If you’re craving a snack that brings together the perfect balance of heat, sweetness, and irresistible crunch, then look no further than this Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders That Will Make You Swoon Recipe. These tenders are golden-fried to perfection, boasting a delightfully crispy exterior that gives way to tender, juicy chicken inside. The luscious drizzle of hot honey adds a fiery kick with a touch of sweet goodness, making every bite a delectable experience that’s hard to forget. Whether you’re serving them up for a casual dinner or impressing friends at a gathering, this recipe is guaranteed to win over hearts and taste buds alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of these chicken tenders comes from a handful of simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that work together to create an extraordinary flavor and texture combo. Each ingredient plays a crucial role, whether it’s building that crispy coating, adding savory depth, or bringing that signature hot honey glaze to life.
- 1.5 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: The perfect base for tender, juicy chicken tenders, easy to slice and cook evenly.
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour: Creates the foundational coating that gets crispy when fried; gluten-free flour works well too if you prefer.
- 0.5 cup Cornstarch: Boosts the crispiness to next-level crunch, a little trick that makes all the difference.
- 2 large Eggs: Acts as the adhesive to hold the coating onto the chicken; substitutes like flax egg or aquafaba are great for egg-free diets.
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder: Adds a savory punch; fresh garlic can be swapped in if you want a bolder profile.
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika: Gives a gentle smoky warmth; regular paprika can be used if that’s what you have.
- Salt and Pepper to taste: Essential to season the chicken and bring out all the flavors beautifully.
- 0.5 cup Hot Honey: The star finishing touch that infuses each tender with sweet heat—the amount can be tailored to your spice level.
- 0.5 inches Canola or Vegetable Oil: Perfect for frying to crisp perfection; peanut oil is a fantastic flavorful alternative.
How to Make Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders That Will Make You Swoon Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by patting your chicken breasts dry with paper towels to ensure the coating sticks well. Slice them into 1-inch wide strips—this size cooks quickly and evenly while staying juicy inside every time.
Step 2: Set Up Your Dredging Station
Create two bowls: one with the beaten eggs and the other with the dry mix made from flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. This setup makes it easy to coat each tender thoroughly, ensuring that iconic crispy crust.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken Tenders
Dip each strip into the egg wash first so the flour mixture can cling properly. Then, generously cover the tenders in the flour mixture. Make sure each piece is evenly coated for that crunchy finish.
Step 4: Heat the Oil
Pour about half an inch of canola or vegetable oil into a large skillet and heat over medium until shimmering and hovering around 350°F. Using the right temperature is key—it crisps without soaking up excess oil.
Step 5: Fry to Golden Perfection
Place your chicken strips gently into the hot oil in a single layer. Fry for 4-5 minutes per side until they’re golden brown with a crispy crust and reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Avoid overcrowding the pan to keep the oil temperature stable.
Step 6: Drain and Drizzle with Hot Honey
Transfer the fried tenders to paper towels to soak up any excess oil. While they’re still warm, drizzle the hot honey over them generously. This warm glaze is what transforms the dish into the Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders That Will Make You Swoon Recipe you’ll want to make again and again.
How to Serve Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders That Will Make You Swoon Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like chopped parsley or cilantro add a lovely pop of color and freshness that balances the heat. Sliced green onions or a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds offer extra texture and a subtle flavor boost, making your tenders even more inviting.
Side Dishes
These chicken tenders pair wonderfully with crisp, refreshing sides such as a simple cabbage slaw or crisp romaine salad. For more indulgent options, creamy mashed potatoes or crunchy fries provide a satisfying contrast to the sweet and spicy tenders.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these beauties on a wooden platter lined with parchment paper for a laid-back vibe, or stack them in a basket with paper liners for a fun, casual meal. For parties, turn them into finger food by serving with individual dipping bowls of extra hot honey, ranch, or blue cheese dressing to please every craving.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store any leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the hot honey drizzle separate if you want to keep the crust extra crisp and add it fresh when reheating.
Freezing
These tenders freeze beautifully! Arrange them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months, making meal prep a breeze for busy days.
Reheating
To revive their crispiness, reheat frozen or refrigerated tenders in a preheated oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes until warmed through. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep that coveted crunch intact.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs tend to be juicier and more forgiving, though the cooking time may be a bit longer due to their thickness. Just slice them into similar-sized strips for even cooking.
How spicy is the hot honey?
The heat level depends on the brand and your portion size. You can always adjust by using more or less hot honey according to your taste. For a milder version, drizzle with regular honey and a pinch of chili powder separately.
Is it possible to bake these tenders instead of frying?
Yes! Coat the tenders as directed, then bake on a greased wire rack over a baking sheet at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway. While baking results in less oil, the tenders won’t be quite as crunchy as frying.
Can I make the hot honey from scratch?
Of course! Simply warm honey gently with your favorite hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper until well combined. This allows you to control sweetness and heat precisely.
What dipping sauces go well with these tenders?
Aside from the hot honey glaze, ranch, blue cheese, garlic aioli, or even a tangy BBQ sauce complement these tenders beautifully, offering extra layers of flavor and creaminess to balance the spice.
Final Thoughts
There’s something undeniably joyful about biting into the Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders That Will Make You Swoon Recipe — crunchy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside, with that perfect sweet and spicy glaze finishing each piece. Once you try this recipe, it’s bound to become a favorite for casual weeknights, game days, or anytime you need a little comfort food with a kick. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and make these tenders that are truly worth swooning over!
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Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders That Will Make You Swoon Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders combine perfectly seasoned, golden-fried chicken strips with a spicy-sweet hot honey drizzle that creates an irresistible contrast of flavors and textures, making them a delicious snack or meal that everyone will swoon over.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1.5 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (Use 3–4 breasts for tender and juicy tenders.)
Dredging Mixture
- 1 cup All-Purpose Flour (Can substitute with gluten-free flour.)
- 0.5 cup Cornstarch (Enhances the crispiness.)
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder (Fresh garlic can be used as a substitute.)
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika (Regular paprika can work in a pinch.)
- to taste Salt (Essential for seasoning.)
- to taste Pepper (Essential for seasoning.)
Egg Wash
- 2 large Eggs (Can use a flax egg or aquafaba for an egg-free version.)
Other
- 0.5 cup Hot Honey (Adjust according to your heat preference.)
- 0.5 inches Canola or Vegetable Oil (Peanut oil can add flavor.)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Then slice the chicken into strips about 1 inch wide for even cooking and crispy texture.
- Set up Dredging Station: In one bowl, beat the eggs thoroughly. In another bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. This flour mixture will season and add crunch to the chicken.
- Coat the Chicken Strips: Dunk each chicken strip first into the beaten egg wash to moisten, then thoroughly coat them in the flour mixture to ensure a crisp, flavorful crust after frying.
- Heat the Oil: Pour about 0.5 inches of canola or vegetable oil into a large skillet and heat over medium heat until the oil shimmers and reaches approximately 350°F, which is ideal for frying the tenders to golden perfection.
- Fry the Chicken: Carefully add the coated chicken strips in a single layer to the hot oil. Fry for 4-5 minutes on each side until they develop a golden brown crust and are cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Drain and Drizzle: Remove fried chicken tenders and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. While still warm, drizzle generously with hot honey to combine spicy heat with sweet flavor, enhancing the crispy tenders.
Notes
- Use gluten-free flour as a substitute if you require a gluten-free version.
- For an egg-free version, substitute eggs with flax egg or aquafaba.
- Adjust the amount of hot honey to control the heat level according to your taste preference.
- Ensure oil temperature stays steady around 350°F to get perfectly crispy chicken without greasiness.
- Peanut oil can be used in place of canola or vegetable oil to add a subtle nutty flavor.
