Chicken tenders have always been a go to finger food, but we all know that they are not the healthiest dinner option! That’s why I decided to make a hot honey chicken tenders recipe that is completely gluten free and there is no frying required!
I think frying is probably my least favorite kitchen operation because it is so messy and requires a lot of time! That’s why whenever I’m making a “fried food” I always think if it can be air fried first! These chicken tenders came out perfectly crispy and juicy after 8 minutes in the air fryer.
I know you are thinking how in the heck can these chicken tenders be gluten free? Well there are actually two ways that I use to coat my tenders:
- The first way is to get a hold of some gluten free panko! I used some from Aleia’s which are made with rice flour!
- The second way I like to bread my chicken is by using Simple Mills crackers! The fun thing about using these is that they have so many flavors like cracked black pepper, sun-dried tomato, rosemary, and even cheddar. All I do is crush up the crackers and coat my tenders in the pieces.
Hot Honey Recipe
The hot honey is also completely homemade! It only requires 3 ingredients: 1-2 tbsp red pepper flakes, 2 tbsp butter, and 1/2 cup honey! Combine all the ingredients in a sauce pan until well combined.
Key ingredients for these hot honey chicken tenders:
- Chicken tenders
- I used packaged chicken tenders, but you can also cut some chicken breast into strips.
- Gluten free panko
- Spices
- I seasoned my panko mixture with salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
- Egg
- This helps keep the tenders juicy, and helps the panko stick.
Hot Honey Chicken Tenders
Equipment
- Air fryer
Ingredients
- 8-10 chicken tenders
- 1 tsp salt to season the chicken
- 1 egg
Panko Mixture
- ¾ cup gluten free panko
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
Hot Honey Butter
- 1-2 tbsp red chili flakes
- 2 tbs butter
- ½ cup honey
Instructions
- Start by seasoning both sides of the chicken with some salt.
- Then make the bread crumb mixture my mixing together the spices and the panko.
- In a separate bowl whisk together one egg.
- Now take one chicken tender and dip it in the egg mixture. Transfer that to the bread crumb mixture and coat all sides of the tender with the breadcrumbs.
- Spray your air frying with some spray oil. Then layer in your chicken tenders. Give the top another spray of oil.
- Air fry at 350F for 7-8 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- While the chicken tenders are cooking, make the hot honey butter. In a sauce pan toast up the red pepper flakes. Then add in the butter to fry the toasted pepper flakes. Finally, add in the honey, and mix until well combined.
- Remove the tenders from the air fryer and drizzle with the hot honey butter.
- Enjoy!
