Growing up, I always missed going to my grandma’s house to eat the delicious food she made. This recipe reminded me of her kitchen, which always smelled like something sizzling in oil. A warm plate of crispy Honey Hot Chicken Tenders was always waiting on the counter for me and my younger brother.
Ahh! The times have changed, but I am proud to follow in her footsteps whenever I make these Honey Hot Chicken Tenders in the kitchen. I remember she never called these tenders, but instead, they were called ‘spicy fried gold,’ and while she never followed any particular recipe, she somehow nailed it every single time.
Now, every time I fry up a batch, drizzle on that sweet-and-spicy glaze, and hear that same golden crunch, I feel like she’s right there with me, still cooking, still smiling, and still making the best chicken tenders the world has ever known.
For my grandma’s amazing recipe, check out the details provided. Also, I have mentioned some expert tips you can follow to achieve the perfect crunch.
Equipment Required
- Skillet: I am using a large skillet to fry the chicken tenders.
- Perforated Ladle: I use a perforated ladle to drain the excess oil while frying.
- Mixing Bowls: Use a large bowl to coat the chicken tenders with dry rub, and use small bowls for the dry rubs and sauces.
- Tongs: I prefer using tongs to dunk the chicken tenders into the sauce.
- Wire Rack: Remove the chicken tenders after frying and place them on a wire rack.
- Serving Plate: Serve the chicken tenders warm and crispy on your choice of serving dish.
Honey Hot Chicken Tenders Ingredients & Substitutions
Note: This recipe serves two portions. If you want to make more or less, you must adjust the recipe accordingly.
- 300 g Chicken Mini Fillets (10.5 oz chicken tenderloins)
- 3 Teaspoons Paprika
- 1 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- 1 Large Egg
- 60 g Cornflakes crushed (2 cups crushed cornflakes)
- Oil: Use any vegetable or canola oil for frying the chicken.
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
- 4 Tablespoons Honey (¼ cup honey)
- 4 Teaspoons Dark Soy Sauce
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 3 Teaspoons Hot Sauce
Preparation And Cooking Time
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Minutes | 20 Minutes | 25 Minutes |
How To Make Honey Hot Chicken Tenders At Home
Step 1
Take the chicken tenders in a bowl and add cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika, and coat them evenly.
Step 2
Now dunk the chicken tenders in eggwash and coat them well with cornflakes.
Step 3
Place all the coated chicken tenders on a wire rack.
Step 4
Further, take a pan, add hot sauce and honey to it.
Step 5
Now, add the chopped garlic and soy sauce, and mix well.
Step 6
Fry the chicken tenders in a preheated pan filled with oil.
Step 7
Moving forward, dunk the fried chicken tenders in the sauce.
Step 8
Coat all the chicken tenders evenly with the sauce.
Step 9
Serve the juicy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders with creamy ranch dressing or any other dip of your choice.
Expert Tips That I Recommend
- Let the chicken tenders sit in the seasoned flour for a while to develop rich flavors. Also, to achieve a crispy texture, you can double-dredge the tenders in seasoned flour.
- I also ensure the oil temperature stays between 325°F and 350°F because if it drops, the tenders will turn out soggy.
- I suggest frying the tenders in batches to avoid uneven cooking.
- To drain excess oil, remove the fried chicken from a wire rack, not paper towels. A wire rack will allow the air circulation and keep the tenders crisp.
- Moving on, I would suggest you brush the honey sauce on lightly rather than dunking the tenders into it. This helps the crust remain crispy for longer.
FAQs About Honey Hot Chicken Tenders
Nutritional Information Per Serving
Honey Hot Chicken Tenders can be moderately healthy when enjoyed in balance. They are a good source of protein, but their overall healthiness depends on how they are prepared. Baking or air-frying the tenders keeps the fat content lower, while deep-frying increases calories and saturated fats.
Check out the nutritional information as per the servings below.
| Calories | 184 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 41 g |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Fat | 2 g |
| Saturated Fat | 1 g |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4 g |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1 g |
| Trans Fat | 0.01 g |
| Cholesterol | 55 mg |
| Sodium | 274 mg |
| Potassium | 106 mg |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 25 g |
| Vitamin A | 875 IU |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Calcium | 16 mg |
| Iron | 6 mg |
This recipe for honey hot chicken tenders is also easily adaptable to different dietary preferences and needs. You can swap traditional soy sauce for gluten-free alternatives and use sugar-free honey alternatives for lower sugar.
Recipe Variation For Different Diets
- Gluten-Free: For the coating mix, ensure to use a gluten-free flour or cornstarch. Moreover, swap the soy sauce with coconut aminos or tamari.
- Keto-Friendly: To make the low-carb version, I often replace the regular flour with almond flour and a totally sugar-free honey alternative.
Storing and Reheating The Recipe
Storing
- Airtight Container: I suggest letting the chicken tenders cool, then storing them in an airtight container for a few hours. Avoid storing them for too long, as they can become soggy.
- Refrigerator: If you wish to store the chicken tenders in the fridge, let them come to room temperature, then refrigerate for up to a day or two.
Reheating
- Oven: Preheat the oven, and reheat the tenders for about 10-12 minutes in the oven.
- Air-Fryer: To reheat the air fryer, I suggest preheating it to 375°F and placing the tenders to reheat them evenly. You can also spray the oil on top of it to prevent it from turning soggy.
- Microwave: Whenever I am in a hurry, I microwave the chicken tenders for just a minute. If you reheat for more than a minute, it softens the crust.
What To Serve With This Recipe
- Dips & Sauces: The chicken tenders pair best with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, Marinara Sauce, BBQ Sauce, and KFC Secret Sauce.
- Coleslaw: For a crunchy and refreshing pairing, I often serve the chicken tenders with fresh Coleslaw. It is one of the classic combinations you must try.
- Fries: Chicken Tenders go well with fries. You can try Sweet Potato Fries, French Fries, or even Zucchini Fries.
- Iced Tea: For a refreshing punch, you can pair the tenders with your choice of Iced Tea. It helps to cool you down after that spicy bite.
Printable Version
Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe
Ingredients
- 300 g Chicken Mini Fillets 10.5 oz chicken tenderloins
- 3 Teaspoons Paprika
- 1 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- 1 Large Egg
- 60 g Cornflakes crushed
- Oil
For the Hot Honey Sauce
- 4 Tablespoons Honey
- 4 Teaspoons Dark Soy Sauce
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 3 Teaspoons Hot Sauce
Equipment
- Skillet
- Perforated Ladle
- Large Bowl
- Tong
- Wire Rack
- Serving Plate
Instructions
- Take the chicken tenders in a bowl and add cayenne pepper, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika, and coat them evenly.
- Now dunk the chicken tenders in eggwash and coat them well with cornflakes.
- Place all the coated chicken tenders on a wire rack.
- Further, take a pan, add hot sauce and honey to it.
- Now, add the chopped garlic and soy sauce, and mix well.
- Fry the chicken tenders in a preheated pan filled with oil.
- Moving forward, dunk the fried chicken tenders in the sauce.
- Coat all the chicken tenders evenly with the sauce.
- Serve the juicy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders with creamy ranch dressing or any other dip of your choice.
Notes
- Let the chicken tenders sit in the seasoned flour for sometime to develop intense flavprs. Also to achieve crispy texture of the tenders, you can double dredge the tenders in the seasoned flour.
- I also ensure to keep the oil temperature between 325°F–350°F because if it drops the tenders will turn out soggy.
- I suggest frying the tenders in batches, as frying too many pieces in one go leads to uneven cooking.
- To drain excess oil, remove the fried chicken on a wire rack not paper towels. A wire rack will allow the air circulation and keeps the tenders crisp.
- Moving on, I would suggest you brush the honey sauce slightly rather than dunking the tenders into the sauce. This helps the crust remain crispy for longer.
Nutrition
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Conclusion
Honey Hot Chicken Tenders are a must-try, offering the perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. The flavors and quick preparation process of this recipe make it the best option for weeknight dinners, game-day snacks, or casual gatherings.
Follow the detailed recipe above and let us know how it goes in the comments below.
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