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Spicy Crispy Hot Honey Lemon Feta Chicken Tenders Recipe

Spicy Crispy Hot Honey Lemon Feta Chicken Tenders Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 24 reviews

These Spicy Crispy Hot Honey Lemon Feta Chicken Tenders are a flavorful twist on classic fried chicken tenders. Marinated in a buttermilk and hot sauce mixture, coated in a seasoned flour and cornstarch blend for extra crispiness, then fried to golden perfection. They are finished with a zesty hot honey lemon sauce and topped with crumbly feta cheese and fresh parsley, delivering a perfect balance of heat, sweetness, tang, and creamy saltiness.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken

  • 500g chicken tenders
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp hot sauce
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • Oil for frying (vegetable or canola oil)

For the Hot Honey Lemon Sauce

  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1 tbsp hot sauce
  • 1 tsp chili flakes
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp butter

For the Feta Finish

  • 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine the buttermilk and hot sauce thoroughly. Add the chicken tenders and ensure they are fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate and tenderize the chicken.
  2. Prepare the Coating: In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper until evenly combined. This mixture creates a crispy, flavorful crust.
  3. Coat the Chicken: Remove the chicken tenders from the marinade, letting any excess liquid drip off. Dredge each tender thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to ensure an even and firm coating that will stay crisp during frying.
  4. Fry the Chicken: Heat oil in a deep pan or fryer to 175°C (350°F). Carefully place the coated chicken tenders in the hot oil, frying them for 4–5 minutes until they turn golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F). Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  5. Make the Sauce: In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the honey, hot sauce, chili flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, and butter. Stir continuously until the butter melts and the mixture is warm and slightly thickened to a sauce consistency. Remove from heat.
  6. Assemble: Arrange the crispy chicken tenders on a serving plate. Drizzle the hot honey lemon sauce evenly over the chicken to coat each piece with a spicy-sweet glaze.
  7. Finish with Feta: Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese generously over the sauced chicken and scatter the chopped fresh parsley on top for a fresh, herbaceous finish.
  8. Serve: Serve immediately while hot and crispy, optionally accompanied by extra lemon wedges for squeezing over the tenders.

Notes

  • For extra heat, increase the amount of cayenne pepper and chili flakes to your preference.
  • Make sure the oil temperature stays consistent at 175°C (350°F) to achieve the perfect crispy texture without greasy chicken.
  • The buttermilk marinade tenderizes the chicken and adds flavor; avoid skipping this step for best results.
  • If you want a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
  • Use fresh lemon juice and zest for the most vibrant flavor in the sauce.
  • Serve with a side of cooling ranch or blue cheese dip if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken tenders, spicy chicken, crispy chicken, hot honey sauce, feta chicken, lemon chicken, fried chicken recipe, homemade chicken tenders, spicy honey chicken

Find it online: https://maicook.com/spicy-crispy-hot-honey-lemon-feta-chicken-tenders-recipe/