Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe

Introduction

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders are a deliciously crispy and tender treat with a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors. This easy recipe uses an air fryer for a healthier, fuss-free way to enjoy this crowd-pleaser. Perfect for a snack or meal, these tenders will quickly become a favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast tenderloins
• 1 cup flour
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups panko bread crumbs
• 2 teaspoons salt (divided)
• 1 teaspoon pepper (divided)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ cup butter
• ¼ cup honey
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• ¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon cracked pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare three shallow dishes: In the first, combine flour, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and garlic powder. In the second, beat the eggs. In the third, mix panko breadcrumbs with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper.
2. Step 2: Coat each chicken tender by dipping first into the flour mixture, then the beaten eggs, and finally press into the panko mixture to ensure an even coating.
3. Step 3: Lightly spray each coated chicken tender with cooking spray to promote crispiness.
4. Step 4: Arrange the tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
5. Step 5: Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 4 minutes. Flip the tenders, spritz again with cooking spray, and continue air frying for another 4-5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden and crispy.
6. Step 6: For the hot honey sauce, combine butter, honey, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon cracked pepper in a small saucepan. Heat over low, stirring frequently, until the butter has melted and the sauce is well combined.
7. Step 7: Drizzle the hot honey sauce over the cooked chicken tenders or serve it on the side as a dipping sauce.

Tips & Variations

• Adjust the cayenne pepper in the sauce to control the heat level according to your preference.
• For an extra crispy texture, double-dip the chicken tenders by repeating the egg and panko steps.
• If you don’t have an air fryer, bake the tenders at 425°F (220°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• Add a squeeze of fresh lime or a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs like parsley for a bright finish.

Storage

Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the air fryer or oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 5-7 minutes to retain crispiness. The hot honey sauce can be warmed gently on the stove or in the microwave before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken tenders for this recipe?

Fresh chicken tenders work best for even cooking and crispiness, but you can use frozen tenders if fully thawed before breading and cooking.

Is this recipe spicy for kids?

The heat comes from cayenne pepper and smoked paprika in the sauce, which you can reduce or omit to make it milder and kid-friendly.

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe

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4.5 from 146 reviews

Crispy air-fried chicken tenders coated in a seasoned panko crust and drizzled with a spicy, sweet hot honey sauce, perfect for a flavorful and easy appetizer or main dish.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Halal

Ingredients

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For the Chicken Tenders

• 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast tenderloins
• 1 cup flour
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups panko bread crumbs
• 2 teaspoons salt (divided)
• 1 teaspoon pepper (divided)
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder

For the Hot Honey Sauce

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cracked pepper

Instructions

1. Prepare the Coating Mix: In a shallow dish, combine the flour with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and 1 teaspoon garlic powder. In a second shallow dish, beat the eggs thoroughly. In a third shallow dish, mix the panko breadcrumbs with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
2. Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken tenderloin first into the flour mixture, shaking off excess, then into the beaten eggs, and finally press into the panko mixture to ensure an even, thorough coating.
3. Prepare for Air Frying: Generously spray the coated chicken tenders with cooking spray to help crisp the coating during air frying.
4. Air Fry the Chicken: Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer in the basket of the air fryer. Depending on your air fryer’s size, you may need to cook in batches. Air fry at 400°F (204°C) for 4 minutes, then flip the tenders over, spritz again with cooking spray, and continue cooking for an additional 4 to 5 minutes until golden, crispy, and cooked through.
5. Make the Hot Honey Sauce: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the butter, honey, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and cracked pepper. Stir frequently until the butter melts and all ingredients are well combined into a smooth sauce.
6. Serve: Drizzle the hot honey sauce over the air-fried chicken tenders or serve the sauce on the side as a dip for maximum flavor enjoyment.

Notes

• You can adjust the cayenne pepper in the sauce according to your preferred spice level.
• For extra crispy tenders, be sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket.
• Use cooking spray or brush lightly with oil to help the breading crisp up nicely in the air fryer.
• Leftover chicken tenders can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the air fryer for best texture.
• Serve with a side of veggies or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Keywords: hot honey chicken tenders, air fryer chicken, crispy chicken tenders, spicy honey chicken, panko chicken, easy appetizer, sweet and spicy chicken