Crispy Tender Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe

Enjoy this delectable oven-baked Hot Honey Chicken, made extra crispy and smothered in a tantalizingly sweet and spicy hot honey sauce. Perfect alongside rice or potatoes, this dish is a crowd-pleaser for both kids and adults!
Hot Honey Air Fryer Chicken Tenders Recipe
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 ½ lbs)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Nonstick cooking spray
Flour Mixture:
- ½ cup flour (use a generous measure)
- 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar (light recommended)
Egg Mixture:
- 3 large eggs, well whisked
- 2 teaspoons hot sauce
Breading Mixture:
- 5 cups cornflakes, crushed
- 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon each: salt, chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon each: pepper, cayenne pepper
Hot Honey Sauce:
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup hot sauce (Frank’s recommended)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- ½ teaspoon each: garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder
Instructions:
- Prep the Ingredients:
- Crush cornflakes using a food processor, rolling pin, or hands.
- In separate shallow bowls, prepare the flour mixture, egg mixture, and breading mixture.
- Slice and tenderize chicken to ½-inch thick pieces. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bread the Chicken:
- Coat chicken in flour mixture, dip into egg mixture (letting excess drip off), and then fully coat in breading mixture. For extra coverage, you can dip and coat again.
- Arrange on a lightly greased, light-colored baking sheet. Optionally, place oven-safe cooling racks on the sheet for added crispiness. Spray chicken with nonstick cooking spray.
- Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C).
- Bake chicken for 15-16 minutes until crispy.
- Prepare Hot Honey Sauce:
- While the chicken bakes, melt butter in a saucepan with the rest of the sauce ingredients. Bring to a boil, then simmer until ready to use.
- Finish & Serve:
- Drizzle baked chicken with hot honey sauce. Reserve some sauce for dipping.
- Serve hot, accompanied by rice, potatoes, or your choice of sides.
Notes:
- Spice Levels: Adjust the heat of the hot honey sauce to your liking by altering the amount of hot sauce.
- Serving Suggestions: Enhances flavors when served with rice cooked in chicken broth, buttered noodles, or roasted vegetables.
- Alternate Cooking Methods: Instructions provided for deep frying and air frying, offering versatile cooking options.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving, 6 servings total):
- Calories: 387 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 59g
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Cholesterol: 133mg
- Sodium: 809mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 33g
Adapt this deliciously versatile recipe according to your preferences for a perfectly customized meal that’s bound to become a family favorite!