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Hot Honey Chicken featured
Avatar photoJohnson Maya

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Crispy fried chicken tenders glazed in a addictive sweet-spicy hot honey sauce, blending Southern frying tradition with viral flavor. Juicy inside, shatteringly crunchy outside—perfect game day snack or weeknight win that's better than takeout.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 520
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • FOR THE CHICKEN:
  • 2 pounds chicken tenders
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp paprika
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 3 eggs, beaten
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • FOR HOT HONEY:
  • ¾ cup honey
  • ⅓ cup hot sauce
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tsp cayenne
  • 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Equipment

  • Dutch oven or deep skillet
  • Thermometer
  • Wire rack
  • Saucepan
  • Mixing bowls

Method
 

  1. Hot Honey Chicken recipeCard1
  2. Step 1: Brine chicken tenders in buttermilk mixed with 2 tbsp hot sauce and 1 tsp salt for 30 minutes to 4 hours in fridge. This tenderizes meat, infusing subtle tang—look for slightly milky liquid as proteins react.
  3. Step 2: Mix flour, cornstarch, and spices in two bowls; beat eggs in third. Dredge brined tenders in flour, egg, then flour again, pressing for thick coat. Rest 10-15 min on rack to set breading, preventing slippage during fry.
  4. Step 3: Heat 2-3 inches oil to 350°F. Fry in batches 3-4 min per side until golden and 165°F internal, draining on wire rack. Meanwhile, simmer honey, hot sauce, butter, cayenne, vinegar 3-5 min for glossy sauce.
  5. Step 4: Toss hot tenders in warm sauce. Serve immediately for peak crispness.

Nutrition

Calories: 520 | Carbohydrates: 40 | Protein: 35 | Fat: 25 | Fiber: 1 | Sugar: 25

Notes

STORAGE: Refrigerate up to 3 days; reheat oven 375°F 10 min. Freeze fried tenders 2 months, thaw and crisp before saucing.
MAKE AHEAD: Brine and bread ahead, freeze raw up to 1 month.
SUBSTITUTIONS: Air fry breaded tenders 400°F 12-15 min for lighter version. Vegan: cauliflower + aquafaba.
PRO TIPS: Use thermometer for oil temp to avoid sogginess. Double-dredge and rest for pro crunch. Warm sauce prevents wilting.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS: Pile with pickles, ranch, coleslaw on sliders. Pairs with fries or cornbread; garnish sesame seeds for pop.
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