Honey Hot Chicken Tenders (Air Fryer)
Crispy panko-crusted chicken tenders made in the air fryer, drizzled with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce.
Equipment
- air fryer
- small saucepan
Ingredients
For the hot honey sauce
- ½ cup honey
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- salt, pinch
For the chicken tenders
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into tenders
- 1¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- ⅓ cup all purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- olive oil spray
Instructions
- For the hot honey sauce: Combine the honey, hot sauce, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, chili powder, and salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Warm for about 5 minutes, then remove from heat and let it steep while you make the chicken.
- For the chicken tenders. Mix the dry coating: Combine the panko, flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper in a wide bowl. Stir well.
- Mix the wet coating: In a second wide bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, milk, hot sauce, and the remaining salt and pepper.
- Bread the chicken: Dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture, then into the panko mixture, pressing the panko onto the outside so it sticks. Set the coated tenders on a baking sheet, then spray with olive oil spray.
- Preheat: Preheat the air fryer to 390°F.
- Air fry: Place the tenders in the air fryer in a single layer, leaving space between them. Cook for 8-9 minutes, flipping halfway through. They're done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Serve: Drizzle the hot honey sauce over the tenders and serve.
Notes
Make extra sauce if you like a lot of drizzle. It also works well as a dip on the side.
Nutrition
Calories: 497kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 47gFat: 9g
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