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.
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.