1. What hot sauce to use for hot honey?

The best choice for hot honey depends on how much spice you want and the flavor you’re after. Frank’s RedHot is a reliable go-to with its tangy, medium heat. For a more complex, smoky flavor, Cholula or Crystal are excellent. If you're craving intense heat, try Tabasco Habanero or Texas Pete Extra Hot . You can even mix two sauces to create your own blend. A touch of acidity—like lemon juice or vinegar—adds a bright contrast to the sweetness of honey.

2. What spices are good in honey chicken?

To enhance the sweet and spicy profile of honey chicken, use bold and well-rounded spices. A mix of garlic powder, paprika (smoked or sweet), onion powder, cayenne, black pepper , and salt adds just the right amount of heat and earthiness. You can experiment by including crushed red pepper flakes or dried thyme for added complexity. These spices bring out the honey’s natural sweetness while giving the chicken a deep, savory layer of flavor.

3. Do you dip chicken tenders in egg or flour first?

If you’re baking your tenders, skip the flour step altogether. After marinating, the chicken can go straight into the egg wash, followed by a breadcrumb coating. Skipping flour prevents the crust from becoming dense or doughy during baking. The egg provides enough moisture for the crumbs to adhere, ensuring a solid, crisp coating that stays in place through the bake.

4. How to make breaded chicken tenders?

To get perfectly coated tenders, follow this sequence: Soak your chicken strips in a marinade like yogurt or buttermilk. Dip each one in beaten eggs to help the breading stick. Roll and press the chicken into seasoned panko breadcrumbs until coated on all sides. Line them up on a baking tray covered with parchment to avoid sticking and make cleanup easy. Bake at 425°F for about 18–20 minutes, turning them halfway through. With these steps, your tenders will come out crisp, flavorful, and baked to golden perfection. A light spray of oil before baking helps create that ideal crunch.

Honey Hot Chicken Tenders – 5-Step Easy Crispy Recipe

Name: Honey Hot Chicken Tenders: Baked, Crispy & High-Protein
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb chicken tenders or breast strips; 1/2 cup buttermilk or Greek yogurt; 1 egg, beaten; 3/4 cup whole wheat panko; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp smoked paprika; 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper; Salt and pepper to taste; 1/4 cup honey; 2 tbsp hot sauce (Frank’s, Cholula, or mix); Olive oil spray

Honey Hot Chicken Tenders: Crispy Baked & Loaded with Flavor

Print Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Sticky-sweet and spicy honey hot chicken tenders baked until crispy. Perfect for healthy dinners, wraps, or protein-packed snacks.

Author: Jake Callahan
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Category: Dinner
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

1 lb chicken tenders or breast strips

1/2 cup buttermilk or Greek yogurt

1 egg, beaten

3/4 cup whole wheat panko

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

Salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup honey

2 tbsp hot sauce (Frank’s, Cholula, or mix)

Olive oil spray

Instructions

1. Marinate chicken in buttermilk, garlic powder, and hot sauce for 30 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 425°F and line baking tray with parchment.

3. Set up egg wash and panko seasoning bowls. Dip chicken in egg, then press into seasoned crumbs.

4. Place tenders on baking tray and spray tops with oil.

5. Bake 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

6. Warm honey and hot sauce in a small pan and drizzle over tenders before serving.

Notes

Skip the flour to avoid soggy coating.

Mix hot sauces for a custom glaze.

Chill breaded tenders before baking for a firmer crust.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 2 tenders
Calories: 290
Sugar: 9g
Sodium: 410mg
Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 18g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 85mg

Find it online: https://proteinmealsdaily.com/honey-hot-chicken-tenders/