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Oven-Baked Nashville Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

This delicious recipe combines the crispy goodness of chicken tenders with a sweet and spicy kick, perfect for family dinners or game day snacks.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken Tenders
  • 1 pound chicken tenders
  • 1 cup buttermilk Can be substituted with plain yogurt or regular milk if needed.
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper Adjust according to spice preference.
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons hot sauce
  • as needed Cooking spray For coating the baking sheet and the tops of the chicken.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat it with cooking spray.
  2. In a bowl, soak the chicken tenders in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes. This helps keep the chicken juicy and tender.
  3. In another bowl, mix together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
Coating
  1. Take the chicken tenders out of the buttermilk, letting the excess drip off, and dredge them in the flour mixture until fully coated.
  2. Place the coated tenders on the prepared baking sheet and lightly spray the tops with cooking spray to help them get crispy.
Baking
  1. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, turning them halfway through, until they are golden brown and completely cooked through.
Hot Honey Preparation
  1. In a small saucepan, combine the honey and hot sauce over low heat. Stir until warmed and well mixed.
  2. Once the chicken tenders are done, drizzle the hot honey mixture over them before serving.

Notes

These chicken tenders are great on their own, but you can also serve them with dipping sauces like ranch or blue cheese. Pair them with coleslaw or a fresh salad for a complete meal. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through.