Crispy Oven Baked Hot Honey Chicken Tenders (5 ingredients)

Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Quick Overview

Crispy oven baked hot honey chicken tenders give you the golden crunch of deep-fried chicken using very little oil. Thin strips of fresh chicken breast get seasoned with warm spices, coated in crunchy cornflakes, baked until golden, and tossed in a sweet garlic butter sauce with hot pepper sauce.

This meal works well for quick weeknight dinners, party platters, or game day snacks. Crushed cereal creates a thick texture that stays crispy even after coating the tenders in the warm honey glaze.

Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Total time: 35 minutes Servings: 4 servings Calories: 410 calories per serving

Ingredients

For the Chicken Seasoning

• 600 g raw chicken breast tenders
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

For the Crispy Coating

• 2 large eggs
• 2 tbsp hot sauce
• 3 cups unsweetened cornflakes, coarsely crushed
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp flaky sea salt

For the Hot Honey Glaze

• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 3 tbsp hot sauce or sriracha
• 3 tbsp natural honey

How to Make Crispy Oven Baked Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

1. Preheat your oven to 200°C (392°F) and line a large rimmed baking sheet with baking parchment paper.
2. Pat the chicken tenders completely dry with paper towels and place them into a clean mixing bowl.
3. Sprinkle the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, fine sea salt, and black pepper directly over the chicken tenders, tossing until every piece gets evenly covered.
4. Crack the eggs into a shallow bowl, add two tablespoons of hot sauce, and whisk thoroughly until smooth.
5. Place the coarsely crushed cornflakes into a wide dish, then stir in the remaining smoked paprika and flaky sea salt until combined.
6. Dip one seasoned chicken tender into the egg liquid, allowing any excess drip to fall back into the bowl.
7. Press the chicken firmly into the cornflake mixture so the coarse crumbs adhere to every side.
8. Transfer the coated chicken tender onto the prepared baking sheet, repeating with the remaining pieces while leaving space between each tender.
9. Bake at 200°C (392°F) for 18 to 20 minutes until the coating turns deep golden brown and the internal chicken temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).
10. Melt the unsalted butter in a small skillet over medium heat while the chicken finishes baking.
11. Add the finely minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
12. Pour in the hot sauce and honey, whisking continuously for 2 minutes over low heat until the sauce bubbles and turns glossy.
13. Place the hot baked tenders into a stainless steel bowl, pour the warm sauce over them, and gently toss to coat every piece.

Pro Tip for tenders

Avoid crushing your cornflakes into a fine flour. Keeping small, visible cereal flakes gives the chicken a coarse texture that holds onto the hot honey glaze without absorbing liquid and turning soggy.

Serving & Storage

Serve these tenders immediately after tossing them in the glaze to enjoy maximum crunch. Arrange them on a platter with cool garlic ranch dip, blue cheese dressing, or fresh celery sticks to balance the fiery sweet sauce. They also work great inside warm wraps or toasted sandwich buns.

Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container lined with paper towels in your refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze cooked tenders, place them on a tray in a single layer until solid, then transfer them into a sealable freezer bag for up to 2 months.

Reheat tenders in a preheated oven at 190°C (375°F) for 8 minutes until heated through and crisp again. Avoid using a microwave because steam softens the cornflake crust.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe without eggs?

You can substitute the egg wash with buttermilk or whole milk mixed with a spoonful of Greek yogurt to help the cornflakes stick.

How long does it last in the fridge?

Stored in an airtight container with paper towels, cooked chicken tenders keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Can I cook these in an air fryer instead of an oven?

Air fry the tenders in a single layer at 200°C (392°F) for 10 to 12 minutes, turning them over halfway through cooking time.