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Crispy Air Fryer Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

A pile of crispy, golden hot honey chicken tenders generously drizzled with a thick, shiny hot honey glaze.
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Make these irresistible hot honey chicken tenders in your air fryer for a perfectly crispy, juicy result. They feature a simple, addictive sweet and spicy hot honey glaze, making them a fast, family-favorite weeknight dinner or game day appetizer.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch wide tenders
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • Cooking spray or oil for air fryer
  • For the Hot Honey Glaze:
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce (use your favorite brand)
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken tenders in a bowl and cover them with buttermilk, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours.
  2. Set up your breading station: Place the flour in one shallow dish, the beaten egg in a second dish, and the panko breadcrumbs in a third dish.
  3. Working one piece at a time, remove a tender from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge it lightly in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip it into the egg, then press firmly into the panko breadcrumbs to coat completely. Place the coated tender on a wire rack. Repeat with all tenders.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 390°F (200°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray or brush with oil.
  5. Arrange the coated tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. You will need to cook in batches. Spray the tops of the tenders lightly with cooking spray or oil.
  6. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway through the cooking time, until they are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. While the chicken cooks, prepare the hot honey glaze. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the honey, hot sauce, and apple cider vinegar. Stir until the mixture is smooth and warm, about 2 minutes. Do not boil.
  8. Remove the cooked tenders from the air fryer. Immediately place the hot, crispy tenders into a large bowl. Drizzle generously with the hot honey glaze and toss gently to coat evenly.
  9. Serve the hot honey chicken tenders right away for the best crunch.

Notes

  • For extra crispiness, you can lightly spray the panko coating with oil before air frying.
  • If you prefer baking, place the coated tenders on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake at 425°F (220°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
  • Serve these sweet heat chicken bites with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://frostedfancies.com/hot-honey-chicken-tenders-recipe/