Awesome 5-Minute Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders

Name: Awesome 5-Minute Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 and 1 half pounds chicken tenders; 2 cups buttermilk; 3 tablespoons hot sauce; 1 tablespoon finely grated garlic; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 2 cups all purpose flour; 1 cup cornstarch; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 3 quarters cup honey; 1 quarter cup water; 1 to 2 chipotle peppers finely minced; 1 tablespoon ketchup; 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar; 1 half teaspoon salt; 1 half teaspoon black pepper; Neutral oil for frying

By anna Boncoeur On October 16, 2025

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If you’re looking for Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders Crispy and Juicy that hit every single note—sweet, smoky, spicy, and undeniably crunchy—then you’ve found your new favorite weeknight staple! I’m Anna, and I’m that passionate food lover who’s always testing out ways to make everyday cooking easier and, frankly, more joyful. Trust me when I say I have made this specific batch of honey chipotle chicken tenders crispy and juicy about a dozen times to get the coating and the sauce ratio absolutely perfect for you.

We are ditching the dry, sad chicken strips of the past. This recipe uses a buttermilk bath and a cornstarch boost in the flour to lock in all that moisture while creating a shatteringly crisp exterior. Then, we toss it in a glaze that sings with smoky chipotle heat balanced by sweet honey. It’s seriously addictive, whether you serve it as a main course or pile them high for game day.

Table Of content

Why You Will Make These Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders Crispy and Juicy

I know you’re busy, which is why I perfected this recipe to be fast without sacrificing flavor or texture. These aren’t just good chicken tenders; they are the best you’ll ever make, guaranteed!

The flavor profile is just incredible—that perfect marriage of sweet honey and smoky, gentle chipotle heat.
Texture perfection! They are so incredibly crispy on the outside and stay juicy inside, even after glazing.
They come together faster than you think, making them perfect for a weeknight dinner or a last-minute appetizer.
You can serve these Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders Crispy and Juicy with rice, salad, or just dipping sauce. They are versatile!

Essential Equipment for Perfect Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders Crispy and Juicy

Don’t worry, you don’t need a deep fryer! We’re keeping this simple, but having the right tools makes all the difference between good tenders and truly spectacular Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders Crispy and Juicy.

Here’s what you’ll want handy:

Two large, shallow bowls for your marinade and your flour dredge.
A heavy-bottomed, deep skillet or Dutch oven for frying safely.
A reliable instant-read thermometer—this is non-negotiable for food safety and perfect doneness!
A whisk and a small saucepan for that amazing glaze.

Gathering Ingredients for Your Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders Crispy and Juicy

Getting your ingredients lined up first makes the whole cooking process feel like a breeze. Seriously, having everything ready before you start the marinade is my secret weapon for stress-free cooking. For six servings of these incredible Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders Crispy and Juicy, you’ll need components for the chicken, the coating, and that killer sauce.

Don’t try to substitute the cornstarch, though! That’s the magic dust keeping these tenders so wonderfully crisp when they meet that sweet glaze.

Chicken and Marinade Components

We start with a good amount of chicken—you’ll need 2 and a half pounds of nice, clean chicken tenders. The marinade is critical for tenderness. You’ll whisk together 2 cups of buttermilk, 3 tablespoons of your favorite hot sauce, 1 teaspoon each of onion powder and smoked paprika, plus 1 teaspoon of salt and pepper. Don’t forget that flavor boost from 1 tablespoon of finely grated garlic. Make sure that garlic is grated fine so it really permeates the meat!

Crispy Coating Mixture

For the coating, we need 2 cups of all-purpose flour mixed with 1 cup of cornstarch—that cornstarch is your ticket to crunch town! Whisk that together with 1 teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Keep this dry mix next to your frying station.

Sweet and Smoky Honey Chipotle Glaze

This is where the flavor explosion happens. In a small saucepan, you’ll combine three-quarters cup of honey with a quarter cup of water. Add 1 tablespoon of ketchup, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and just a half teaspoon each of salt and pepper. The key ingredient here is 1 to 2 chipotle peppers that you’ve finely minced. If you’re nervous, start with one pepper, but I love the depth of two!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders Crispy and Juicy

Okay, now that everything is prepped and ready to go, the fun part begins! Following these steps in order ensures you get that signature crispy coating that holds up beautifully under the sweet and smoky sauce. It all moves pretty fast once you start frying, so have your cooling rack or plate lined with paper towels ready!

Marinating the Chicken

First things first, we need to tenderize and flavor the chicken. In your big bowl, give that buttermilk, hot sauce, grated garlic, and spices a really good whisk until they are fully combined. Now, toss in all 2 and a half pounds of chicken tenders. Make sure every single piece is swimming in that marinade. Cover the bowl—plastic wrap is fine—and let it hang out in the fridge. You need at least 30 minutes, but honestly, if you can let it go for an hour or two, the buttermilk really works its magic making them tender!

Preparing the Honey Chipotle Sauce

While the chicken is chilling, get your glaze going. Pour the honey, water, minced chipotles, ketchup, vinegar, and the small amounts of salt and pepper into a small saucepan. Set this over medium-low heat. You don’t want a rolling boil here, just a gentle simmer. Let it bubble softly for about 3 to 4 minutes. You’ll notice it getting just a tiny bit thicker, enough to coat the back of a spoon. Once it does, take it right off the heat. It will continue to thicken slightly as it cools down.

Creating the Crispy Dredge

Next, grab your shallow bowl with the dry ingredients. This is the secret sauce for the crunch! Make sure you gave that flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper a good whisk. You want zero clumps of cornstarch sitting in there. This is what gives you that amazing, craggy, crispy texture when it hits the hot oil.

Frying for Crispy and Juicy Results

Time to bring the heat! Pour enough neutral oil into your deep skillet so that the tenders will be mostly submerged—about an inch or two deep works for me. Heat it up until your thermometer reads exactly 350°F. This temperature is crucial! If it’s too cool, the coating gets greasy; if it’s too hot, the outside burns before the inside cooks. Working in small batches is key here—don’t crowd the pan! This keeps the oil temperature steady and ensures you get those super crispy tenders we talked about. Dredge each marinated tender thoroughly in the flour mix, shaking off any excess, and carefully place it in the hot oil. Fry them for about 5 to 6 minutes per side until they are a beautiful golden brown. Remember, chicken is safe to eat when it hits 165°F internally, so use that thermometer if you’re unsure!

Glazing the Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders Crispy and Juicy

This step needs to happen fast! As soon as the tenders come out of the oil, drain them briefly on a wire rack or paper towels, and immediately transfer them to a large, clean bowl. Pour that warm honey chipotle sauce right over the top. Toss everything gently but quickly until every single piece of your Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders Crispy and Juicy is beautifully coated in that sticky, smoky glaze. Serve them right away while they are piping hot!

Tips for Achieving the Best Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders Crispy and Juicy Texture

It’s easy to mess up the texture if you rush the process, especially when dealing with a wet glaze. I learned this the hard way—soggy tenders are just sad tenders! But don’t worry, these little pointers will guarantee you get that fantastic crackle every single time you make these Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders Crispy and Juicy.

The goal here is maximum crunch before we introduce the sauce. A little bit of patience during the frying stage pays off huge dividends later on.

Temperature Control is Key

If you drop too many tenders in the oil at once, the temperature plummets, and instead of frying, your chicken starts to steam in the oil. That’s how you get greasy, soft coating! Always fry in small batches, just enough so they aren’t touching. If the oil dips below 330°F, give it a minute or two to recover back to that sweet spot of 350°F before adding the next batch. That constant heat keeps the crisp factor high.

Achieving a Perfect Glaze Consistency

Sometimes my honey is super thick, or maybe the weather is humid, and the sauce ends up a little too thin when I take it off the heat. If your glaze seems watery, just put it back on very low heat for another minute while whisking constantly. If it gets too thick, which happens if you simmer it too long, just whisk in a teaspoon of warm water at a time until it drizzles nicely off your spoon. You want it runny enough to coat, but not so thin that it immediately soaks into the crispy crust.

Storing and Reheating Your Leftover Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders

Oh, leftovers! Sometimes these amazing Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders Crispy and Juicy taste even better the next day, but we have to treat them right so they don’t lose that crunch. Storing them correctly is half the battle, and reheating them properly is the other half. Don’t even think about the microwave unless you absolutely must!

Storage Guidelines and Best Practices

If you happen to have any left—which is rare in my house—you need to cool them completely before storing. Once cool, place the tenders in a single layer in an airtight container. Don’t try to stack too many; they steam themselves if you pile them up. They’ll keep safely in the fridge for about three days. If you manage to keep them separated, the glaze won’t make the whole batch soggy too fast.

Reheating Methods for Crispness

To bring back that glorious crunch to your Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders Crispy and Juicy, you need dry heat. The absolute best way is in an air fryer set to 375°F for about 5 to 7 minutes. If you don’t have an air fryer, use your oven! Spread them on a baking sheet and heat them at 400°F for about 10 minutes. This dries out the coating just enough to make them crispy again without burning that sweet glaze.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Recipe

I know you might have a few lingering questions before you dive into making these fantastic tenders. It’s totally normal! I’ve answered the ones I get asked most often about this recipe for Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders Crispy and Juicy. Hopefully, this clears everything up so you can get cooking!

Can I Bake or Air Fry the Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders Crispy and Juicy?

You absolutely can skip the frying, but you won’t get that exact same shatteringly crisp texture that makes this recipe famous. If you must bake them, toss the floured tenders with a light spray of oil and bake at 400°F until done. For air frying, put them in a single layer, spray well, and cook at 375°F until done. Remember, you’ll need to toss them in the sauce *after* they are cooked, just like the fried ones, but the coating won’t be quite as sturdy for holding the glaze.

What if I want a milder or spicier glaze?

This glaze is wonderfully balanced, but we all have different tolerances for heat! For a milder glaze, definitely stick to just one chipotle pepper, or even scrape out the seeds and veins from the peppers before mincing them—that’s where most of the heat lives. If you want it much spicier, use 3 peppers, or add a tiny dash of cayenne pepper into your simmering sauce. A little goes a long way!

How long should I marinate the chicken?

The minimum time I insist on for the best results is 30 minutes. That gives the buttermilk and spices a chance to break down the fibers just a little bit. However, if you have time the night before, go for it! Marinating the chicken tenders overnight yields incredibly tender meat, and you still get great flavor when you make your Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders Crispy and Juicy the next day.

If you are looking for other ways to cook chicken quickly, check out my guide on garlic butter chicken tenders in 15 minutes, or perhaps you’d prefer something baked like my crispy oven baked chicken tenders. For more inspiration, you can always check out my Pinterest page for more ideas!

Nutritional Estimate for Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders Crispy and Juicy

I always like to give you a general idea of what’s in these amazing tenders, but please remember these numbers are just estimates! I calculated them based on the exact recipe amounts for 6 servings. Since we’re frying, the fat content is what it is, but boy, is it worth it for these Honey Chipotle Chicken Tenders Crispy and Juicy!

The protein content is great, making this a satisfying meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor!

Estimated Nutritional Breakdown

Keep in mind that these values can change based on the exact cut of chicken or the brand of honey you use. This is just a starting point!

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving
Calories	520
Fat	22g
Carbohydrates	48g
Protein	32g

Disclaimer: These nutritional figures are estimates only and should not be considered exact nutritional facts. Always adjust based on your specific ingredient choices.