Introduction

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders offer a perfect balance of crispy, spicy, and sweet flavors. These tenders are easy to make in an air fryer, delivering a satisfying crunch and a sticky, flavorful sauce that’s sure to be a hit with the whole family.

The image shows a close-up of five golden brown crispy chicken tenders arranged in a white plate with a white marbled background. Each chicken tender has a crunchy texture with a glistening layer of reddish-brown sauce drizzled on top, and small green herb pieces sprinkled over them. In the top right corner of the plate, there is a small white bowl filled with creamy white ranch dip with some green herb bits scattered on the surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds chicken breast tenderloins
1 cup flour
2 large eggs
2 cups panko bread crumbs
2 teaspoons salt (divided)
1 teaspoon pepper (divided)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ cup butter
¼ cup honey
2 teaspoons smoked paprika (for sauce)
¾ teaspoon cayenne pepper (more or less to taste)
½ teaspoon salt (for sauce)
½ teaspoon cracked pepper (for sauce)

Instructions

Step 1: In a shallow dish, combine the flour, 1 teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, and garlic powder. In a second shallow dish, beat the eggs well. In a third shallow dish, mix the panko with the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper.
Step 2: Dip each chicken tender first into the flour mixture, then the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with the panko mixture. Press the chicken into the panko to ensure even coverage.
Step 3: Spray the breaded chicken tenders liberally with cooking spray to help them crisp up.
Step 4: Arrange the tenders in a single layer in your air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F for 4 minutes, then flip the tenders and spray them again with cooking spray. Continue cooking for another 4 to 5 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown.
Step 5: To make the hot honey sauce, combine butter, honey, 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and cracked pepper in a small saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring frequently, until the butter melts and the sauce is well combined.
Step 6: Drizzle the hot honey sauce over the cooked chicken tenders or serve it on the side as a dip for extra flavor.

Tips & Variations

For an extra kick, adjust the cayenne pepper in the sauce to your preferred heat level.
Use regular breadcrumbs instead of panko if you prefer a finer crust, though it may be less crispy.
Serve with a side of ranch or blue cheese dressing to balance the heat.
You can bake the tenders at 425°F for 15-20 minutes if you don’t have an air fryer, flipping halfway through.

Storage

Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven at 350°F for about 5 minutes to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the coating soggy.

How to Serve

Four golden brown breaded chicken tenders with a crispy texture lie inside a black air fryer basket. Each tender is drizzled with a shiny reddish-brown sauce and garnished with small green herb pieces. To the upper left, there is a white plate with more breaded chicken tenders showing the same crispy golden crust. The background is a white marbled surface with a glimpse of a small white bowl containing a dark reddish sauce. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make these chicken tenders without an air fryer?

Yes, you can bake them in a preheated oven at 425°F. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through until they are cooked through and crispy.

How spicy is the hot honey sauce?

The sauce has a mild to moderate heat level depending on the amount of cayenne pepper added. You can easily adjust the spice by adding more or less cayenne to suit your taste.