Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
Baked on a sheet pan, Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders are a crowd-pleaser. Honey-glazed, crunchy, golden brown with a touch of heat.
Hot Honey Chicken Recipe
I suppose kids like chicken tenders because they are predictable.
Well, let me tell you something. With the spicy, sweet honey glaze and the baked crispy coating, these Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders are not predictable.
Y'all, these tender chicken strips are delicious and are our new favorite chicken recipe. Bonus points because sheet pan meals are one of the best ways to get a delicious weeknight dinner on the table fast.
Let me set the scene...
First, put the boneless chicken pieces in a little spicy bath, then roll them around in a cornflake coating. Bake the little beauties until crispy in a hot oven, and last, bathe them in a little hot honey drizzle...
Lawd! Is it hot in here?
Hot Honey Chicken Ingredients
Baked Chicken Tenders Ingredients
- Cornflakes--provides a crunchy coating
- Parmesan Cheese--adds a depth of flavor and crunch when cooked
- Smoked Paprika--smoky flavor works well with the heat of the hot sauce
- Onion Powder--easy way to get flavor into your chicken
- Garlic Powder--easy way to get flavor into your chicken
- Kosher Salt--everything needs salt
- Eggs, large--beaten well
- Buttermilk--Add a splash of white or apple cider vinegar to regular milk for a perfect substitute for buttermilk
- Hot Sauce--I used Frank's Hot Sauce. It's a mild hot sauce, so adjust to your heat preferences.
- Boneless Chicken--tenders, breasts, or thighs
- Olive Oil--drizzled on chicken pieces helps it to brown and crisp
Hot Honey Ingredients
- Honey--local honey is my favorite
- Hot Sauce--I used Frank's Hot Sauce as it is very mild, but use what you like. Just note the amount of heat your sauce brings to the party.
- Cayenne Pepper--adjust to change the amount of heat
- Garlic Powder--more flavor
- Onion Powder--more flavor
- Kosher Salt--brings it all together
How to Make Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- In a food processor or large zip-top bag, combine cornflakes, parmesan cheese, and seasonings. Pulse until fine crumbs have formed. Transfer to a large bowl.
- In a medium bowl, beat the eggs, hot sauce, and buttermilk until well combined. Add the chicken to the spicy buttermilk mixture and toss until well combined.
- Toss the chicken pieces in the crushed cornflakes mixture, making sure each piece is covered fully. Place on baking sheet allowing plenty of room between pieces.
- Drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until crisp and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
- During the last few minutes of cooking, combine all the hot honey ingredients in a liquid measuring cup or other microwave-safe small bowl. Microwave for 1 minute or until hot. This can be done in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Drizzle the warm spicy sauce over the cooked chicken. Save any leftover hot honey for other uses.
- Return to the oven for 3-5 minutes for a final crisp. Serve.
FAQ
A hot baking temperature and cornflake/cheese coating help create crispy baked chicken in this recipe. But, don't skimp on the olive oil drizzle.
Finally, make sure the chicken is not overcrowded on the baking sheet. Treat the chicken like the pieces are siblings--No 2 pieces should touch each other.
Allow the leftover hot honey to cool to room temperature before covering with a lid. Use the hot honey within 1-2 weeks.
Drizzle hot honey onto pizza, chicken strips, chicken wings, brussels sprouts, cream cheese with crackers, and much more!
The golden brown color is a great way to tell, but to be sure the chicken is cooked to a safe temperature, use a probe meat thermometer. The internal temperature should register at 165 degrees F.
Dipping Sauce for Hot Honey Chicken
Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders are delicious right off the pan with their sweet heat, but if you are a dipper. Try dipping in Ranch Cottage Cheese Dip.
Substitutions and Variations
The great thing about making your hot honey chicken is that you can make the heat level fit your personal preference.
Not so Spicy Honey Chicken Tenders--Adjust the amount or eliminate cayenne pepper to fit your preferences and needs. Frank's Hot Sauce doesn't bring much heat, but still brings the flavor.
Vary the Heat--Different pepper sauces have different flavors and levels of heat. I used Frank's Hot Sauce since the baby angel doesn't like much heat. Try Tabasco or Crystal Hot Sauce.
SPICY Crunchy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders--Add red pepper flakes along with the seasonings and substitute a hot sauce to the hot honey to up the spice level.
Vary the Chicken Pieces Used--Cook your favorite pieces! I used boneless chicken thighs this time. Cut boneless skinless chicken breasts into strips or buy legitimate chicken tender pieces, if desired.
Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich--Serve chicken tenders on toasted brioche buns with toppings of your choice. I like a good sweet-spicy pickle slice and some ranch on my sandwich.
Air Fryer Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
Bake in the Air Fryer at 425 degrees in a single layer, in small batches.
Avoid letting the pieces touch to make sure all sides get crispy. Cook until golden brown and cooked through. Internal temperature should register at 165 degrees F.
Storage
Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container and use within 3-4 days.
Equipment
Baking Sheets are so handy to have around. You need at least 2 so you can alternate them and allow them to cool between batches when making cookies.
Related Recipes
Chicken is so versatile. Try Sous Vide Whole Chicken for a fancy chicken dinner with little effort. Our Best Chicken Taco Seasoning makes the best chicken tacos. Leftover chicken becomes impressive in this Easy Chicken Salad Recipe or this One Pot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta made on the stove top.
Serve Alongside Hot Honey Chicken
Sweet and spicy flavors compliment each other so nicely. Consider serving Whipped Sweet Potatoes made in the crock pot or Red Potatoes in Air Fryer with this hot chicken dish.
I love my friend Chef Alli's cooling Corn Salad alongside the spicy, crunchy chicken tenders.
DID YOU TRY THIS RECIPE? ❤️
Lastly, if you tried Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders following this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and/or rating!
I love hearing from you! I'll do my best to respond to each comment.
And, of course, if you make this recipe, tag me on Instagram! Seeing your photos is my favorite thing!
FOOD SAFETY
- Wash hands before cooking
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
Method
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- In a food processor or large zip-top bag, combine 5 cups Cornflakes, ½ cup Parmesan Cheese, 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika, ½ teaspoon Onion Powder, ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder, and 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt. Pulse until fine crumbs have formed. Transfer to a large bowl.
- In a medium bowl, beat 2 large Eggs, ½ cup Buttermilk and 3 Tablespoons Hot Sauce until well combined. Add the 2 pounds Boneless Chicken to the spicy buttermilk mixture and toss until well combined.
- Toss the chicken pieces in the crushed cornflakes mixture, making sure each piece is covered fully. Place on baking sheet allowing plenty of room between pieces.
- Drizzle with 3 Tablespoons Olive Oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until crisp and the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees F.
- During the last few minutes of cooking, combine all the hot honey ingredients (½ cup Honey, 2-3 Tablespoons Hot Sauce, 2-3 teaspoons Cayenne Pepper, ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder, ½ teaspoon Onion Powder, 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt, and optional 1 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes in a liquid measuring cup or other microwave-safe small bowl. Microwave for 1 minute or until hot. This can be done in a small saucepan over medium heat.
- Drizzle the warm spicy sauce over the cooked chicken. Save any leftover hot honey for other uses.
- Return to the oven for 3-5 minutes for a final crisp. Serve.
This was so good and easy to make! Both of my picky kids loved it!
Yay!!! It's a major win when we can add something to the picky kid's dinner rotation!
These look divine. Adding them to our Super Bowl menu! Thanks for all your great recipes.
Alli, I'm honored! Thank you for your kind review.
Amazing!! I dipped mine in the sauce instead of drizzling!!! Sooo good!! Great dinner staple in my house!
Ohhhhh... nice!
Might have this with my chilli Sunday!!!
Why not?!
Just made these. Had plenty of time to bake and eat during my lunch break. Delicious! I dipped the chicken in the leftover hot honey. Will make this again for sure.
I dip like that, too! 🙂 So glad you liked these as much as we do. I could eat this recipe every week.
These are so delicious! The heat is just right. Not too spicy but just a bit! One of my favorites!
Thank you! So glad you found the flavors balanced! 🙂
Husband loves heat - and this chicken recipe! I only used 1 T Cholula in the entire recipe - plenty of heat for even the one who loves heat!
I used Almond flour crackers instead of corn flakes - because that is what I had on hand. Great substitute! Will definitely make again!
JBF-- Thank you for sharing your experience! The hot sauce type definitely makes a difference in the heat level. I use wimpy "hot sauce" at my house since the baby angel likes it mild. It's great to know almond flour crackers work for the coating!
I made this and we loved it. Unfortunately I did not have any corn flakes but I had panko crumbs and they were perfect. I'll definitely make it again.
Ohhhh... good to know that substitution works well! Thanks!