Forget bland, boring chicken. These delicious hot honey chicken tenders are about to become your new weeknight obsession, offering a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory with a delightful crispy exterior. They’re incredibly easy to make and guaranteed to disappear in minutes!
Get ready for incredibly tender chicken bathed in a sticky, sweet, and kicky hot honey glaze, with just enough char to make them irresistible.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Sweet, spicy, savory, with a hint of tang.
- Texture: Crispy on the outside, incredibly tender and juicy on the inside.
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
What You’ll Need
This recipe centers around tender chicken tenders, a vibrant marinade that tenderizes and flavors, and a luscious hot honey glaze that brings it all together. You’ll need basic pantry staples, fresh ingredients for the marinade, and of course, your favorite hot honey.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Tenders – Boneless, skinless chicken tenders are ideal for their quick cooking time and ease of handling. Look for evenly sized pieces for consistent results.
- Olive Oil – A good quality extra virgin olive oil will add a subtle fruity note to the marinade and help achieve a beautiful sear.
- Honey – This is the star of our glaze! Use a good quality honey for the best flavor.
- Hot Sauce – Your favorite hot sauce will provide the heat. Frank’s RedHot or Sriracha are popular choices for a balanced kick.
- Butter – Unsalted butter melts beautifully into the glaze, adding richness and a silky texture.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – A touch of vinegar adds a bright, tangy counterpoint to the sweetness of the honey.
- Garlic Powder – This provides a savory depth that complements the other flavors in the marinade and glaze.
- Salt and Pepper – Essential for bringing out and balancing all the flavors.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- For Extra Spice: If you love a serious kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the hot honey glaze or a dash more hot sauce.
- A Touch of Citrus: A squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice over the finished tenders can brighten the flavors.
- Herbaceous Notes: Finely chopped fresh parsley or chives make a lovely garnish and add a fresh counterpoint.
- Different Heat Source: If you don’t have your favorite hot sauce, you can use a bit of sriracha or even red pepper flakes for heat, adjusting to your preference.
How to Make Delicious Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
Get ready for a straightforward process that yields seriously impressive results. We’ll start by marinating the chicken to ensure maximum flavor and tenderness, then quickly pan-sear them to perfection before dousing them in our irresistible hot honey glaze.
- Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine the chicken tenders, olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Toss everything to coat the chicken evenly. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes at room temperature, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- Prepare the Hot Honey Glaze: While the chicken marinates, grab a small saucepan. Combine the honey, butter, remaining hot sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir the mixture frequently until the butter is melted and the glaze is well combined and warm. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a large oven-safe skillet (cast iron works wonderfully here) over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken tenders in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook each side for about 3-4 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Glaze and Finish: Once the chicken is cooked, reduce the heat to low. Pour the prepared hot honey glaze over the chicken in the skillet. Toss the tenders gently to coat them evenly in the sticky glaze. Let them simmer in the glaze for about 1 minute, allowing the flavors to meld and the glaze to thicken slightly.
- Pro Tip: Don’t overcook the chicken! Tenders cook quickly, and overcooking will lead to dry results. Aim for just cooked through before adding the glaze.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Skip the Marinade: Even a short 15-minute marinade makes a difference in flavor and tenderness.
- Hot Pan, Happy Chicken: Ensure your skillet is properly heated before adding the chicken for that perfect golden sear.
- Watch the Glaze: The hot honey glaze can go from perfect to burnt quickly, so keep an eye on it and stir frequently.
- Resting is Optional (But Nice): While tenders don’t strictly need to rest like larger cuts of meat, letting them sit in the glaze for a minute or two helps them absorb all that delicious flavor.
FAQs
- Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders? Absolutely! Just cut them into bite-sized pieces or strips that will cook at a similar rate to tenders.
- How do I store leftover chicken tenders? Store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the oven to maintain crispness.
- What if I don’t have apple cider vinegar? White vinegar or even a splash of lemon juice can be substituted in a pinch for the glaze.
- Can I make this spicier? Yes! Increase the amount of hot sauce or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the glaze.
Serving Suggestions
These delicious hot honey chicken tenders are incredibly versatile. They’re fantastic served simply on their own as an appetizer or fun main course.
- With Rice: Serve over fluffy white rice or fragrant jasmine rice to soak up any extra glaze.
- Grain Bowls: Incorporate them into a grain bowl with quinoa, roasted vegetables, and a drizzle of your favorite dressing.
- Salads: Chop them up and add them to a crisp green salad for a protein boost.
- Side Dishes: Pair with creamy mashed potatoes, roasted sweet potatoes, or a simple side salad with a light vinaigrette.
Make This Recipe in Advance
The marinade can be prepared and the chicken can be left to marinate in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours. The hot honey glaze can also be made ahead of time and gently reheated before tossing with the chicken. This helps make the actual cooking process even quicker on busy nights.
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Delicious Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Description
Delicious Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe offering a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and savory with a delightful crispy exterior. They’re incredibly easy to make and guaranteed to disappear in minutes!
Ingredients
Marinade
1 cup buttermilk
2 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1 1/2 tsp. black pepper
2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken tenders
Dredge
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup cornstarch
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
2 tsp. smoked paprika
2 tsp. kosher salt
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. black pepper
4 large eggs
2 Tbsp. hot sauce
Hot Honey
2 1/2 cups honey
5 Tbsp. hot sauce
2 1/2 Tbsp. cayenne pepper
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
For Frying
Vegetable oil or shortening, for frying
Kosher salt, for sprinkling
Instructions
MARINADE
Whisk buttermilk, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add chicken, coat well, and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
DREDGE
Set up a wire rack over a baking sheet. Combine flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, baking powder, and pepper in a bowl. Whisk well. In another bowl, beat eggs with hot sauce and water. Dip chicken in flour mixture, then egg mixture, then flour mixture again, pressing to coat. Place on the wire rack. Let sit for 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 325F.
HOT HONEY
Combine honey, hot sauce, cayenne, and salt in a saucepan. Heat gently until warm and infused, 10 to 15 minutes. Set aside to cool and thicken.
FRY CHICKEN
Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Place a wire rack over a baking. Fry chicken in batches until golden, about 3 minutes per side. Drain on the wire rack and season with salt. Keep warm in the oven.
FINISH
Drizzle fried chicken with hot honey, turning to coat. Transfer any remaining hot honey to a small bowl for serving on the side.
Notes
Don’t Skip the Marinade: Even a short 15-minute marinade makes a difference in flavor and tenderness.
Hot Pan, Happy Chicken: Ensure your skillet is properly heated before adding the chicken for that perfect golden sear.
Watch the Glaze: The hot honey glaze can go from perfect to burnt quickly, so keep an eye on it and stir frequently.
Resting is Optional (But Nice): While tenders don’t strictly *need* to rest like larger cuts of meat, letting them sit in the glaze for a minute or two helps them absorb all that delicious flavor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
