Crispy, golden brown, and drenched in a luscious whipped hot honey glaze, these Hot Honey Chicken Tenders are the ultimate sweet and spicy indulgence. The buttermilk marinade ensures each bite is juicy and flavorful, while the seasoned flour coating creates an irresistible crunch. The magic, however, lies in the whipped hot honey light, airy, and packed with a perfect balance of heat and sweetness that elevates every bite. Whether you’re making these for a game night, a family dinner, or just satisfying a serious fried chicken craving, these tenders are guaranteed to impress. Serve them alongside a cooling ranch dip, a fresh slaw, or simply enjoy them on their own. Once you try this recipe, there’s no going back to regular chicken tenders!
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
Tender Marinade
- 2-3 lbs chicken tenders
- 1 pint buttermilk
- 1/4 cup hot sauce
- 1 tbsp garlic, grated
- 1 tbsp dried parsley
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ginger powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- Oil for frying
Whipped Hot Honey
- 2 cups honey
- 1 tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
Seasoned Flour
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
Garnish
- 2 tbsp dried parsley
Directions:
- In a bowl, combine all ingredients listed under “Tender Marinade.” Mix thoroughly and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 24 hours.
- For the whipped hot honey, add all ingredients listed under “Whipped Hot Honey” into a mixing bowl. Using a stand or hand mixer with a whisk attachment, whip for about 10 minutes until the honey becomes creamy and smooth. Set aside.
- In a separate bowl, mix all “Seasoned Flour” ingredients together until fully incorporated.
- Remove the marinated chicken tenders from the fridge. Working in batches, coat each tender in the seasoned flour until fully covered.
- Let the coated chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before frying, allowing the coating to adhere properly.
- Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the tenders in batches for about 5-7 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 175°F.
- Once cooked, sprinkle the tenders with flaky salt (optional). Drizzle with whipped hot honey and garnish with dried parsley. Serve immediately.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 10 minutes | Marinade Time: 1 hour | Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Kcal: 450 kcal per serving | Servings: 4 servings
The Inspiration Behind Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
Fried chicken has long been a staple of American comfort food, with roots deeply embedded in Southern cuisine. Traditional buttermilk-marinated, deep-fried chicken is known for its rich, juicy interior and crispy, golden-brown crust. However, adding hot honey a mixture of honey infused with spicy elements like red pepper flakes or cayenne takes this dish to a whole new level.
Hot honey itself has a fascinating history. It gained popularity in the U.S. in recent years, thanks to chefs experimenting with bold flavors and customers looking for more exciting ways to enjoy classic dishes. Inspired by spicy-sweet flavors found in global cuisines, hot honey provides a perfect contrast to the savory, crunchy exterior of fried foods. The combination of crispy chicken tenders and whipped hot honey creates a balance of flavors that is both familiar and refreshingly unique.
What Makes This Recipe Special?
There are countless fried chicken recipes out there, but this one stands out for a few key reasons:
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Whipped Hot Honey: Unlike regular hot honey, which is simply drizzled over dishes, whipping the honey creates a light, airy texture that coats the chicken more evenly. This technique enhances the mouthfeel and ensures each bite has the perfect balance of sweetness and heat.
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Buttermilk Marinade: Marinating the chicken tenders in buttermilk, hot sauce, and seasonings tenderizes the meat while infusing it with flavor. The result? Extra juicy, flavorful chicken that stays moist even after frying.
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Crispy Coating That Sticks: One of the biggest challenges when frying chicken is getting the coating to adhere properly. Allowing the seasoned flour mixture to sit on the marinated chicken before frying creates a superior crust that stays crispy even after adding the sauce.
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Perfect Balance of Sweet, Spicy, and Savory: The combination of honey, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, and smoked paprika gives the tenders a deep, multi-dimensional flavor profile that is both comforting and exciting.
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Restaurant-Quality at Home: With just a few key techniques, you can achieve that perfect crunch and juicy texture that you’d expect from your favorite fried chicken spot right in your own kitchen.
Tips for Achieving the Crispiest Chicken Tenders
Achieving perfectly crispy, golden-brown chicken tenders requires more than just following the recipe. Here are some expert tips to ensure your chicken turns out restaurant-quality every time:
1. Use a Buttermilk Marinade
Soaking the chicken tenders in buttermilk for at least an hour (or even overnight) helps break down the proteins, resulting in more tender, juicy chicken. The acidity in the buttermilk also allows the flour coating to stick better, preventing it from falling off during frying.
2. Let the Flour Coating Rest
After coating the chicken in the seasoned flour mixture, let it sit for about 5-10 minutes before frying. This resting time allows the coating to adhere to the chicken, ensuring a crispy and even crust.
3. Use the Right Oil and Maintain Temperature
For best results, use a high-smoke-point oil like peanut oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil. Maintaining an oil temperature of 350°F (175°C) is crucial too hot, and the outside will burn before the inside is fully cooked; too low, and the chicken will absorb excess oil and become greasy.
4. Don’t Overcrowd the Fryer
Frying too many pieces at once lowers the oil temperature, leading to soggy, greasy chicken. Fry in batches to keep the oil temperature steady and ensure even cooking.
5. Use a Wire Rack Instead of Paper Towels
After frying, place the chicken tenders on a wire rack rather than paper towels. This prevents steam from making the crust soggy and helps maintain maximum crispiness.
What to Serve with Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
These crispy, golden tenders pair well with a variety of sides. Here are some great serving suggestions:
- Classic Southern Sides: Buttermilk biscuits, coleslaw, mac and cheese, or cornbread complement the crispy, spicy-sweet flavors beautifully.
- Dipping Sauces: While the whipped hot honey is already a game-changer, you can serve the tenders with ranch dressing, garlic aioli, or even a tangy mustard sauce for extra variety.
- Pickles & Slaw: The acidity and crunch of pickles or vinegar-based slaw balance out the richness of the fried chicken.
- French Fries or Sweet Potato Fries: These crispy sides enhance the crunchy, indulgent experience of the tenders.
The Magic of Whipped Hot Honey
Regular hot honey is delicious, but whipping it transforms it into something truly special. By aerating the honey with a hand or stand mixer, the consistency becomes lighter, smoother, and more spreadable. This allows it to coat the chicken tenders evenly, ensuring every bite has the perfect mix of heat and sweetness.
Additionally, the whipped texture allows the honey to cling to the chicken without making it soggy. The technique is easy yet effective, making this dish stand out from traditional hot honey-glazed chicken recipes.
Conclusion:
Hot Honey Chicken Tenders are a perfect example of how a simple ingredient twist can elevate a classic dish. The combination of crispy fried chicken with light, airy whipped hot honey creates a dish that is both comforting and bold in flavor. This recipe is easy enough for home cooks to master yet impressive enough to serve at gatherings. With a few simple techniques like a buttermilk marinade, resting the flour coating, frying at the right temperature, and using whipped honey you can achieve restaurant-quality results right in your kitchen.
Whether you’re making these for a weeknight dinner, a party, or just to satisfy a fried chicken craving, these tenders will surely become a go-to favorite. Give them a try, and you may never want plain chicken tenders again!