Ingredients
Scale
- 2 fresno chiles thinly sliced
- 1 thai chile thinly sliced
- 1 cup pure honey
- Peanut oil for frying
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 & 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- splash of water
- 1 & 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Begin by preparing the hot honey. In a small saucepot, add the Fresno chiles, Thai chile, and honey.
- Set the pot over medium heat and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Lower the heat and let it cook for about 1 hour until it becomes fragrant and spicy.
- Keep an eye on the pot as it can overflow. If it bubbles too much, remove it from the heat briefly.
- After cooking, strain the hot honey through a fine mesh strainer into a medium bowl and discard the chiles. Let it sit for 30 minutes to an hour to thicken.
- While the hot honey is cooling, prepare the chicken tenders. Preheat your deep fryer to 350°F or heat oil in a dutch oven to 3 inches up the side of the pan.
- In a zipper-sealed plastic bag, combine the chicken tenders, flour, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Shake to thoroughly coat the chicken.
- In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs with a splash of water until combined.
- Place panko breadcrumbs in another shallow bowl.
- Working with one tender at a time, shake off excess flour, dip it in the egg mixture, then coat with breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere the breadcrumbs.
- Arrange the breaded tenders on a parchment-lined sheet tray and repeat until all are prepared.
- Fry the tenders in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer the fried tenders to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess grease. Place them on a wire rack set over a sheet tray to ensure crispiness. Repeat with remaining tenders.
- Serve immediately alongside the hot honey.
Notes
Store leftover hot honey in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
For a spicier kick, add more Fresno or Thai chiles to the honey mixture.
Pair with your favorite dipping sauces for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1300mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 240mg