Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
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Learn how to make these crispy hot honey chicken tenders! Coated in cornflakes for crunch and dipped in a flavorful hot honey sauce, they’re perfect for an easy air fryer or oven meal.
Why You’ll Love These Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
If you’re a fan of crispy, flavorful chicken, these hot honey chicken tenders are about to become your new favourite recipe. Coated in crushed cornflakes, they’re wonderfully crunchy on the outside while staying juicy and tender on the inside.
What makes these extra special is the irresistible hot honey sauce. With just the right amount of sweetness and spice, it elevates the dish to a whole new level. I honestly prefer these tenders over those from KFC, Popeye’s, Raising Cane’s, McDonald’s, or even Chick-fil-A.
What Makes These Chicken Tenders Special?
These chicken tenders are incredibly easy to make, which is why I love them so much. You don’t need any fancy equipment or long prep times to enjoy a delicious meal. Whether you’re using an air fryer or baking them in the oven, they turn out crispy and golden every time.
The cornflake coating is the secret to their crunch. It’s lighter and airier than breadcrumbs, which means they crisp up beautifully. Plus, the hot honey sauce adds so much flavour, combining sweetness, garlic, and a slight spicy kick.
Equipment You’ll Need
Before you begin, make sure you have these items on hand to make the process as easy as possible:
- Air fryer or oven – Both methods work wonderfully to cook these tenders. I used a Tower 11L Air Fryer, it’s my favourite Air Fryer
- Mixing bowls – For seasoning and coating the chicken and preparing the sauce.
- Baking tray (if using an oven) – Lined with foil or parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Ingredients for Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
For the Chicken:
- 300 g chicken mini fillets (10.5 oz chicken tenderloins)
- 3 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 60 g cornflakes, crushed (2 cups crushed cornflakes)
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
- 4 tbsp honey (¼ cup honey)
- 4 tsp dark soy sauce (light soy sauce is also fine)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tsp hot sauce
How to Make Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
First, preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F), or if you’re using an oven, preheat it to 200°C (400°F). While it’s heating up, season the chicken mini fillets with paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
Next, set up a coating station. In one bowl, beat the egg. In another, add the crushed cornflakes. Dip each chicken fillet into the egg, ensuring it’s fully coated, and dripping off any excess, then coat it in the cornflakes until it’s evenly covered.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Place the coated chicken tenders in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap. Air fry for 10–12 minutes, until they’re golden brown and fully cooked. Alternatively, bake them in the oven on a lined tray for 15–18 minutes.
Step 3: Make the Hot Honey Sauce
While the chicken cooks, prepare the hot honey sauce. In a small bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and hot sauce. Place the bowl in the microwave on a low heat (about 300W) for 30-40 seconds until warmed through. Stir until fully combined.
Step 4: Coat the Chicken in Sauce
Once the chicken tenders are cooked, drizzle the hot honey sauce over them or dip them in the sauce so they’re fully coated.
Serving Suggestions
These chicken tenders are best served fresh and crispy. Pair them with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ranch, blue cheese, or even extra hot honey sauce. For a complete meal, serve them alongside coleslaw, fries, or a fresh salad.
Another great way to enjoy these is to slice them up and add them to wraps, sandwiches, or rice bowls. The possibilities are endless, which is why I always keep this recipe in rotation.
Why You’ll Keep Coming Back to This Recipe
These hot honey chicken tenders truly have it all—crispy texture, juicy chicken, and bold flavors. Plus, the hot honey sauce adds a unique twist that keeps you coming back for more.
Whether you’re cooking them in the air fryer or oven, these chicken tenders are guaranteed to be a hit with everyone. So, give this recipe a try, and you might just find this is your new favourite way to cook chicken tenders.
Equipment
- Optional: The Air Fryer I use Tower: Capacity 11L
Ingredients
- 300 g chicken mini fillets 10.5 oz chicken tenderloins
Seasoning:
- 3 tsp paprika 3 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt & pepper to taste Salt & pepper to taste
Coating:
- 1 large egg beaten (1 large egg, beaten)
- 60 g cornflakes crushed (2 cups crushed cornflakes)
Honey Garlic Sauce:
- 4 tbsp honey ¼ cup honey
- 4 tsp dark soy sauce light soy sauce is also fine (4 tsp dark or light soy sauce)
- 2 cloves of garlic minced (2 cloves garlic, minced)
- 3 tsp hot sauce 1 tbsp hot sauce
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- First, preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F), or if you’re using an oven, preheat it to 200°C (400°F).
- While it’s heating up, season the chicken mini fillets with paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.
- Next, set up a coating station. In one bowl, beat the egg. In another, add the crushed cornflakes.
- Dip each chicken fillet into the egg, ensuring it’s fully coated, and dripping off any excess, then coat it in the cornflakes until it’s evenly covered.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
- Place the coated chicken tenders in the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t overlap.
- Air fry for 10–12 minutes, until they’re golden brown and fully cooked. Alternatively, bake them in the oven on a lined tray for 15–18 minutes.
Step 3: Make the Hot Honey Sauce
- While the chicken cooks, prepare the hot honey sauce. In a small bowl, combine the honey, soy sauce, minced garlic, and hot sauce.
- Place the bowl in the microwave on a low heat (about 300W) for 30-40 seconds until warmed through. Stir until fully combined.
Step 4: Coat the Chicken in Sauce
- Once the chicken tenders are cooked, drizzle the hot honey sauce over them or dip them in the sauce so they're fully coated.
