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The Ultimate Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

A stack of crispy, golden hot honey chicken tenders generously drizzled with a thick, shiny, reddish-brown glaze.
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Make incredibly crispy chicken tenders with a perfectly balanced sweet and spicy homemade hot honey glaze. This recipe delivers juicy chicken inside a shatteringly crisp coating, ideal for a weeknight dinner or game day snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • Cooking spray or 1/2 cup neutral oil for shallow frying
  • For the Hot Honey Glaze:
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce (use your favorite brand)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken strips in a medium bowl.
  2. Set up the dredging station: In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. In a second shallow dish, whisk the eggs and milk together. In a third shallow dish, place the panko breadcrumbs.
  3. Dredge the chicken: Take one chicken strip at a time. First, coat it completely in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Second, dip it into the egg wash. Third, press it firmly into the panko breadcrumbs to ensure a thick, even coating. Place the coated tenders on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
  4. Cook the tenders (Choose your method):
  5. For Baking: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the coated tenders with cooking spray. Bake for 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F).
  6. For Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Lightly spray the tenders with cooking spray. Cook in a single layer (work in batches if needed) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp.
  7. Make the hot honey glaze: While the chicken cooks, combine the honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring until the mixture is smooth and just begins to simmer. Remove from heat immediately.
  8. Glaze the chicken: Once the tenders are cooked, place them in a large bowl. Pour the hot honey glaze over the tenders and toss gently until every piece is evenly coated.
  9. Serve immediately for the best crunch.

Notes

  • For extra crispiness when baking or air frying, let the coated tenders rest in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before cooking.
  • If you prefer a thicker glaze, simmer the sauce for an extra minute or two until it reduces slightly.
  • Serve these as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a satisfying weeknight chicken dinner.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://bringdish.com/hot-honey-chicken-tenders-crispy-recipe/