Description
Crispy and flavorful Honey Hot Chicken Tenders coated in a crunchy panko breading, air fried to perfection and drizzled with a spicy-sweet honey sauce. This recipe offers a perfect balance of heat and sweetness, making it a delicious appetizer or main course perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Honey Hot Sauce
- ½ Cup Honey
- 2 Tablespoons Hot Sauce
- ½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Chili Powder
- Pinch of Salt
Chicken and Breading
- 1 ½ pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, cut into tenders
- 1 ¼ Cup Panko Breadcrumbs
- ⅓ Cup All Purpose Flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon Kosher Salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper, divided
Breading Wet Mix
- 2 Large Eggs, beaten
- ¼ Cup Milk
- 2 Tablespoons Hot Sauce
- Olive Oil Spray
Instructions
- Prepare the Honey Hot Sauce: Combine the honey, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Warm gently for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors, then remove from heat and let it steep while preparing the chicken.
- Mix the Dry Breading: In a wide bowl, mix together the panko breadcrumbs, all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. Stir until thoroughly combined.
- Prepare the Wet Breading Mixture: In a second wide bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, milk, hot sauce, and the remaining ½ teaspoon kosher salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken tender first into the wet egg mixture, then thoroughly coat with the panko breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs onto the chicken so they adhere well. Arrange the coated chicken tenders in a single layer on a baking sheet and lightly spray them with olive oil spray for crispiness.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set the air fryer to 390°F (199°C) and allow it to preheat fully.
- Cook the Chicken Tenders: Place the breaded chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between pieces for even cooking. Air fry for 8 to 9 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway through the cooking time. The tenders are done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the coating is golden crisp.
- Serve: Drizzle the warm honey hot sauce over the cooked chicken tenders and serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Ensure the air fryer basket is not overcrowded to allow proper air circulation and even cooking.
- You can adjust the amount of cayenne or hot sauce in the honey mixture to make the sauce more or less spicy according to your preference.
- Using olive oil spray helps achieve a crispy crust without deep frying.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute panko with gluten-free breadcrumbs and use gluten-free flour.
- Check chicken internal temperature with a meat thermometer for safety.
