Description
This Hot Honey Chicken Tenders recipe features tender chicken strips marinated in buttermilk and a blend of spices, coated in a crispy flour and cornstarch mixture, then fried until golden. Finished with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce, these tenders are perfect for a flavorful snack or meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken Tenders:
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins, white tendon removed
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/4 tsp black pepper, or to taste
For the Hot Honey Sauce:
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 1/2 cup honey
- Oil, for frying
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder. Place the chicken tenderloins in a bowl with half of the spice mixture and add the buttermilk. Stir gently to combine, then let the chicken marinate for 20 minutes at room temperature to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Coat the Chicken: In a large bag, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, and the remaining half of the spice blend. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off, then place inside the bag and shake well to ensure each piece is evenly coated with the seasoned flour mixture.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat oil in a deep fryer or heavy skillet to 350°F (175°C). Fry the coated chicken tenders for approximately 3 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F). Remove and drain on a wire rack to keep them crispy and avoid sogginess.
- Make the Hot Honey Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the hot sauce and honey. Whisk continuously and cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce is smooth, warm, and slightly thickened.
- Coat and Serve: Toss the fried chicken tenders in the prepared hot honey sauce until fully coated. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, double-dip the chicken in the buttermilk and flour mixture before frying.
- Adjust the hot sauce quantity in the honey sauce to control the spice level to your preference.
- Drain the cooked tenders on a wire rack rather than paper towels to maintain crispiness.
- Use a thermometer to maintain consistent frying oil temperature for even cooking.
