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Crispy Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

A tall stack of crispy, golden-brown hot honey chicken tenders drizzled with shiny, sweet glaze.
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Make these crispy, juicy hot honey chicken tenders in your air fryer. They feature a perfect sweet and spicy glaze, making them an easy weeknight dinner or game day snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for extra heat)
  • Cooking spray
  • For the Hot Honey Glaze:
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce (use your favorite brand)
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken tender strips in a bowl and cover them with buttermilk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Let the chicken marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
  2. Prepare your breading station. In one shallow dish, combine the flour. In a second shallow dish, combine the panko breadcrumbs, paprika, and cayenne pepper if using.
  3. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each piece first in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, press the chicken firmly into the panko mixture until fully coated.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
  5. Arrange the coated tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding. Spray the tops of the tenders lightly with cooking spray.
  6. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway through, until they are golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F or 74°C).
  7. While the chicken cooks, prepare the hot honey glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the honey, hot sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Stir until the mixture is smooth and just begins to simmer. Remove from heat immediately.
  8. Once the chicken tenders are cooked, place them in a large bowl. Drizzle the hot honey glaze over the tenders and toss gently until they are evenly coated.
  9. Serve the sweet and spicy chicken tenders immediately.

Notes

  • For extra crispy results, you can bake these tenders instead of air frying. Place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
  • If you want a thicker glaze, let the honey mixture simmer for an extra minute or two until slightly reduced.
  • You can substitute panko with crushed cornflakes for a different type of crunch.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookingbyjade.com/hot-honey-chicken-tenders-recipe/