Baked Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Tired of bland, soggy chicken tenders that leave you disappointed? We’ve all been there – those drive-thru chicken tenders that promise crunch but deliver mush. Say goodbye to takeout disappointment because these hot honey chicken tenders deliver the perfect combination of crispy exterior and juicy interior, all crowned with a sweet-heat kick that’s absolutely addictive.

As a culinary instructor who’s taught this recipe in over 20 cooking classes, I can promise you one thing: these hot honey chicken tenders consistently earn rave reviews. My students often message me weeks later saying they’ve added this recipe to their regular rotation.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through selecting the perfect chicken, my secret breading technique for maximum crunch without deep frying, and how to achieve that perfect hot honey balance that makes these tenders irresistible. Plus, you’ll get storage tips, serving suggestions, and variations to keep this recipe fresh in your meal planning.

Why This Hot Honey Chicken Tenders Recipe Works

• Oven-baked perfection – all the crunch of fried chicken without the mess or excess oil
• Budget-friendly protein that transforms affordable chicken tenders into a restaurant-quality meal
• Make-ahead friendly – prep the chicken and sauce separately for lightning-fast assembly
• Versatile serving options from family dinners to game day snacks to meal prep
• Customizable heat level makes it perfect for both spice lovers and those who prefer milder flavors

Choosing the Right Chicken

Best Cuts for Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

When making hot honey chicken tenders, you have several options:

• Chicken tenderloins: The ideal choice for authentic tenders, these small strips come from under the chicken breast. They’re naturally tender with a perfect size for dipping.
• Chicken breast: More economical and widely available. Simply slice whole boneless, skinless breasts into 1-inch strips.
• Chicken thighs: For juicier, more flavorful tenders, boneless skinless thighs can be cut into strips (though they’ll have a slightly different texture).

Buying Tips

Look for chicken that’s pink (not gray or yellow), has minimal liquid in the package, and doesn’t have a strong odor. For the best hot honey chicken tenders, I recommend:

• Purchasing antibiotic-free or organic chicken when possible
• Buying from a butcher who can cut fresh tenderloins for you
• Checking for “woody breast syndrome” in chicken breasts by pressing the meat – it should feel pliable, not hard

Substitutions

If chicken isn’t available or you want to experiment:

• Turkey tenderloins work beautifully with minimal recipe adjustments
• Firm white fish like cod can be substituted for a pescatarian version (reduce cooking time)
• Portobello mushroom strips or extra-firm tofu provide excellent vegetarian alternatives

Ingredients & Prep

Chicken Prep Essentials

For perfect hot honey chicken tenders, proper prep is crucial:

1. Pat chicken completely dry with paper towels (moisture is the enemy of crispiness)
2. Trim any visible fat or tendon from tenderloins
3. If using chicken breast, slice against the grain into even 1-inch strips
4. Season with salt 15-30 minutes before breading to enhance flavor and juiciness

Breading Ingredients

For the crispiest oven-baked coating:

• 1½ cups panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup regular breadcrumbs (the combination creates perfect texture)
• ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese (adds umami depth)
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp salt

For dredging:

• 2 large eggs
• 2 tbsp milk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp salt

Hot Honey Sauce

This magical sweet-heat combination makes these hot honey chicken tenders unforgettable:

• ½ cup honey
• 2-3 tbsp hot sauce (Frank’s, Sriracha, or Tabasco work well)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ¼-½ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust based on heat preference)
• Pinch of salt

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Pre-Cooking Prep

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper
2. Set up your breading station with three shallow dishes:
   • Dish 1: Flour mixed with ½ tsp salt
   • Dish 2: Eggs whisked with milk
   • Dish 3: Panko, breadcrumbs, parmesan, and all seasonings mixed thoroughly
3. Pat chicken completely dry and season lightly with salt
4. Place a wire rack on your baking sheet and spray with non-stick cooking spray

Breading Process

1. Working with one tender at a time, dredge in flour mixture, shaking off excess
2. Dip into egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off
3. Press firmly into breadcrumb mixture, ensuring even coating on all sides
4. Place on prepared wire rack, leaving space between each tender
5. Spray tenders lightly with cooking spray or olive oil for maximum browning

Baking Method

1. Bake in preheated oven for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and crispy
2. Flip tenders halfway through cooking for even browning
3. Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C)
4. For extra crispiness, broil for the final 1-2 minutes (watch carefully to prevent burning)

Hot Honey Sauce Preparation

1. While chicken bakes, combine honey, hot sauce, butter, vinegar, garlic powder, cayenne, and salt in a small saucepan
2. Heat over medium-low until butter melts and ingredients are well combined
3. Simmer for 1-2 minutes until slightly thickened
4. Remove from heat and let cool slightly (sauce will thicken more as it cools)
5. Brush or drizzle over cooked tenders, or serve as a dipping sauce

Pro Tips for Perfect Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Avoiding Soggy Tenders

• Use the wire rack method for 360-degree air circulation
• Don’t crowd the pan – leave space between each tender
• Pat chicken completely dry before breading
• Spray with oil instead of brushing to prevent breading from falling off
• Let hot honey sauce cool slightly before applying to maintain crispiness

Tool Recommendations

• Instant-read thermometer ensures perfectly cooked chicken every time
• Wire cooling rack creates elevated crispiness impossible to achieve directly on a baking sheet
• Shallow dishes make the breading process much easier than deep bowls
• Silicone brush for applying hot honey sauce evenly

Storage & Reheating

• Refrigerate leftover hot honey chicken tenders in an airtight container for up to 3 days
• Freeze uncoated tenders for up to 3 months in freezer bags
• Reheat in a 375°F oven for 10-12 minutes to restore crispiness (avoid microwave)
• Store sauce separately if you plan to have leftovers, applying only before serving

Flavor Variations

Spicy Twists

• Extra Hot: Double the cayenne in the hot honey sauce and add red pepper flakes to the breading
• Smoky Heat: Add chipotle pepper in adobo to the honey sauce and smoked paprika to the breading
• Asian-Inspired: Use Gochujang (Korean chili paste) in place of hot sauce and add sesame seeds to the breading

Dietary Adaptations

• Gluten-Free: Substitute gluten-free panko and flour (rice flour works well)
• Keto-Friendly: Replace breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds and use a sugar-free honey alternative
• Dairy-Free: Skip parmesan and use plant-based milk in the egg wash

Global Flavors

• Italian: Add Italian seasoning to breading and serve with marinara instead of hot honey
• Mexican: Mix taco seasoning into breading and add lime zest to the hot honey sauce
• Buffalo Style: Increase hot sauce ratio in the honey mixture and serve with blue cheese dressing

Serving Suggestions

These hot honey chicken tenders are incredibly versatile:

Perfect Pairings:

• Classic coleslaw with a vinegar-based dressing to cut through the sweetness
• Crispy sweet potato fries for complementary flavors
• Grilled corn on the cob with lime butter
• Simple green salad with ranch dressing

Dipping Sauce Options:

• Buttermilk ranch for cooling contrast
• Blue cheese dressing for tangy balance
• Additional hot honey sauce for extra sweet heat
• Honey mustard for another layer of flavor

Drink Pairings:

• Crisp lager or pilsner beer
• Sweet tea with lemon
• Lemonade (regular or spiked for adults)
• Riesling or Gewürztraminer for wine lovers

Check out our recipe about Garlic Butter Chicken.

FAQs

Baked Crispy Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

These oven-baked hot honey chicken tenders are crispy, savory, and sweet with a spicy kick—perfect for game night, dinner parties, or an elevated weeknight meal.

Servings 6 people

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Equipment

• Baking Sheet
• Small Saucepan

Ingredients

Chicken Tenders

• 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenders or chicken breasts cut into strips
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour plus 1/2 cup later
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
• 1 egg beaten
• 2 tbsp hot sauce
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour for final coating
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
• 2 tbsp butter or olive oil for baking

Hot Honey Sauce

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 tbsp hot sauce
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp chipotle chili powder
• flaked sea salt to finish

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it with oil.
• In a bowl, toss chicken with onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, 2 tbsp flour, and parmesan. Add beaten egg and hot sauce. Toss to coat.
• Add remaining 1/2 cup flour, smoked paprika, and turmeric. Toss well and press flour onto chicken to coat evenly.
• Arrange tenders on baking sheet. Drizzle with butter or oil. Bake for 15–20 minutes until crispy and golden.
• Meanwhile, in a saucepan, gently warm honey, hot sauce, cayenne, and chipotle powder. Do not boil. Stir to combine.
• Drizzle warm sauce over baked tenders or serve on the side for dipping. Finish with flaked sea salt.

Notes

For extra crispiness, use a wire rack while baking. Adjust spice levels by increasing or decreasing cayenne. Serve with fries or slaw for a full meal.

Calories: 302kcal

Course: Main Course, Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked chicken, chicken tenders, crispy chicken, hot honey chicken