Hot Honey Chicken Tenders are crispy, juicy, and coated in a perfectly balanced sweet and spicy sauce. The tenders are seasoned with mustard and a flavorful spice mix, then fried until golden brown before being tossed in a buttery hot honey sauce with a touch of Sriracha for an extra kick!
Ingredients
🍗 2 lbs chicken tenders
🟡 2 tbsp yellow mustard
🧂 2 tbsp seasoning blend (salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder)
🥛 1 cup buttermilk
🌶️ 1 tbsp hot sauce
🥚 2 eggs
🌾 2 cups all-purpose flour
🌾 1/2 cup cornstarch
🛢️ Vegetable oil for frying
Hot Honey Sauce
🍯 1/3 cup honey
🧈 4 tbsp butter
🌶️ 1/4 cup hot sauce (Frank’s RedHot or preferred)
🔥 1 tbsp Sriracha (optional, for extra heat)
Instructions
1- Marinate the Chicken:
• In a large bowl, coat chicken tenders with mustard and seasoning blend.
• Pour in buttermilk and hot sauce, then add eggs.
• Mix well and let marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for extra tenderness).
2- Prepare the Breading:
• In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, and additional seasoning.
• Dredge each marinated chicken piece in the flour mixture, pressing to coat thoroughly.
3- Fry the Chicken:
• Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C).
• Fry the chicken tenders in batches for about 6-7 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
• Transfer to a wire rack to drain excess oil.
4- Make the Hot Honey Sauce:
• In a saucepan over low heat, melt butter.
• Stir in honey and hot sauce, mixing until smooth.
• Add Sriracha for extra heat and mix well.
5- Coat the Tenders:
• Toss the fried chicken tenders in the hot honey sauce until fully coated.
• Serve immediately with your favorite sides.
Prep Time: 15 minutes (+30 minutes marinating)
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4
Equipment: Mixing bowls, deep skillet, tongs, saucepan, wire rack
Cooking Tips
Use cornstarch in the breading for extra crispiness.
For a spicier kick, increase the Sriracha or add cayenne pepper to the flour mixture.
Letting the chicken rest for 5 minutes after frying helps lock in the juiciness.
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