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Hot Honey Chicken Tenders with Spicy Sweet Glaze and Ranch Dipping Sauce Recipe

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4.1 from 48 reviews

These Hot Honey Chicken Tenders are perfectly crispy with a spicy-sweet flavor balance. Tender chicken is seasoned, double-dredged, and twice-fried for extra crunch, then coated in a luscious hot honey sauce. Served with a creamy homemade ranch dip, this recipe delivers an irresistible combination of heat, sweetness, and bold seasoning.

Ingredients

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 1 lb. (500g) chicken tenderloin
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Dredging Flour Mix

  • 200g all-purpose flour
  • 100g cornstarch
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 Tbsp garlic powder
  • 2 Tbsp onion powder
  • 2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 4 Tbsp seasoned flour (reserved from above)

Wet Batter

  • 1 egg
  • 50 ml water
  • 3 Tbsp Frank’s hot sauce

Hot Honey Sauce

  • ½ cup Frank’s hot sauce
  • ½ cup honey
  • ½ stick butter (about 4 Tbsp)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • ¼ tsp salt

Homemade Ranch Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1½ cups buttermilk
  • 2 Hidden Valley Restaurant Style Ranch packets

Instructions

  1. Prepare Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, combine salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. This rub will flavor the chicken tenderloins thoroughly.
  2. Season Chicken: Sprinkle the seasoning evenly over the chicken tenderloins. Rub it in on all sides to coat fully. Let the chicken rest for at least 15 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate up to 2 hours to enhance flavor penetration.
  3. Mix Dry Dredge: In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper until uniform.
  4. Prepare Wet Batter: In a separate bowl, mix a few tablespoons of the seasoned flour reserved earlier with the egg, water, and 3 tablespoons of Frank's hot sauce until smooth and consistent.
  5. Dredge Chicken: Coat each seasoned chicken tenderloin first in the seasoned flour mixture, then dip it into the wet batter, letting excess drip off. Finally, dredge again in the seasoned flour, pressing firmly to create an even crust. Place coated pieces on a rack and rest for 10–15 minutes to help the coating adhere well.
  6. First Fry: Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken tenders in batches for 7–8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on a paper towel-lined rack to remove excess oil.
  7. Second Fry: Return the chicken to the hot oil for another 3–4 minutes to crisp up extra. Drain again thoroughly on paper towels.
  8. Prepare Hot Honey Sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine ½ cup Frank’s hot sauce, honey, and butter. Stir continuously until butter melts and sauce is fully blended.
  9. Make Dry Rub for Coating: In a small bowl, whisk together garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, brown sugar, cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt evenly for a final coating spice blend.
  10. Coat Chicken in Hot Honey: Brush each fried tender generously with the hot honey sauce. Place coated chicken in a large bowl, sprinkle with the dry rub, and toss gently to thoroughly coat each piece with the spicy-sweet seasoning.
  11. Prepare Ranch Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, buttermilk, and the two ranch seasoning packets until smooth and creamy, perfect for dipping.
  12. Serve: Serve the hot honey chicken tenders warm alongside the homemade ranch dressing. Enjoy the crispy, spicy, and sweet bites with a cool, tangy dip.

Notes

  • Double frying ensures the chicken tenders stay extra crispy even after coating with sauce.
  • Letting the coated chicken rest before frying helps the crust stick better and not fall off.
  • The homemade ranch dressing complements the spicy-sweet chicken perfectly but can be substituted with store-bought ranch.
  • Marinating the seasoned chicken for longer enhances the depth of flavor.
  • Use a candy or thermometer to keep oil temperature consistent for best frying results.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/hot-honey-chicken-tenders-with-spicy-sweet-glaze-and-ranch-dipping-sauce-recipe/