Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Juicy and perfectly golden, these Hot Honey Chicken Tenders are coated in crispy breading and drizzled with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce. They’re the ultimate finger food for tailgating or game day. Baked to lock in flavor, they’re so addictive that you might want them on your menu for every event!

These chicken tenders are so tasty that you’ll have trouble putting them down. And the best part is that they are completely homemade! From the golden brown crispy breading to the sticky, sweet, and hot dipping sauce, you have control every step of the way. 

In fact, the delicious hot honey sauce tastes so good that you could make huge batches, pour them into smaller jars, and give them away as homemade gifts. There are so many ways to use spicy honey sauce that you’ll want to save this recipe so you can make it over and over again. 

Why You’You’lle Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

• Made from scratch. You can adjust any ingredients to taste perfect to your taste buds. 
• Surprisingly quick. They are ready in just 45 minutes. 
• Versatile sauce. Use it on roasted veggies, grilled pork chops, and more! 

Ingredients

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

Get our FREE
e-cookbook

I want it!

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at anytime.

This recipe uses simple ingredients that are easy to find at the grocery store.

Chicken Tenders

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into tenders – Cut them into the same size and thickness, with the white tendon removed. 
• All-purpose flour – This is the breading base for the chicken tenders. 
• Salt and pepper – Use just enough salt and pepper to enhance the flavors of the spices in the breading. 
• Garlic powder – This adds earthy boldness to the chicken. 
• Paprika – This spice adds the perfect smoky flavor to the chicken.
• Eggs – This helps the breading stick to the chicken. 
• Milk – Any milk will keep the chicken moist and help the breading crisp.
• Panko breadcrumbs – The Panko breadcrumbs add a fantastic layer of crunchy textures to the breading. 
• Parsley – This is a sweet herb that adds the perfect amount of aroma and flavor as a garnish. 

Hot Honey Sauce

• Honey – The honey makes it sticky-sweet. Use local honey for the freshest flavors. 
• Hot sauce – Use your favorite brand of hot sauce at the level you want. 
• Butter – Unsalted butter makes the sauce slicker and helps the ingredients mix. 
• Garlic – Fresh garlic will give the sauce deeper aromatic notes. 
• Soy sauce – This is the secret ingredient with umami flavors that enhance the hot sauce. 
• Apple cider vinegar – The vinegar brightens the sauce slightly. 
• Onion powder – This pairs with the garlic to make the sauce just a bit smoother.
• Paprika – A bit of paprika brings in the smoky flavors.
• Ground ginger – This adds a bit of bite to the spicy sauce. 
• Salt and pepper – Use just enough salt and pepper to enhance all the other flavors. 

How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Making hot honey chicken tenders from scratch is easier than you might think. 

• Step One: Preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
• Step Two: Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls. In one bowl, add the flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. In another bowl, add the beaten eggs and mix in a splash of milk to thin the mixture. In the third bowl, add the panko breadcrumbs.

• Step Three: Dredge each chicken tender in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat the chicken tender in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.

• Step Four: Place the breaded chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray the tops of the tenders with cooking spray to help them crisp up in the oven (optional).
• Step Five: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken has reached an internal temperature of at least 165°F and the breading is golden and crispy. If the chicken is fully cooked and the coating is not brown, you can broil on low for 1-3 additional minutes. Be sure to keep a close eye on the chicken, as it can burn easily with the broiler.
• Step Six: Prepare the hot honey sauce while the chicken is baking. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine all of the sauce ingredients and mix well. Stir occasionally until the butter is melted and the sauce is heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

• Step Seven: Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool. The sauce will thicken as it cools.

• Step Eight: Once the chicken tenders are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Then, drizzle the hot honey sauce over the chicken tenders or serve it on the side for dipping. The sauce can be served warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Equipment Needed

If you want the best results possible when making juicy chicken tenders, I suggest grabbing a few key pieces of equipment.

This post contains affiliate links.

• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper 
• Shallow bowls 
• Tongs 
• Food thermometer 

What to Serve with Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

The crispy chicken and spicy sauce will taste delicious with your favorite side dishes. Try it with these easy recipes. 

• Sweet Potato Fries
• Southern Corn Cake
• Sour Cream Biscuits
• Poutine 
• Air Fryer Corn Ribs

Variations and Substitutions

• Make them spicier by adding chili flakes or cayenne pepper to the honey. 
• Use lemon juice instead of apple cider vinegar in the hot honey sauce. 
• Use regular breadcrumbs if you don’t have Panko breadscrumbs.

Storage Instructions 

Homemade chicken tenders will last about three days in the fridge in an airtight container. Keep them covered in an airtight container. You can reheat them in the oven.

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Tips and Tricks

• Check the internal temperature to make sure they are fully cooked.  The chicken needs to be 165F.
• The hot honey sauce does not have to bubble. It just needs to be heated through.
• For a thinner sauce, serve hot. Serve at room temperature for a thicker sauce.
• The hot honey sauce will thicken as it cools down. 
• Season the chicken with spices before adding the breading. 

How Spicy is the Hot Honey Sauce?

You’ll have a moderately hot sauce if you follow the directions exactly as they are listed. To adjust the spice level, add more hot sauce, paprika or even cayenne pepper. 

Can I Make Ahead? 

Yes, this is the perfect finger food to make ahead and store in the refrigerator until dinner or your party. You can save time by breading the chicken tenders and then storing them in the refrigerator. Then, all you have to do is bake them.

You can also make the hot honey sauce ahead. Store it an airtight container in the refrigerator and gently reheat before serving.

Can I Air Fry Instead? 

Yes, you can make them in the air fryer. Place the breaded chicken tenders on the air fryer rack in a single layer. Then, flip them over halfway through the cooking time. Fry them in the air fryer at 400F for about 8 minutes. Then, flip them over and fry for another 6 minutes. 

Can I Deep Fry Instead? 

Yes, you can deep fry them, too. In fact, deep frying will give you crispy, hot honey chicken tenders that taste a lot like fried chicken with a spicy kick. 

Are Chicken Fingers and Chicken Tenders the Same Thing?

Yes, they are basically the same thing. Chicken strips are also the same. All three names describe chicken tenderloins cut into thinner pieces, breaded, and then fried until completely cooked and crispy. 

Chicken Appetizers            

Here are a bunch of other chicken appetizers you should make next. 

• Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls
• Buffalo Chicken Dip
• Chicken Pinwheels
• Air Fryer Chicken Wings
• Asian Chicken Nachos

Follow me on Instagram @simplystacieblog, Facebook at Simply Stacie, TikTok @simplystacierecipes or Pinterest at @simplystacie and let me know how you liked this recipe and my other recipes.