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hot honey chicken tenders

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.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Course: Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 302
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

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

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet
  • Small Saucepan

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease it with oil.
  2. 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.
  3. Add remaining 1/2 cup flour, smoked paprika, and turmeric. Toss well and press flour onto chicken to coat evenly.
  4. Arrange tenders on baking sheet. Drizzle with butter or oil. Bake for 15–20 minutes until crispy and golden.
  5. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, gently warm honey, hot sauce, cayenne, and chipotle powder. Do not boil. Stir to combine.
  6. 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.