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Crispiest Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

These are the crispiest hot honey chicken tenders glazed in a butter-free, sweet and spicy sauce and coated in a crunchy breading. Make them in your air fryer or oven without oil for an easy appetizer or weeknight dinner. Easily make them gluten-free!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 5 servings
Calories: 314 kcal
Course: Appetizer , Lunch , Dinner
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 1.5 pounds chicken tenders (10 - 12 pieces) or 3 chicken breasts cut into tenders
  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour regular or gluten-free if needed
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ⅓ - ½ cup hot honey I love Mike’s or make homemade (instrucitons in recipe notes)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 425°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Or preheat your air fryer to 380°F.
  2. In a small shallow bowl add the flour. In a second shallow bowl, whisk the eggs. In a third shallow bowl, add the panko, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
  3. Trim off all fat and tendons from chicken tenders. Or, if using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut them into 1-inch thick strips. Then, pat them dry with a paper towel.
  4. Working one at a time, dip a chicken tender into flour, make sure to coat it, and then shake off excess flour. Then, dip it into the eggs, and then finally into panko breadcrumbs. Use your hands to coat the chicken with the panko, so it is fully covered.
  5. Repeat step 4 with the rest of the tenders.
  6. Oven: Place the breaded chicken tenders onto the parchment-lined baking sheet and lightly spray with cooking spray. Bake for 10 - 14 minutes, until golden, crispy, and the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F.
  7. Air Fryer: Place the breaded chicken tenders into the preheated air fryer basket and lightly spray with cooking spray. Air fry at 380°F for 8 - 11 minutes, until golden, crispy, and the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F.
  8. Meanwhile, heat the hot honey in a microwave-safe dish for 20 - 30 seconds. When chicken is done cooking drizzle or coat the tenders in the warmed hot honey and enjoy!

Notes

  • Homemade Hot Honey: Simply heat ½ cup of honey with 1 – 3 teaspoons of red chili flakes in a small sauce pot on medium-low or in the microwave for 20 – 30 seconds. If you are heating it on the stove, whisk continuously for 1 – 2 minutes until the sauce is formed, and make sure not to burn the honey.
  • Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free all-purpose flour and gluten-free panko.
  • Storing: Store leftovers in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I recommend storing leftovers without the hot honey. When you are ready to enjoy, heat the hot honey separately and glaze the chicken tenders.
  • Reheating: For best results, reheat unglazed chicken tenders in your air fryer at 350°F for 3 – 5 minutes or in your oven or toaster oven at 350°F for 5 – 8 minutes. Avoid the microwave because they will get soggy. Heat the hot honey separately and glaze after the chicken is warmed.

Nutrition Information

Calories 314kcal (16%) Carbohydrates 26g (9%) Protein 26g (52%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 3g Cholesterol 104mg (35%) Sodium 434mg (18%) Potassium 288mg (8%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 12g (24%) Vitamin A 173IU (3%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 42mg (4%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 5servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 314

% Daily Value*

Calories 314kcal 16%
Carbohydrates 26g 9%
Protein 26g 52%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 104mg 35%
Sodium 434mg 18%
Potassium 288mg 6%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 12g 24%
Vitamin A 173IU 3%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 42mg 4%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.