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–+ servings

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.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 16 minutes
Course Main Course
Servings 4
Calories 497 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

For the hot honey sauce

For the chicken tenders

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.
    ½ cup honey, 2 tablespoons hot sauce, ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon chili powder, salt

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.
    1¼ cup panko breadcrumbs, ⅓ cup all purpose flour, 1½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground paprika, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • Mix the wet coating: In a second wide bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, milk, hot sauce, and the remaining salt and pepper.
    2 large eggs, ¼ cup milk, 2 tablespoons hot sauce, 1½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • Bread the chicken: Dip each 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.
    1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1¼ cup panko breadcrumbs, olive oil cooking 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

  • Sauce Tip: Make extra hot honey sauce if you like a lot of drizzle, it also works well as a dip on the side.
  • Crunch Tip: Press the panko onto the chicken firmly so it doesn't shake loose in the air fryer basket.
  • Spice Level: Taste the sauce before drizzling. Add more hot sauce for more heat, or more honey to mellow it out.
  • Timing Tip: Add the sauce right before serving. Drizzling too early makes the coating soggy.

Nutrition

Calories: 497kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 47gFat: 9g
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