Introduction

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders are a perfect blend of crispy, spicy, and sweet flavors that will delight your taste buds. This easy-to-make dish is ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing appetizer. The spicy honey drizzle adds a unique kick that makes these tenders irresistible.

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2½ pounds chicken tenderloins
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup flour
2 tablespoons paprika
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ cup oil (plus more as needed, your preferred cooking oil)
¼ cup honey
1½ teaspoons hot sauce
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

Step 1: Pour the buttermilk over the chicken tenderloins and stir to coat thoroughly. Let the chicken sit in the refrigerator while preparing the coating mixture and the honey sauce.
Step 2: In a shallow dish, combine the flour, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to blend the spices into the flour.
Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes. Adjust the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes to your desired level of spiciness. Set this hot honey sauce aside.
Step 4: Remove the chicken from the buttermilk and coat each tenderloin liberally with the flour mixture on all sides. Repeat until all chicken tenders are fully coated.
Step 5: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken tenders in a single layer without overcrowding the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes, then flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is cooked through. Remove the tenders and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Tip: You may want to reduce the heat to medium-low to avoid overcooking the outside while the inside finishes cooking.
Step 6: Repeat the frying process with the remaining chicken, adding more oil as needed if the skillet becomes dry. Once all the chicken is cooked, arrange the tenders on a serving platter and drizzle the prepared hot honey sauce over each piece. Alternatively, serve the sauce on the side and let everyone drizzle their own.

Tips & Variations

For extra crunch, double dredge the chicken by dipping coated tenders back into the buttermilk and then into the flour mixture again before frying.
Switch up the spice by using smoked paprika or adding garlic powder to the flour mix.
Use a thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked perfectly to 165°F for safety and juiciness.
For a milder version, reduce or omit the hot sauce and red pepper flakes in the honey drizzle.

Storage

Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in an oven or air fryer at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes to maintain crispiness. The hot honey sauce can be stored separately in the fridge for up to 1 week and warmed slightly before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken and adds flavor, but if you don’t have it, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of regular milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.

What type of oil is best for frying these chicken tenders?

Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil for frying. These oils handle the heat well and won’t affect the flavor.

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 141 reviews

Crispy and flavorful Hot Honey Chicken Tenders featuring tender chicken coated in a spiced flour mixture, pan-fried to golden perfection, and drizzled with a sweet and spicy honey sauce for an irresistible balance of heat and sweetness.

Author: Ella
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Marinade

2½ pounds chicken tenderloins
1 cup buttermilk

Coating

1 cup flour
2 tablespoons paprika
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Cooking Oil

¼ cup oil (plus more as needed, your preferred cooking oil)

Hot Honey Sauce

¼ cup honey
1½ teaspoons hot sauce
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken: Pour buttermilk over chicken tenderloins in a bowl and stir to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate to allow the chicken to absorb the flavors while you prepare the coating and sauce.
Prepare the Flour Coating: Combine flour, paprika, salt, and ground black pepper in a shallow dish, mixing well to ensure the spices are evenly distributed for a flavorful crust.
Make the Hot Honey Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes. Adjust the level of spiciness by adding more hot sauce or red pepper flakes if desired. Set aside for drizzling later.
Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken tenderloins from the buttermilk. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the flour mixture, ensuring every side is coated. Repeat until all the chicken is fully covered with the seasoning blend.
Cook the Chicken: Heat ¼ cup oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Place chicken tenders in a single layer without crowding to prevent steaming. Cook for 3-4 minutes on the first side, then flip and cook for an additional 4-5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165˚F and the chicken is golden and cooked through. Adjust heat to medium-low if the exterior cooks too quickly.
Finish and Serve: Transfer cooked chicken tenders to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Repeat cooking with remaining chicken, adding more oil as needed. Arrange all tenders on a serving platter and generously drizzle the prepared hot honey sauce over them. Optionally, provide extra hot honey sauce so guests can add more to their liking.

Notes

Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F for safe consumption.
If preferred, adjust the heat level of the hot honey sauce by increasing or decreasing the hot sauce and red pepper flakes.
Use neutral cooking oils with high smoke points such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil for best frying results.
For extra crispiness, double dredge the chicken by dipping again in buttermilk and then flour mixture before frying.
Serve with dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese dressing to balance the spicy heat.

Keywords: Hot Honey Chicken Tenders, Spicy Chicken, Fried Chicken Tenders, Sweet and Spicy Chicken, Chicken Snack