Hot Honey Heaven: Crispy Chicken Tenders with a Kick!

Calling all spice lovers! Are you craving crispy, juicy chicken tenders with a flavor explosion? Look no further than these Hot Honey Chicken Tenders. This recipe combines bold cajun spices with the sweet and spicy magic of hot honey for a taste bud adventure you won't soon forget.

The Secret's in the Sauce (and the Marinade):

The key to these delicious tenders lies in the double whammy of flavor. First, we marinate the chicken in a buttermilk bath infused with a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, cajun seasoning, and a touch of garlic sriracha seasoning and hot sauce. This marinade infuses the chicken with incredible flavor, ensuring it stays juicy and tender even after frying. When it comes to this recipe, I like using Texas Pete for the best flavor combination.

The Batter that Makes a Difference:

Next comes the crispy coating. I create a light and airy batter using a unique combination of flour and cold tonic water. This creates a thin yet flavorful crust that won't overpower the chicken. For extra texture, we double coat the chicken in a seasoned flour mixture featuring the same spices used in the marinade.

The Star of the Show: Hot Honey Butter

Now, let's talk about the real star of the show – the Hot Honey Butter. This simple sauce elevates these tenders to a whole new level. I combine melted butter with hot honey, red pepper flakes, onion salt, and a dash of soy sauce. The result? A sauce that's sweet, spicy, and incredibly addictive! When it comes to hot honey, there are several different kinds out in the market, but my absolute favorite is the original Mike's Hot Honey. There is also Extra Hot version as well. Also, I love using my Truly Grass Fed Butter for this recipe as it is one of the best tasting butters out there.

Don't Forget the Dip!

For those who like to cool things down a bit (or want to add another layer of flavor), we've created a delicious dipping sauce. This creamy concoction combines mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, buttermilk, ranch seasoning, and a touch of hot sauce for the perfect balance of tang and spice.

Ready to Dive In?

This recipe is surprisingly easy to follow and perfect for a fun weeknight dinner or a delicious game-day appetizer. So,gather your ingredients, crank up the heat, and get ready to experience the magic of Hot Honey Chicken Tenders!

Here's what you'll need:

For the Chicken:

• 1 bs Chicken tenders

• 1 1/2 tbs Garlic powder

• 1 1/2 tbs Onion powder

• 1 1/2 tbs Cajun seasoning

• 1 1/2 tbs Garlic sriracha seasoning

• 3/4 cup of Buttermilk

• 1 Egg

• 1/3 cup Hot sauce

• 3/4 cup All-purpose flour

• 3/4 cup Corn starch

• Seasoning you used for the chicken

• 1/3 cup of flour

• 1 egg

• 1/2 - 3/4 cup Cold tonic water

• 1 cup plain flour

For the Hot Honey Butter:

• 4 tbs Butter

• 2 tbs Hot honey

• 1 tsp Red pepper flakes

• 1tbs Onion salt

• 1/2 tbs Soy sauce

For the Dipping Sauce:

• 1/4 cup Mayonnaise

• 1/3 cup Greek yogurt

• 1/4 cupButtermilk

• 1 1/2 tbs Ranch seasoning

• 1/4 cup Hot sauce

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, cajun seasoning, garlic sriracha seasoning (optional), egg, and buttermilk. Add the chicken tenders and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for maximum flavor.

2. Prepare the Coating: In one shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, and the seasoning. In another shallow dish, whisk together the flour, cold tonic water, and an egg. In a third shallow dish, put plain flour in it.

3. Heat the Oil: Heat oil in a large pot or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).

4. Dredge the Chicken: Remove the chicken tenders from the marinade, letting any excess drip off. Dredge each tender first in the plain flour, then dip it in the wet batter, and finally coat it in the seasoned flour. Repeat the coating process for a thicker crust (optional).

5. Fry the Chicken: Carefully lower the chicken tenders into the hot oil and fry for 5-7 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan.

6. Make the Hot Honey Butter: While the chicken tenders are cooking, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the hot honey, red pepper flakes, onion salt, and soy sauce. Stir to combine and simmer for 1 minute.

7. Assemble and Serve: Drain the chicken tenders on paper towels. Toss them in the hot honey butter sauce to coat.Serve immediately with the creamy dipping sauce.

To Make the Dipping Sauce:

In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, buttermilk, ranch seasoning, and hot sauce.

Tips & Tricks:

• Marinate the chicken for at least a few hours, but overnight is best for maximum flavor.

• Don't overcrowd the pan when frying the tenders. This will ensure they cook evenly and get nice and crispy.

• Feel free to adjust the amount of hot sauce in the marinade and the dipping sauce to your desired level of spice.

• These tenders are delicious on their own, but they also pair perfectly with your favorite dipping sauce like ranch or blue cheese.

So, what are you waiting for? Get cooking and experience the hot honey magic for yourself!