By Dr. Leah Alexander | Published on June 9, 2023 | Last Updated on November 27, 2023
If you have ever not tried the most popular dish, Honey hot chicken tenders, you should make it at home. It is a classic dish made with crispy chicken tenders and a homemade Hot Honey Sauce.
This recipe will satisfy your taste buds as it has the perfect combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors. The tenderness of the chicken combined with the crunchiness of cornflakes crumbs makes this dish irresistible.
For making this recipe, you will need a few simple ingredients and about 40 minutes of your time. This dish is perfect for serving guests or just enjoying it as an evening snack with friends and family.
So in this recipe, I’ll explain how to make this delicious Honey hot chicken tenders. Let’s get started.
What Is Honey hot chicken tenters?
Honey hot chicken tenders are crispy, juicy, and flavorful chicken tenders that are coated in a homemade Hot Honey Sauce. The sauce is made with coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and spices like smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and chili flakes. This combination of flavors gives the tenders an irresistible taste that will make your mouth water.
The chicken is coated in a mixture of all-purpose flour, eggs, and crushed cornflakes to give it a crunchy texture.
So, the combination of sweet and spicy sauce with crunchy chicken tenders makes this dish a crowd favorite. You can serve it as an appetizer or party snack and enjoy its mouth-watering taste.
Having said that, I first tried these Honey Hot Chicken Tenders at a party hosted by my friend in a popular restaurant in Nashville. She is also the owner of that restaurant.
It was one of those late summer evenings when everyone wanted to have some fun and enjoy good food with friends. When I arrived, my friend had already started cooking up the chicken tenders.
The smell of the sauce filled the room and I knew immediately that something special was cooking. I had heard about the Honey Hot Chicken Tenders from my friends, and this was my chance to finally try it out!
My friend explained the recipe to me; she told me that the chicken tenders were marinated in a mixture of pickle juice, black pepper, and chicken tenders, before being tossed in the flour, eggs, and crushed cornflakes. Then they were cooked until golden brown.
The Hot Honey Sauce was also made from scratch with coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and a range of spices like smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and chili flakes. These ingredients combined to create an amazing sweet and spicy flavor that complemented the chicken perfectly.
When the Honey Hot Chicken Tenders were served, I couldn’t wait to dig in. One bite and I was hooked! The flavor and texture of the dish were unlike anything I had ever tasted before – it was a perfect combination of sweet, spicy, and tangy flavors with chunks of tender chicken coated in crunchy cornflakes. Everyone at the party was raving about it and I knew right away that this was something I had to make again.
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Ingredients
- Chicken tender: It is the main ingredient of this dish and you need some fresh chicken tender and clean it properly.
- Pickle Juice: A bit of pickle juice is necessary to give the chicken an extra bit of flavor and moisture.
- All-Purpose Flour: The all-purpose flour will help the egg mixture stick to the chicken.
- Eggs: Eggs are used to create a crispy, crunchy coating on your chicken tenders.
- Corn Flakes (crushed): Crushed cornflakes give the chicken a golden, crunchy texture.
- Coconut Oil: Coconut oil is used to make the Hot Honey Sauce and gives it an irresistible flavor.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar adds tanginess to the sauce.
- Garlic: Garlic is essential for adding a delicious aroma and taste to the sauce.
- Spices: Smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and chili flakes give your Hot Honey Sauce a kick of heat.
- Salt & Pepper: Salt and pepper are necessary for seasoning your chicken tenders. You will need them again to make the sauce as well.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar adds tanginess to the sauce.
- Honey: Honey gives the Hot Honey Sauce its sweet and sticky texture.
- Black Pepper: A bit of black pepper gives the chicken a slight kick.
- Onion Powder: Onion powder gives the Hot Honey Sauce a subtle onion flavor.
- Chili Flakes: Chili Flakes gives the sauce its signature smokiness and heat.
- Cayenne Pepper: The cayenne pepper adds some extra heat to the Hot Honey Sauce.
Cooking Directions
Step 1
Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the pickle juice, black pepper, and chicken tenders. Mix until combined and set aside.
Step 2
Place the flour in one shallow bowl, the eggs into another shallow bowl, and the crushed cornflakes into a third shallow bowl.
Step 3
In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt. Set aside. Dip each piece of chicken into the flour first, then the eggs, and finally coat it with the crushed cornflakes mixture. Place on prepared baking sheet.
Step 4
Bake chicken tenders for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. While the chicken is cooking, prepare your Hot Honey Sauce. In a medium saucepan, heat coconut oil over low heat. Once melted, add in apple cider vinegar and garlic and stir to combine.
Step 5
Add in smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and chili flakes and stir to combine. Stir in honey until fully mixed together. Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes or until it has thickened, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 6
Once chicken tenders are cooked, brush them with Hot Honey Sauce. Garnish with dill pickles if desired.
Cooking Tips
• Always make sure that your chicken is cooked through before you take it out of the oven. Use a meat thermometer to check if the internal temperature has reached 165F before serving.
• If you like your honey hot chicken tenders extra spicy, feel free to add more chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the Hot Honey Sauce.
• For a healthier option, use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour and olive oil instead of coconut oil.
• Serve your honey-hot chicken tenders with a side of steamed vegetables or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
What Ingredients Can I Replace or Substitute While Making It?
• You can use any type of vegetable oil instead of coconut oil.
• If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, white vinegar or lemon juice would also work in the Hot Honey Sauce.
• For a vegan version of this dish, replace the eggs with non-dairy milk and use vegan butter or margarine instead of coconut oil.
• If you don’t have any cornflakes, you can replace them with other types of crunchy cereal like puffed rice or Rice Krispies.
• To add a bit more sweetness to your dish, try adding some maple syrup or agave nectar to the Hot Honey Sauce.
Honey Hot Chicken Tenders Recipe
Equipment
- Large baking sheet
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup + 4 tablespoons of versatile all-purpose flour creating a light and crispy texture on the chicken tenders when coated.
- 2 cups of tangy and flavorful dill pickle juice infusing the chicken tenders with a unique and delicious briny taste.
- 4 large eggs providing a binding element to help the flour adhere to the chicken and create a crispy and golden crust.
- 1/2 teaspoon of aromatic black pepper adding a touch of mild spiciness and a hint of depth to the chicken tenders.
- Crispy Chicken Tenders a mouthwatering dish featuring tender strips of chicken with a perfectly crispy exterior.
- 4 cups of crunchy and golden crushed cornflakes providing a delightful and crispy coating for the chicken tenders.
- Dill pickles to garnish, offering a refreshing and tangy element that complements the crispy chicken tenders.
- 2 teaspoons of smoky paprika imparting a deep and rich flavor that adds a smoky undertone to the chicken tenders.
- 1 teaspoon of fragrant onion powder adding a subtle and sweet onion flavor to the chicken tenders.
- 2 teaspoons of kosher salt bringing out the flavors of the chicken tenders and ensuring a well-seasoned taste.
- 1 teaspoon of savory garlic powder enhancing the taste of the chicken tenders with its pungent and aromatic notes.
- 3 lbs of succulent chicken tenders offering juicy and tender bites of meat that are perfect for frying.
Hot Honey Sauce:
- 1/2 teaspoon of fiery cayenne pepper delivering a spicy kick and an intense heat to the sauce.
- 10-12 cloves of minced garlic providing a robust and aromatic flavor that elevates the sauce.
- 6 tablespoons of luscious coconut oil creating a rich and velvety texture in the sauce.
- 1/2 cup of sweet and sticky honey offering a delightful balance of sweetness that complements the spiciness of the sauce.
- 2 teaspoons of smoky paprika infusing the sauce with a deep and earthy flavor.
- 2 teaspoons of zesty chili flakes adding a burst of heat and a touch of vibrant color to the sauce.
- 2 tablespoons of tangy apple cider vinegar adding a subtle tartness and balancing the flavors of the sauce.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine the pickle juice, black pepper, and chicken tenders. Mix until combined and set aside.
- Place the flour in one shallow bowl, the eggs into another shallow bowl, and the crushed cornflakes into a third shallow bowl.
- In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and kosher salt. Set aside. Dip each piece of chicken into the flour first, then the eggs, and finally coat it with the crushed cornflakes mixture. Place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake chicken tenders for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. While the chicken is cooking, prepare your Hot Honey Sauce. In a medium saucepan, heat coconut oil over low heat. Once melted, add in apple cider vinegar and garlic and stir to combine.
- Add in smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and chili flakes and stir to combine. Stir in honey until fully mixed together. Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes or until it has thickened, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Once chicken tenders are cooked, brush them with Hot Honey Sauce. Garnish with dill pickles if desired.
Notes
- Always make sure that your chicken is cooked through before you take it out of the oven. Use a meat thermometer to check if the internal temperature has reached 165F before serving.
- If you like your honey hot chicken tenders extra spicy, feel free to add more chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the Hot Honey Sauce.
- For a healthier option, use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour and olive oil instead of coconut oil.
- Serve your honey-hot chicken tenders with a side of steamed vegetables or mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
The approximate nutritional values of one serving (3 tenders) of Honey Hot Chicken Tenders are as follows, based on a 2,000-calorie diet:
• Calories: 519
• Total fat: 19g
• Saturated fat: 10g
• Cholesterol: 130mg
• Sodium: 682mg
• Carbohydrate: 61g
• Dietary Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 25g
• Protein: 29g
• Vitamin A: 7%
• Vitamin C: 3%
• Calcium: 6.3%
• Iron: 11%.
How to Store Leftover Honey hot chicken tenters?
You can store leftover Honey hot chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the leftovers and reheat them in the oven at 350F for 10 minutes or until they are heated through. Be sure to let them cool completely before storing them in the freezer.
FAQs
Can pregnant women eat this?
Yes, pregnant women can enjoy this dish as long as the chicken is cooked through and all of the ingredients are safe to eat during pregnancy.
Can I make honey hot chicken tenders in an air fryer?
Yes, you can make honey hot chicken tenders in an air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to 400F and cook the chicken for 12-15 minutes until it’s cooked through.
Can I make this dish gluten-free?
Yes, you can easily make this recipe gluten-free by using a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend instead of regular all-purpose flour and cornflakes instead of breadcrumbs.
Can I make this dish with other types of meat?
Yes, you can also make honey hot chicken tenders with boneless skinless chicken thighs or boneless skinless turkey breasts. You may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Wrapping Up
As you have seen making this delicious Honey Hot Chicken Tender is quick and easy. With the right ingredients, this dish will make a tasty and nutritious meal for your family.
Be sure to adjust the heat level according to your taste buds and don’t forget to store the leftovers properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator or freezer.
Moreover, the ingredients can be substituted with other options and this dish can be enjoyed by everyone including pregnant women. So, what are you waiting for?
Get into your kitchen and start making these honey-hot chicken tenders. Don’t forget to share this recipe with your friends and family. Thanks in advance.
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Dr. Leah Alexander, M.D., is a board-certified Pediatrician in New Jersey and has been working at Elizabeth Pediatric Group of New Jersey since 2000.
She also has a passion for culinary arts that extends beyond the medical realm. After completing culinary school at the French Culinary Institute, she started Global Palate, LLC, a catering firm, in 2007. She ran her own six-year-old catering company and served small group parties as an owner and executive chef.
