These hot honey chicken tenders are quick, easy, and delicious. Crispy fried chicken tenders are air-fried until golden and crispy on the outside, while remaining tender and juicy on the inside. Then, they're coated with a seasoned hot honey glaze.
Air fryers are one of the most innovative kitchen inventions of modern times. These handy countertop appliances cook foods faster and more evenly, and provide coatings with the perfect texture.
From breaded air fryer panko shrimp that are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside to air fryer frozen brussel sprouts that cook quickly from frozen and get wonderfully caramelized, air fryers make cooking so much easier and more flavorful.
We're also big fans of spicy dishes like these stuffed poblano peppers with chicken and cream cheese, as well. A recipe loaded with flavor, heat, and texture always makes any meal more fun!
Our honey hot chicken tenders combine the convenience of frozen food with the ease of using an air fryer and a kick of heat to create a delicious crispy chicken finger meal or appetizer that's tender, juicy, crunchy, and ready in around 20 minutes, including prep time. Try them with our dairy-free corn muffins and air fryer Mediterranean vegetables for a delicious meal.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- VERY Limited Ingredients: Like our orange chicken and rice, it only takes a handful of ingredients to make this recipe.
- Super Easy: It only takes about 20 minutes from start to finish, including prep time, and a limited knowledge of the kitchen to make these tenders.
- REAL Chicken: These chicken tenders are made with real chicken breasts, not the gristly, chopped dregs you find in so many brands.
- Customizable: You tweak the seasonings and even the type of frozen chicken used to make your own variations for family and friends.
- Convenient: These tenders are cooked from frozen, so you really don't have to plan ahead.
- Versatile: These hot honey chicken tenders make a great lunch, dinner, or party dish. Their sweet and spicy flavor even makes them a tasty pairing with our blueberry gluten free muffins recipe.
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Ingredients
We always use Springer Mountain Farms chicken for our recipes. They never add antibiotics or hormones, and they never use animal by-products in their feed.
See the recipe card at the end of the post for a full list of ingredients and their exact amounts.
Variations
- Chicken Tenders: Any chicken tender brand will work for this recipe. Chicken patties or chicken nuggets also work well. Just reduce the cooking time for the nuggets.
- Mild: Replace the hot sauce with an equal amount of honey to make a sweet and savory sauce without the heat.
- Honey Mustard: Replace the hot sauce with mustard to taste for a zesty honey mustard sauce. Make a little extra and serve this chicken with our air fryer sweet potato wedges for a total taste experience.
- Honey: You can use maple syrup in place of honey for a sweet, savory, and hot sauce with a different flavor profile.
Instructions
Step 1: Mix all the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until the sauce is combined and hot. Set aside.
Step 2: While the sauce is cooking, air-fry the chicken tenders at 400 degrees until crispy.
Step 3: Combine the cooked chicken tenders and honey hot sauce in a large bowl and gently mix to coat.
Step 4: Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- You should always preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and accurate cooking times. This is especially important for frozen foods to ensure the food is perfectly cooked both inside and out.
- Cooking the chicken tenders and sauce simultaneously ensures that both are nice and warm when it's time to mix them.
- Don't defrost your chicken tenders for this honey hot chicken tenders recipe. It's designed specifically to be cooked from frozen.
- These tenders are fully cooked, so there's no need to check for doneness with a food thermometer. When the outside is crispy, they're all good!
- These chicken tenders usually take 13 to 14 minutes to cook. For extra crispy tenders, go the full 14 minutes.
Honey Hot Chicken Tenders FAQ
Yes, you can. It's a popular mixture called hot honey used as a dip or topping for a variety of foods and as a marinade.
Honey hot chicken is a dish consisting of baked or fried chicken tenders coated in a sweet, savory, and spicy honey hot sauce.
You can use syrup, but we recommend maple syrup. In glazes, sauces, or marinades, maple syrup acts in much the same way as honey but gives the food a deeper, more robust flavor.
Several syrups can be used as a 1:1 replacement for honey. Maple syrup, molasses, agave syrup, corn syrup, golden syrup, and rice malt syrup can all be used interchangeably in most recipes. Be aware, however, that these syrups all have their own distinct flavors, so they may not all work in all recipes.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
If you loved this recipe, please leave a rating and a comment and let us know. We always love hearing from our readers!
📖 Recipe
Honey Hot Chicken Tenders
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6 chicken tenders
- ½ cup honey
- 3 tbps hot sauce
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
- Combine the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan and cook over medium-low heat for about 5 minutes. Set aside while you cook the chicken.
- Place the chicken strips in an even layer in the air fryer. Then, cook at 400 degrees for 13 to 14 minutes until crispy on the outside. 14 minutes gives you extra crispy strips.
- Add the honey hot sauce and chicken strips to a bowl and mix until evenly coated. Enjoy!
Notes
- Refrigerate for up to 3 days in an airtight container.
- Microwave individual portions at 1-minute intervals until heated through.
- You should always preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking and accurate cooking times. This is especially important for frozen foods to ensure the food is perfectly cooked both inside and out.
- Cooking the chicken tenders and sauce simultaneously ensures that both are nice and warm when it's time to mix them.
- Don't defrost your chicken tenders for this honey hot chicken tenders recipe. It's designed specifically to be cooked from frozen.
- These tenders are fully cooked, so there's no need to check for doneness with a food thermometer. When the outside is crispy, they're all good!
- These chicken tenders usually take 13 to 14 minutes to cook. For extra crispy tenders, go the full 14 minutes.
Claudia says
I made these Honey Hot Chicken Tenders and they were a total hit! Crispy, sweet, and spicy—so easy and seriously addictive. Definitely making them again soon!
Paula says
My son is huge on the hot honey trend and this chicken tender recipe was perfect for him, he's obsessed!
Andrea says
We tossed these chicken tenders in the air fryer for a quick dinner, and they came out crispy, sweet, and just the right amount of spicy—everyone loved them.
Elizabeth says
These hot honey tenders are amazing! So much flavor, crispy, and so easy to make. My husband loved them!
Lindsay says
These were AMAZING, I served them with salad for lunch and they were so yummy!
amy liu dong says
Wow! This dish is so delicious and so easy to make. I can't wait to make this again this weekend.
Lora says
These chicken tenders are easy to make and nice and spicy! I am making them again for the 4th!
Greta says
This was super delicious. Easy and quick! My kids are loving these honey chicken tenders!
Swathi says
Honey hot chicken tenders is delicious and perfect treat. My family loved it.
amy liu dong says
Simple yet bold recipe to make. I love the hot and sweet combo of this dish mouthwatering!
Nicole says
These hot honey tenders are amazing!! They are so addictive and the flavor is so yummy.
Krystle says
These came out supe crispy and the hot honey glaze is so addictive.
Swathi says
Honey hot chicken tenders looks delicious and perfect meal idea, I enjoyed it.
Nicole says
These honey hot chicken tenders are amazing!! So flavorful.
amy liu dong says
I love the crispiness and tenderness of this chicken recipe. It is so delicious and so easy to make!
Claudia says
Just made the honey hot chicken tenders—crispy, sticky, and with the perfect heat. So good!
Jen says
This was a great weeknight dinner. So easy and super flavorful
Nicole Kendrick says
So much sweet heat flavor! I agree! Enjoy!
Juyali says
Crispy, sticky, and just the right kick. Plus some serious flavor!
Loved this recipe.
Nicole Kendrick says
A perfect description for these tendies. Thank you!!
Michele says
This was one of the first recipes I tried with my new air fryer and it was a winner. So easy and turned out perfect!
Nicole Kendrick says
Thank you so much, Michele! Have an amazing day!
Claudia says
I just made these honey hot chicken tenders, and they’re crispy, spicy, and slightly sweet — absolutely delicious!
Nicole Kendrick says
So yummy and so easy to make! Thanks for the review!
Matt says
That balance of heat and honey is spot on. These are perfect for game day or an easy dinner.
Nicole Kendrick says
Thank you so much, Matt!
Ashley says
These were a hit and perfect served over homemade waffles!
Nicole Kendrick says
Nothing beats chicken and waffles!!!
Elly says
Absolutely delicious and I knew it would be so I made THREE batches of these chicken tenders. So good!
Nicole Kendrick says
THREE!?! AMAZING!!! Thanks for the positivity!
Flo says
So easy to put together for a quick weeknight meal. Served them with green bean salad and simple boiled buttery potatoes.
Nicole Kendrick says
A secret recipe of mine when I am in a pinch and everyone is hungry! Enjoy!
Jenna says
These hot honey chicken tenders were amazing—perfectly crispy and sweet with just the right amount of heat! I love how juicy they stay on the inside.
Nicole Kendrick says
SO juicy! These are the ultimate dinner hack!
Swathiiyer says
Honey hot chicken tenders is delicious I have made it so good my family loved
Nicole Kendrick says
This will have the whole family coming back for seconds! Thanks, Swathiiyer!
martha says
Tender on the inside, crispy on the outside... and the flavor. Such a delicious recipe, the honey glaze is everything!
Nicole Kendrick says
I love the sweet heat flavor paired with the crunchy outside! All the best! -NK
Lissy says
These honey hot chicken tenders are delicious, great to put together I was able to use an air fryer for this recipe.
Nicole Kendrick says
Air frying is one of my favorite ways to cook these days! Enjoy!
Maria says
Perfectly crunchy with a sweet-hot kick. And Max flavor with minimal effort! I used hot honey instead and they were delish! Thanks for the recipe.
Nicole Kendrick says
Sweet and spicy! I love them both and never want to have to pick just one, LOL!
Anthea says
You had me at hot honey! Was looking to change up chicken tenderloins and found your recipe. Was super yum!
Nicole Kendrick says
Same here! Glad I could help you get dinner on the table!
Barb says
Made these for New Year's and my kids aboislutely loved them. Hot honey is delicious!
Nicole Kendrick says
The perfect recipe to start off the new year right!!! Thanks for the review!
Luke says
Absolutely love these - so quick and easy - I often make a nice wrap with lot of veggies and these chicken tenders for lunch.
Nicole Kendrick says
A perfect pairing for veggies! Good thinking!!
Tess says
Soooo good! It felt like we ordered out, when really we stayed in!
Nicole Kendrick says
Nothing better than feeling like you are eating out, while in the comfort of your own house!
Nina says
I love the kick of sweet with the heat, and using pre-made chicken tenders makes it so much faster!
Nicole Kendrick says
Sweet heat is one of my favorite flavors around! Glad to hear you like them too!
Julia says
Honey and hot sauce is such an addictive combination! I love a recipe that balances sweet and spicy so well—these would disappear in minutes at my house!
Nicole Kendrick says
These never last long around mine either! Thanks for giving them a try!
Colleen says
Nice simple and delicious recipe. I sliced a chicken breast and it worked great.
Nicole Kendrick says
I love to hear that Colleen! Thank you so much!
Minerva says
My kiddos loved these hot chicken tenders!! they are delicious and easy to make.
Nicole Kendrick says
Mine too! Have an amazing day!
Ruth says
Love these! We had them in a tortilla wrap as well as on a rice and veg salad - super delicious and adds a nice sweet kick to the meal!
Nicole Kendrick says
What a smart way to mix up the dish! Thanks for the review!
Emily says
I admit I was drooling when I saw the recipe for these Honey Hot chicken tenders! And it came out so beautiful. The hot honey is a genius addition!
Nicole Kendrick says
Hot Honey Chicken is a must have!! Enjoy the amazing food!
Robin says
These honey hot chicken tenders are sweet, spicy, and wildly addictive. Crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and perfect for snacking or dinner!
Nicole Kendrick says
Aw thank you so so much! Have an amazing day!
Rachel says
I made these honey hot chicken tenders, and the balance of heat and sweetness was spot on. They stayed incredibly crunchy, and that sticky glaze is absolutely addictive.
Nicole Kendrick says
I agree! It is always about balance! Enjoy!
Amy says
Made the chicken tenders with the sauce for my kiddos and they loved it! I love the fact that I can just use store bought tenders and they taste great with your sauce!
Nicole Kendrick says
Who doesn't love a chicken tendy! Enjoy!
Omah says
These are so good! We loved the sweet and heat.
Nicole Kendrick says
You are the best! Thank you so so much!
Elena says
I made these Honey Hot Chicken Tenders and they turned out so good! Crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and that sweet heat combo is just perfect. Definitely going on repeat in my kitchen! 🔥🍗
Nicole Kendrick says
I love the combo of crispy and spicy! Enjoy the tenders!
Karla says
I love the sweet and spicy combination. I can't get enough of these.
Nicole Kendrick says
Same here! It's amazing!
Agnes says
The honey glaze had a good balance of sweet and heat, and the breading on the chicken stayed crunchy even after being tossed in the sauce.
Nicole Kendrick says
The breading gets me every time! Thank you for the review!
Belle says
Great flavors, the whole family loved these!
Nicole Kendrick says
Thank you so much!
Liza says
This was a super easy and yummy recipe! It was perfect for dinner on a busy weeknight.
Nicole Kendrick says
I agree! Perfect for any weeknight!
Lina says
These hot honey chicken tenders come out perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy inside. The sweet and spicy glaze takes them to the next level.
Nicole Kendrick says
I love these tendies! No doubt, the sauce is the best part!
Ramona says
These hot honey chicken tenders look super flavorsome and delicious! This also looks like a fun and quick recipe. Thank you for sharing this!
Nicole Kendrick says
So quick and easy! A perfect tendy when you are in a pinch!
Lucy says
These are insanely good. Love that crispy, golden texture paired with that sweet-and-spicy hot honey glaze, it’s such a perfect combo. The fact they’re air-fried and ready in about 20 minutes makes them even better for an easy, flavor-packed meal!
Nicole Kendrick says
They really do take just a few minutes to make! I am so glad to hear you are enjoying them!
Maria says
Made these honey hot chicken tenders and they turned out so good! Crispy, a little sweet, a little spicy—perfect combo. Easy to make and great for a quick meal or snack.
Nicole Kendrick says
The perfect mix of spice and crunch if you ask me! Thanks so much!
Lathiya says
These chicken tenders were amazing. I loved the honey hot sauce.
Nicole Kendrick says
I am so glad you enjoyed! Thanks for stopping by!