Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders Recipe :- These air fryer or oven-baked crispy Nashville hot chicken tenders are made without using any oil and are coated in a sweet and spicy sauce. A really simple gluten-free appetizer or midweek supper!
Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders Recipe
I adore chicken tenders, but only if they are really crispy! I’m thrilled to share this recipe for super crispy and crunchy Nashville hot chicken tenders that you can bake in the oven without using any oil or fried in an air fryer. The chicken is spicy and sweet, making it the ideal dish for lunch or dinner on Game Day!
These spicy, sweet, and sticky chicken tenders are coated in a Nashville hot honey glaze. These make the ideal appetiser, main course, or finger food during football season.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds chicken tenders (8 – 10 pieces) or 3 chicken breasts cut into tenders
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour, gluten-free if needed
- 3 tbsp cornstarch, (substitute with arrowroot starch or tapioca flour)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ⅓ cup Panko breadcrumbs, whole wheat or gluten-free if needed
Nashville Hot Sauce:
- ¼ – ⅓ cup hot sauce, I love Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
- 1 tbsp melted unsalted butter
- 2 – 3 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp ground cayenne
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
ALSO SEE
Instructions
Set a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper on it and preheat the oven to 425°F. Alternately, set your air fryer to 380°F.
Place the cornstarch and flour in a small, shallow basin. Beat the eggs in a second shallow basin. Add the panko, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a third shallow bowl.
Remove all the tendons and fat from the chicken tenders. Alternatively, slice the skinless, boneless chicken breasts into 1-inch-thick strips.
One by one, coat each chicken tender thoroughly with flour, shake off any excess, and work your way down the line. Next, submerge it in the eggs, and lastly, coat it with panko breadcrumbs. Coat the chicken completely with the panko using your hands.
With the remaining tenders, repeat step 4 one more.
Oven: Transfer the breaded chicken tenders to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, then lightly mist with cooking spray. Bake for 10 to 14 minutes, or until the chicken is 165°F inside and golden and crispy.
How to bake oil-free, healthful chicken tenders
Air fryer: After preheating the air fryer basket, place the breaded chicken tenders inside and lightly mist with cooking spray. For 8 to 11 minutes, air fried the chicken at 380°F until it is golden and crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
How to make your own air-fried chicken tenders
In the meantime, put all the ingredients for the hot glaze sauce in a dish that is safe to microwave for 20 to 30 seconds. Once the chicken is cooked, cover the tenders with the heated honey and sprinkle it over them before eating!
Nutrition
- Calories: 357kcal
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Protein: 27g
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3g
- Cholesterol: 147mg
- Sodium: 984mg
- Potassium: 331mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 8g
- Vitamin A: 701IU
- Vitamin C: 0.2mg
- Calcium: 52mg
- Iron: 2mg
