Honey Hot Chicken Tenders

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If you're seeking for a quick and delicious protein-packed snack, you must try my Honey Hot Chicken Tenders! Crispy handmade chicken strips are drizzled with a sauce that is a little bit sweet, a little bit spicy, and a whole lotta delicious for a finger-lickin' excellent supper.

closeup shot of air fried hot honey chicken tenders on a white plate with sliced dill pickles and topped with fresh parsley as garnish.

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Why You’ll Love This Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe
Nutritional Deep Dive
Ingredients & Substitutions
How To Make Honey Hot Chicken Tenders
Optional Variations
Expert Tips
Serving Suggestions
Storage and Reheating Instructions
FAQs
More Air Fryer recipes you’ll love
Recipe
Honey Hot Chicken Tenders
💬 Comments

I don't know about you, but my air fryer is truly my obsession. I can make a variety of deliciously crispy goodies that taste naughty but are actually quite pleasant in a matter of minutes. You may think of my Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks, Crispy Frozen French Fries In The Air Fryer, and Air Fryer Cheesy Potato Wedges, but that's really only the beginning.

I use my handy little countertop device to pull out some genuinely delicious cuisine on days when I'm seeking quick food that will temporarily lift my spirits before making me regret it for hours. And so these hot honey chicken tenders were born, my friends.

I was captivated by Popeye's hot honey chicken from the first bite after a buddy introduced me to it. A sticky sweet-and-spicy sauce poured over crispy fried chicken? Sign me up! Apart from the whole "big-chain fast-food actually fried" element, that is. With this really easy do-it-yourself project, you can indulge yourself guilt-free.

Are you looking for more ideas for healthy crispy chicken? Try my Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks, Truly Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Wings and Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs next!

round white dinner plate topped with a crumpled piece of white parchment paper with honey hot chicken tenders drizzled with hot honey sauce, sprinkled with parsley, and served with sliced dill pickles with extra sauce and extra pickle slices in small bowls in the top and bottom of the frame.

Why You’ll Love This Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe

All-natural: As much as I love the occasional fast food treat, I don't particularly appreciate all the "extras" they use, such as artificial coloring, emulsifiers, and preservatives. I couldn't even locate the ingredient list for the Popeye! Fortunately, you have complete control over the ingredients when you prepare your own spicy sweet chicken tenders. I only use items that I can actually pronounce!
Adaptable & Adaptable: These delicious tiny tenders are perfect for when you're craving a complete meal or just a snack. Depending on your desires, you can serve them by themselves, with some dishes, or wrapped in a tortilla. Moreover, you may adjust their level of spice to suit your own taste!
Healthy Indulgence: Although they may taste like a cheat day treat, these small treats are actually rather healthy. In addition to being high in protein and, as I already stated, natural, air-frying reduces fat. What more could you ask for?

45 degree angle of a plate with crispy air fried chicken tenders drizzled in hot honey sauce and served with a side of sliced pickles.

Nutritional Deep Dive

These spicy honey chicken tenders have 497 calories per serving, so they could easily be eaten as a meal. They also include an impressive 47 grams of protein, which is more than enough to keep you full for hours. Additionally, you have some leeway to include delicious toppings like french fries or a creamy dipping sauce because each dish only has 9 grams of fat.

With 57 grams of carbohydrates per serving and no fiber, this is the one item to watch. Granted, this is presuming that you utilize all of the breading ingredients, which is practically impossible. Nevertheless, you have choices:

Reduce the amount of sauce to cut down on calories. To avoid the breading, you might also create an air fryer chicken tenderloins.
Use whole wheat Panko if you need more fiber, and serve it with other high-fiber dishes like roasted vegetables, brown rice, or a whole grain wrap.

Ingredient Highlight: Not many people would consider honey to be a health food. This liquid gold has been used for generations in holistic healing methods, and for good reason—you might be astonished at what it can offer! Antioxidants including flavonoids and phenolic acid, which are abundant in honey, have been linked to a decreased risk of heart disease and cancer, among other chronic illnesses. In addition, it has strong antibacterial and antimicrobial qualities, strong anti-inflammatory effects, and the ability to lower cholesterol and blood sugar. Yes, it is sweet!

Ingredients & Substitutions

As promised, this honey hot chicken tenders recipe requires minimal ingredients. In fact, I'm betting you already have most of what you need on hand! Here's what you can grab:

ingredients needed to make hot honey chicken tenders measured out into bowls and plates on a white tabletop.

Chicken Tenders or Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts - While you can buy pre-butchered chicken tenders, they are typically far more expensive than buying full breasts and chopping them yourself!
Large Eggs and Milk - While some recipes call for simply eggs, I like to thin my egg wash with milk and season it with spicy sauce, similar to the Southern buttermilk fried chicken approach.
Panko Breadcrumbs - These Japanese breadcrumbs are lighter and flakier than standard American breadcrumbs, so they crisp up considerably better.
All-Purpose Flour - Feel free to substitute cornstarch or potato starch as needed.
You are welcome to use any sort of honey or hot sauce. Certain types of honey (e.g., acacia) have substantially lower glycemic index values than others (e.g., clover), so keep that in mind if you're controlling your blood sugar. Also, I prefer a vinegar-based spicy sauce (such as Crystal or Cholula) to a thicker one like sriracha, but that's just my opinion.
Cayenne Pepper, Chili Powder, and Paprika - Using three different chili powders helps to enhance the spicy flavor we seek. Use hot Hungarian paprika for an extra spicy kick.
Garlic Powder and Onion Powder - To add allium sweetness that contrasts well with the spicy honey sauce.
Kosher salt and cracked black pepper - Because every meal requires fundamental seasoning.
Olive Oil Spray - Make your own spray bottle with your preferred olive oil; it's cheaper and less wasteful, and the lack of propellants means it won't ruin your air fryer basket's nonstick coating.

How To Make Honey Hot Chicken Tenders

You'll adore how easy it is to prepare these hot honey-glazed chicken strips:

Step 1: Prepare the hot honey sauce. In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the honey, spicy sauce, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, and salt. After about five minutes of warming, turn off the heat and let it steep while you prepare the chicken.

Step 2: Make the breadcrumb mixture. In a large bowl, combine the panko, flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Mix thoroughly.

Step 3: Make egg wash. The beaten egg, milk, spicy sauce, and the remaining salt and pepper should all be combined in a second large bowl. Mix with a whisk.

honey, hot sauce, and seasonings added to a small silver saucepan to make the spicy hot honey sauce.

breadcrumbs, flour, and seasonings added to a bowl to make the chicken breading mixture before stirring together.

whipped eggs in a bowl with milk, hot sauce, and seasoning added in the center of the frame and the breadcrumb mixture in a separate bowl in the top of the frame.

Step 4: Tenders for bread. Each chicken tender should be dipped first in the egg mixture and then in the panko mixture. To make the panko stick, press it on the outside. Place the chicken tenders that have been coated on a baking sheet. Apply olive oil spray to the chicken tenders.

raw chicken tender in the saffron yellow egg wash mix flavored with hot sauce.

dredging station set up with a single chicken tender that had already been dipped into the egg wash bowl at the top of the frame covered in the breadcrumb mixture in the middle of the frame with a plate of raw, naked tenders in the very bottom corner of the frame.

silver baking tray with 12 homemade breaded chicken tenders that have yet to be cooked.

Step 5: Air-fry the chicken tenders. The air fryer should be preheated to 390F. The chicken tenders should be arranged in a single layer with some space between them in the air fryer. Cook, turning halfway through, for 8 to 9 minutes. When the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit, it is done.

Step 6: Serve the chicken tenders after drizzling them with honey sauce. Have fun!

5 raw breaded chicken tenders in the base of an air fryer.

5 homemade spicy chicken tenders in the base of an air fryer.

action shot of homemade hot honey sauce being drizzled over spicy air fryer chicken tenders on a white plate.

Optional Variations

Do you need to make any changes? Boo, I got you! Here are some simple modifications to try:

Gluten-Free: Use your preferred gluten-free Panko or breadcrumbs and replace the AP flour with cornstarch, potato starch, or fine rice flour.
Dairy-Free: Use your preferred unsweetened dairy-free milk, such as soy or almond milk.
More/Less Spicy: Feel free to turn up the heat if you enjoy spicy food enough to set off a five-alarm fire bell. Choose an extra spicy hot sauce, add crushed red pepper flakes to your hot honey sauce, and try adding more cayenne to your dredging mix. Use less cayenne (or substitute a milder alternative, like as paprika) and choose a milder hot sauce to tone things down a bit.
Shortcut: Feel free to use one of the many readymade hot honey brands available on the market these days, albeit they are a little expensive—you've been warned!—to reduce the amount of preparation.
Various Sauce: Crispy air-fried chicken tenders taste great with both types of sauce. Instead, try Chipotle Cilantro Lime Ranch Dressing, honey mustard, Sweet And Spicy Honey Sriracha Sauce, Chik-fil-A-style Polynesian sauce, or barbecue!

pile of air fryer chicken tenders drizzled in homemade hot honey sauce and sprinkled with parsley, served with a side of sliced pickles in a small ramekin.

Expert Tips

Cut Your Own Tenders: Whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts are often at least $1 less expensive per pound than pre-sliced tenders. To make the chicken simpler to handle, first freeze it for ten to fifteen minutes before beginning to firm it up. Next, begin at the thickest side of the breast and cut through it horizontally, like you would with a hamburger bun. To make your own DIY tenders, pound the chicken cutlets until they are uniformly thick, then cut them into strips.
Steven, to ensure that none of the tenders are overcooked or dried out, make sure they are of the same thickness and cook them in a single, equal layer in the air fryer basket.
A Word on Liners: I completely appreciate the desire to make cleanup easier by using parchment paper or an air fryer liner, but be sure to do it correctly. Make sure there are enough holes for adequate ventilation and avoid blocking the vents!
Use a Thermometer: For chicken and other fowl to be deemed safe, their internal temperature must reach 165ºF. Purchase a high-quality instant-read thermometer to ensure that you reached this goal! Crossover frying while it rests should make up the difference, so feel free to remove it from the air fryer two to three degrees short of your desired temperature.
Save the Sauce: Don't add the sauce until just before serving to keep your honey buffalo chicken tenders crispy. To prevent the breading from becoming soggy, offer it on the side for dipping instead.

Serving Suggestions

These hot honey air fryer chicken tenders are so delicious that I enjoy eating them just that way. However, they also get along well with other people! My preferred methods for gussying things up are as follows:

Homemade Happy Meal: For a dipping combination that is hog heaven, serve your chicken strips with a dish of crispy french fries from the air fryer. Remember to pack a fun toy so you can play with it while reliving your childhood.
Wrap it Up: Incorporate these spicy air-fried chicken tenders into a tortilla along with lettuce, cheese, and extra hot honey sauce, taking a cue from McDonald's snack wrap strategy. Instead, try a high-protein cottage cheese flatbread or lettuce wraps for a lower-carb alternative.
Salad Surprise: Slice these hot honey chicken strips and sprinkle them on top of your favorite salad to give it a protein boost. They go especially well with this Italian Grinder Salad.
Veg Out: Add some color to your plate because chicken is a great source of protein. This Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli, Air Fryer Artichokes, and Air Fryer Roasted Baby Potatoes are all excellent choices.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Any remaining spicy chicken tenders from the air fryer should be allowed to cool fully on a wire rack, ideally without clothing and sauce, before being placed in a zip-top bag or an airtight container. Their breading will stay crispy as a result.
The sauce should keep much longer than five days in the refrigerator, but the tenders and sauce should be kept in different containers. Additionally, the tenders can be frozen for a maximum of three months.
To reheat, place the tenders in an air fryer set to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and heat for approximately 5 minutes (or closer to 7 or 8 minutes if frozen), or until they are heated to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

FAQs

What is honey chicken sauce made of?

I make mine using simply honey, spicy sauce, dry cayenne, chili powder, garlic powder, and salt, but it depends on the dish!

What goes well with hot honey chicken tenders?

You're most likely headed in the correct way if it's included on the menu at a fast food restaurant or establishment like TGI Fridays. Consider onion rings, tater tots, or french fries. Choose crisp vegetables, ideally tossed in a sweet and/or spicy garlicky sauce, for healthier options. For a ton of ideas, head over to the serving recommendations area!

How do you make chicken tenders that are juicy but fully cooked?

First, timing is crucial. Ideally, you would remove the tenders from the air fryer when their internal temperature reached 163ºF and allow them to rest for approximately five minutes beneath a loosely tented piece of foil. This would allow the transfer of cooking heat to raise the temperature to 165ºF.
Second, ensure that the pieces of chicken are evenly spaced; otherwise, the thinner portions will overcook and dry out before the thicker portions reach the 165ºF food-safe temperature.
Lastly, if you want your tenders to be extremely juicy, think about brining them for at least an hour or even up to 24 hours. You can use a basic solution of salt, sugar, and water, or you can get fancy with other flavors if you like. To ensure that everything sticks as intended, pat them dry before breading.

How do you make breaded chicken tenders that are crispy, not soggy?

My absolute favorite way to cook breaded chicken tenders is to air fry them because the hot air helps the breading crisp up. Use the rack attachment on your baking sheet if you don't have an air fryer and must use the oven. This will enable any juices to drop out and the hot air will crisp them all over.

If you tried this Honey Hot Chicken Tenders or any other recipe on my website, please feel free to leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the 📝 comments below. And remember to tag me on Instagram!