3 Ultra-Crispy hot honey chicken tenders

Hi there! I’m Alex, and if you’re anything like me, sometimes you just need that perfect little flavor bomb that hits both sweet *and* spicy notes, right here in your own kitchen. That’s why I’m so excited to share my absolute favorite solution: these Ultra-Crispy Baked hot honey chicken tenders. Forget soggy disappointments; these are perfectly balanced, reliably crunchy, and unbelievably satisfying. Honestly, making simple, soul-satisfying food like this is exactly what Pure Cooking Joy is all about. You won’t believe how easy it is to get that craveable crunch without even frying!

Why You Will Love These Ultra-Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

I know what you’re thinking: baked tenders never get truly crispy. Well, that’s just not true anymore! When you follow my dredging method, you get results that rival the best takeout spots. Trust me, these are the real deal.

• Shatteringly Crispy Coating: We nail that satisfying crunch every single time, thanks to a double dredge and a generous spray before baking.
• The Ideal Sweet Heat Balance: The homemade glaze is perfectly balanced—sweet enough to taste the honey, spicy enough to make you reach for water (in the best way!).
• Speedy Dinner Solution: This is truly an Easy Weeknight Chicken Dinner option that comes together faster than ordering delivery.
• Juicy Perfection: Inside that crunchy shell, the chicken stays tender, moist, and packed with flavor.
• Party Ready: These are the ultimate crowd-pleaser, whether you’re serving them as a main course or as your new favorite party finger food chicken snack.
• No Deep Fryer Hassle: We get maximum crunch with minimal oil splatter—just oven heat and a little patience!

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The Secret to Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders: Ingredient Clarity

Okay, so you know how I preach about how ingredients are the heart of everything? Well, for crispy chicken tenders, the quality and type of coating really make or break the experience. Don’t just grab any old breadcrumbs! The key difference between soft and shatteringly crisp is right here in this list. Trust me, assembling these ingredients is half the battle won.

We are keeping this simple, focusing only on what makes the outside crunchy and the inside juicy. And for the glaze? We’re building great flavor with just a few pantry staples, letting that spicy heat really shine through.

For the Juicy Chicken Tenders

You’ll need about two pounds of chicken breast, cut into consistent, easy-to-handle 1-inch strips. Uniform size helps them cook evenly, which is huge for consistent crispness!

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (This is crucial! Panko is flakier than regular crumbs and gives you that amazing crunch!)
• Cooking spray or 2 tablespoons oil for baking

For the Homemade Hot Honey Glaze

This is where the magic happens—the perfect sweet and spicy marriage! You adjust the heat right here by deciding how much hot sauce you want to bring to the party.

• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce (Use your favorite brand, but make sure it’s one you like the flavor of!)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (Feel free to adjust this measurement up or down based on how much kick you want!)

Crispy Chicken Tenders Tutorial: Step-by-Step Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Instructions

Alright, let’s get cooking! This is where you turn those beautiful ingredients into the best hot honey chicken tenders you’ve ever made. Since we are baking these to keep them healthy but still need that crunch, we have to be very deliberate about coating them well. Follow these steps exactly—that’s my promise for that Crispy Chicken Tenders Tutorial success!

Preparing the Chicken for Maximum Crunch

First things first, get your oven going! We need it hot, preheated to 425°F (220°C). While it heats up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and give it a good, generous spray of cooking spray. This prevents sticking, which is the enemy of a good crisp bottom!

Now set up your dredging station—three bowls. You’ll take your chicken strip, shake off any excess flour mixture, dip it completely into the egg, and then here’s the important part for crunch: press that tender firmly into the panko breadcrumbs. I mean, really press it down so you get a thick, even crust!

Baking for Juicy Inside Crispy Outside Chicken

Once all your coated tenders are lined up on the sheet, grab your cooking spray again. You MUST spray or lightly drizzle the tops of the breadcrumbs. This fat helps them brown beautifully. Bake for about 18 to 22 minutes total. Make sure you flip them halfway through so both sides get golden. We are looking for that internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)—always check one or two just to be safe!

Creating and Applying the Spicy Sweet Glazed Chicken Sauce

While the chicken is in the oven doing its fantastic crispy magic, we make the sauce. In a small saucepan, gently heat your honey, hot sauce, vinegar, and pepper flakes over medium-low heat. Just stir until it gets smooth and just starts to bubble slightly, then pull it right off the heat.

When the tenders are perfectly done, immediately move them to a nice big bowl. Pour that warm Spicy Sweet Glazed Chicken sauce right over the top and toss gently—you want every piece coated! Work fast so the heat from the tenders helps the glaze stick perfectly. Serve these hot right away!

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Expert Tips for the Best Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Even after nailing the basic bake, I still tweak things sometimes to get that next level of fabulousness. When I first started testing these hot honey chicken tenders, I struggled to get that truly shattering crunch without burning the outside! I realized I needed to hit the coating with a little extra fat right before it went in the oven. That small change in the baking step was a game-changer for me.

But let’s talk about the air fryer, because seriously, it’s amazing for this stuff. If you want to save a few minutes or if you just love that appliance, this recipe adapts beautifully to it. Getting the consistency right on these is all about technique!

Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Method

If you’re going the air fryer route—which is fantastic for a quick session of Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken—you need to adjust the temp slightly. I find setting it to 380°F (195°C) works best. Cook them for about 10 to 12 minutes total, making sure you flip them halfway through just like you did with the oven version. They’ll get golden fast!

Achieving the Ultimate Juicy Inside Crispy Outside Chicken Texture

For those days when you have slightly thicker strips or you just want guaranteed moisture retention, try this trick that makes them extra tender. Before you dip the chicken into the flour dredge, give it a quick bath in some buttermilk. It sounds silly, but that little bit of acid helps break down the meat just enough and gives the flour something sticky to truly grab onto, locking in moisture while you bake. It really helps achieve that perfect Juicy Inside Crispy Outside Chicken texture we are aiming for!

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Serving Suggestions for Your Craveable Chicken Tender Recipe

Now that you have these fantastic, flavor-packed hot honey chicken tenders, the fun part is deciding what to serve them with! Since the glaze is so bold—that perfect mix of sweet and heat—you need things that cool things down or give you some crunch.

For the ultimate crowd-pleaser, especially if you’re prepping for game day, these are hands-down the Best Game Day Appetizer. I always serve a big bowl of them alongside some cooling dips. A simple creamy ranch or a tangy blue cheese dressing is non-negotiable here; they cut through that spice so nicely!

If you’re making them the main event, throw them over a simple crisp green salad, or serve them with some plain celery and carrot sticks to balance out that spicy sweet experience.

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

It’s tough to have leftovers because these go so fast, but if you do manage to save some of these incredibly good hot honey chicken tenders, listen up: don’t ruin that beautiful crunch in the microwave! That’s a recipe for sad, soggy chicken, and we can’t have that.

Store any leftovers in an airtight container placed in the fridge for up to three days. When you’re ready for round two, you need to reheat them using dry heat. Toss them back in the oven at about 375°F (190°C) for about five minutes, or pop them into the air fryer for 3-4 minutes. They’ll crisp right back up for you!

Frequently Asked Questions About Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe

I always get questions when people try this recipe for the first time—usually revolving around customizing that sweet heat or speeding things up! It’s so flexible, which is part of why it’s become one of my go-to meals. Here are some of the common things folks ask me about making the hot honey chicken tenders recipe.

How do I make these hot honey chicken tenders less spicy?

That’s an easy fix! If you want to dial back the heat, simply reduce the amount of hot sauce you use in the glaze, or skip the red pepper flakes entirely. If you still want that flavor but less fire, try swapping out your regular hot sauce for a milder chili garlic sauce or even a dash of sriracha mixed with a little extra honey. It keeps the flavor profile but takes the burn way down. You still get that wonderful Flavor Bomb Chicken Dinner experience!

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breast meat for this recipe?

Absolutely, chicken thighs are super flavorful! If you use thighs, just remember they have a bit more fat and take slightly longer to cook through than breasts. If you cut them into equally sized strips, you might need to add 3 to 5 extra minutes to the baking time, or until they reach 170°F (77°C) internally, as thighs are safe to eat at a slightly higher temperature. They’ll be extra juicy, too!

Can I make the Homemade Hot Honey Sauce ahead of time?

Yes, you totally can! I often make a batch of the Homemade Hot Honey Sauce on Sunday just so it’s ready to go when I need it during the week. Just mix all the glaze ingredients together and warm them up right before you toss the tenders. If you store the cooled sauce in a small jar in the fridge, it will definitely thicken up. No worries! Just give it 15 seconds in the microwave or a quick warm-up on the stove before tossing everything together.

Estimated Nutritional Data for Spicy Sweet Glazed Chicken

I’ve pulled together the nutritional breakdown for these Spicy Sweet Glazed Chicken tenders based on the ingredients used in the recipe. Now, remember, this is an estimate, folks! If you use extra-spicy sauce or a different cut of chicken, things will shift a little. But this gives you a fantastic baseline for enjoying this treat without any guesswork.

• Serving Size: 4 tenders
• Calories: 380
• Protein: 38g
• Fat: 10g (with 2g Saturated Fat)
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Sugar: 18g

This data is an estimate and can vary based on your specific ingredients and portioning. Enjoy knowing you’re getting a great hit of protein with this delicious, craveable meal!

Share Your Perfect Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Experience

Now that you’ve made your new favorite hot honey chicken tenders, I desperately want to hear about it! Did the coating get totally crispy for you? Please hop down to the comments below and give this recipe a rating—it helps other home cooks feel confident trying it out.

If you snapped a photo of your gorgeous, sticky tenders, I’d love to see them! Tag me online. If you’re sharing on Facebook, you can tag the Pure Cooking Joy page right here: Share Your Tenders on Facebook! Seeing your results makes my day and keeps this joy flowing!

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Don’t forget to check out more Effortless Weeknight Dinners while you’re here!

Ultra-Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

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Make incredibly crispy chicken tenders with a perfectly balanced sweet and spicy homemade hot honey glaze. This recipe delivers juicy chicken inside and a satisfying crunch outside, perfect for a weeknight dinner or game day appetizer.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 22 min
• Total Time: 37 min
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Low Fat

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons hot sauce (use more for extra heat)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Cooking spray or 2 tablespoons oil for baking

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray with cooking spray.
2. Set up a dredging station: Place flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a shallow dish. In a second dish, beat the eggs. In a third dish, place the panko breadcrumbs.
3. Dredge each chicken tender first in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess.
4. Dip the floured tender into the beaten egg, letting excess drip off.
5. Press the tender firmly into the panko breadcrumbs to coat completely. Place the coated tenders on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Spray the tops of the coated tenders generously with cooking spray or drizzle lightly with oil to help them crisp up.
7. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F) and the coating is golden brown and crispy.
8. While the chicken bakes, prepare the hot honey glaze: In a small saucepan, combine the honey, hot sauce, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth and slightly bubbly. Remove from heat.
9. Once the tenders are cooked, transfer them to a large bowl. Pour the warm hot honey glaze over the tenders. Toss gently until every piece is evenly coated in the spicy sweet glaze.
10. Serve immediately for the best texture. These are a craveable chicken tender recipe perfect for sharing.

Notes

• For an air fryer method, cook the coated tenders at 380°F (195°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, then toss in the glaze.
• If you want an even juicier inside crispy outside texture, you can briefly dip the floured tenders in buttermilk before the egg wash.
• Serve these as your best game day appetizer with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4 tenders
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 18g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 38g
• Cholesterol: 110mg