Description
Crispy and flavorful Hot Honey Chicken Tenders marinated in dill pickle juice and coated in a crunchy cornflake crust, finished with a sweet and spicy hot honey drizzle. Perfectly cooked via air frying, pan frying, or baking for a versatile and delicious meal.
Ingredients
Chicken and Brine
- 1.25-1.5 lb chicken breasts
- 1 cup dill pickle juice (or any flavor you prefer)
Coating
- ⅓ cup all purpose flour (gluten free all purpose flour will also work)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 3 eggs, whisked
- 4 cups corn flakes, crushed (more as needed)
For Cooking and Serving
- ⅓ cup hot honey (or use store bought hot honey)
- ¼ cup oil for frying (only if pan frying; more as needed)
- Pickles for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Brine the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into equal-sized tenders. Place them in a gallon-sized ziplock bag or large bowl and pour in the dill pickle juice. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes and up to 24 hours to infuse flavor and tenderize the chicken.
- Dredge the Chicken: Set up a dredging station with three separate bowls: one with the seasoned flour mixture (flour, salt, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder), one with whisked eggs, and one with crushed corn flakes. Dip each tender first into the flour mixture, then the eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with crushed corn flakes. Place the coated tenders on a parchment-lined baking sheet until ready to cook.
- Cook the Tenders: Choose your preferred method:
- Pan Fry: Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry 4-6 tenders at a time, cooking each side for 6-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Air Fry: Preheat air fryer to 350ºF. Lightly spray battered tenders with cooking spray. Air fry for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Bake: Place tenders on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spritz with cooking spray, and bake at 375ºF for 16-18 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165ºF.
- Drizzle and Serve: Let the cooked tenders rest a few minutes. Generously drizzle with hot honey and serve optionally with spicy pickles. Enjoy your crunchy, sweet and spicy chicken tenders!
Notes
- For best flavor, marinate chicken for at least 1 hour; overnight brining enhances tenderness and flavor.
- If you prefer less spice, adjust or omit red pepper flakes and use mild honey instead of hot honey.
- Use gluten-free flour and corn flakes to make this recipe gluten free.
- Oil quantity may vary depending on frying pan size; use enough to shallow fry the tenders without crowding.
- Cooking times may vary slightly depending on tender size and appliance; always check for an internal temperature of 165ºF.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in air fryer or oven for best crispiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
