Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe

Introduction

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders are a perfect balance of sweet and spicy with a crispy, flavorful coating. This easy recipe transforms simple chicken tenderloins into a tasty treat that’s sure to please the whole family.

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

1. Step 1: Pour buttermilk over chicken tenderloins and stir to coat. Let it sit in the refrigerator while you prepare the coating and honey mixture.
2. Step 2: In a shallow dish, mix the flour, paprika, salt, and black pepper until combined.
3. Step 3: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes. Adjust the heat level by adding more or less hot sauce and red pepper flakes to taste. Set aside.
4. Step 4: Remove the chicken from the buttermilk and coat each piece thoroughly with the flour mixture. Repeat until all tenderloins are coated.
5. Step 5: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken tenders in a single layer, making sure pieces don’t touch. Cook for 3–4 minutes on one side, then flip and cook another 4–5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165˚F. Remove cooked chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Tip: Lower the heat to medium-low if the outside is browning too quickly before the inside cooks through.
6. Step 6: Repeat cooking in batches until all chicken is done, adding more oil if needed. Arrange chicken on a platter and drizzle hot honey over each piece. Alternatively, serve the hot honey separately for guests to add as desired.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crunch, double coat the chicken by dipping coated pieces back into the buttermilk and then again in the flour mixture before frying.
• Use smoked paprika for a deeper, smoky flavor.
• Adjust the level of heat by varying the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes to suit your taste.
• Try serving with a cooling ranch or blue cheese dip to balance the spice.

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 10 minutes to maintain their crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the coating soggy. Keep the hot honey sauce separate and drizzle over after reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Regular milk can be used in a pinch, but buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken and adds a slight tanginess, improving flavor and texture.

What oil is best for frying chicken tenders?

Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point like vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil to prevent burning and keep the chicken crisp.

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 121 reviews

These Hot Honey Chicken Tenders are crispy, juicy, and packed with a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors. Buttermilk-soaked chicken tenderloins are coated in a spiced flour mixture, pan-fried to golden perfection, and drizzled with a fiery hot honey glaze. This quick and easy stovetop recipe makes an irresistible appetizer or main dish that’s sure to satisfy your craving for sweet heat.

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

Ingredients

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Chicken and Marinade

• 2½ pounds chicken tenderloins
• 1 cup buttermilk

Coating

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

Cooking and Glaze

• ¼ cup oil (your preferred cooking oil, plus more as needed)
• ¼ cup honey
• 1½ teaspoon hot sauce
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken: Pour the buttermilk over the chicken tenderloins in a bowl and stir to coat them evenly. Cover and refrigerate while preparing the coating and honey glaze, allowing the chicken to absorb moisture and tenderness from the buttermilk.
2. Prepare the Coating: In a shallow dish, combine the flour, paprika, salt, and ground black pepper. Mix thoroughly to create a seasoned flour mixture for dredging the chicken.
3. Make the Hot Honey Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes. Adjust the amount of hot sauce and pepper flakes to your preferred level of spiciness. Set the glaze aside.
4. Coat the Chicken: Remove each chicken tenderloin from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Liberally coat each piece on all sides with the flour mixture. Repeat this process until all chicken tenderloins are fully coated.
5. Heat the Oil: Add ¼ cup of your preferred cooking oil to a large skillet and heat it over medium heat until hot but not smoking.
6. Cook the Chicken Tenders: Place chicken tenders in a single layer in the skillet, without overcrowding or letting pieces touch. Cook for 3-4 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165˚F and the chicken is golden brown. If needed, reduce heat to medium-low to ensure even cooking without burning.
7. Drain Excess Oil: Remove cooked chicken tenders and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
8. Repeat Cooking: Continue cooking remaining chicken tenders in batches, adding more oil to the skillet if dry spots appear. Maintain consistent heat throughout.
9. Serve: Arrange the cooked chicken tenders on a platter and drizzle the prepared hot honey glaze over each piece. Optionally, serve additional hot honey glaze on the side for guests to add as desired.

Notes

• Make sure the oil is hot enough before adding chicken to get a crispy exterior; test by dropping a pinch of flour into the oil – it should sizzle immediately.
• Don’t overcrowd the skillet; cook in batches to maintain heat and achieve a crisp crust.
• Adjust the amount of hot sauce and red pepper flakes in the glaze to control spiciness according to your preference.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165˚F for safe consumption.
• Leftover chicken tendsers can be reheated in a skillet or oven to retain crispiness.

Keywords: Hot Honey Chicken Tenders, crispy chicken, spicy honey glaze, buttermilk chicken tenders, fried chicken, quick chicken recipe, American appetizer