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Merry

Spicy & Sweet Hot Honey Chicken Tenders – A Must-Try Recipe!

Crispy, juicy, and packed with flavor, these Hot Honey Chicken Tenders are the perfect combination of sweet and spicy! Golden-fried chicken tenders are coated in a delicious homemade hot honey sauce, making every bite irresistible. Whether you're serving them as a party appetizer, a quick dinner, or a game-day snack, these tenders will have everyone coming back for more!
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Tenders:
  • 1 ½ lbs chicken tenders
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
For the Breading:
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper adjust to taste
For Frying:
  • 3 cups vegetable oil for frying
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
  • ½ cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce such as Frank’s RedHot
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch of salt
For Serving:
  • Ranch or blue cheese dressing
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Method
 

Marinate the Chicken:
  1. In a large bowl, mix buttermilk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper.
  2. Add chicken tenders, ensuring they are well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 8 hours for extra tenderness).
Prepare the Breading:
  1. In a shallow dish, combine flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper.
  2. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk and let excess liquid drip off.
  3. Dredge each chicken tender in the flour mixture, pressing to ensure an even coating.
Fry the Chicken:
  1. Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Fry chicken tenders in batches, cooking for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.
  3. Transfer to a wire rack to drain excess oil.
Make the Hot Honey Sauce:
  1. In a small saucepan, combine honey, hot sauce, butter, red pepper flakes, apple cider vinegar, and salt.
  2. Heat over low heat, stirring until butter is melted and the sauce is well-blended.
Coat the Chicken:
  1. Drizzle or brush the hot honey sauce over the fried chicken tenders.
  2. Toss to evenly coat for maximum flavor.
Serve and Enjoy:
  1. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
  2. Enjoy while hot and crispy!

Notes

  • Adjust the spice level by adding more or less cayenne pepper and hot sauce.
  • For a healthier version, bake or air fry the chicken tenders instead of deep frying.
  • Make ahead tip: Fry the tenders ahead of time and reheat in the oven before serving.
  • Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Reheating: Reheat in a 375°F oven for 10 minutes to maintain crispiness.

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