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
Scale
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.
