 tsp ground black pepper

→ For Frying

10 - Vegetable oil, for deep frying

→ Hot Honey Glaze

11 - 120 ml honey
12 - 30–45 ml hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot or Sriracha)
13 - 14 g unsalted butter
14 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Combine chicken tenders, buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika in a bowl. Mix until the chicken is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for maximum flavor.
02 - In a separate shallow dish, mix flour, panko breadcrumbs, salt, and black pepper until combined.
03 - Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess liquid drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure a thorough, even coating.
04 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 175°C. Fry tenders in batches for 5–6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
05 - In a small saucepan over low heat, combine honey, hot sauce, butter, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir until butter melts and the glaze is smooth and glossy.
06 - Toss hot chicken tenders in the glaze or arrange on a platter and drizzle with glaze just before serving.

# Notes & Tips:

01 - For a baked alternative, arrange breaded chicken tenders on a parchment-lined tray, spray lightly with oil, and bake at 220°C for 20–25 minutes, flipping once midway through.
02 - To achieve smoky-sweet flavor, substitute maple syrup for honey in the glaze.
03 - Leftover tenders reheat best in a hot oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.