Honey Sriracha Chicken Tenders: The Perfect Weeknight Meal!
Craving something sweet, spicy, and incredibly easy to make? Look no further than these mouthwatering Honey Sriracha Chicken Tenders! This recipe is a total game-changer for busy weeknights, promising a flavor explosion that the whole family will love. Tender chicken, coated in a sticky, savory sauce, cooked to perfection in your air fryer, oven, or even slow cooker – it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Forget takeout, these are healthier, tastier, and ready in a flash!
Why You’ll Love This Honey Sriracha Chicken Tenders
- Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes – perfect for busy weeknights.
- Flavor Explosion: The sweet honey and spicy sriracha create an irresistible flavor combination.
- Versatile: Cook them in the air fryer, oven, or even your crockpot.
- Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters will love the delicious balance of flavors.
- Healthy(ish): A better alternative to fried chicken, especially when air-fried.
- Budget-Friendly: Uses simple ingredients that won’t break the bank, making it one of our go to cheap dinners for a family.
Ingredients for Honey Sriracha Chicken Tenders
- 1.5 lbs Chicken Tenders
- 1/4 cup Honey
- 2 tablespoons Sriracha (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1 tablespoon Soy Sauce (low sodium preferred)
- 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Ginger Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes (optional, for extra heat)
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Substitutions:
- Honey: Maple syrup or agave nectar can be substituted for a vegan option.
- Soy Sauce: Tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option.
How to Make Honey Sriracha Chicken Tenders
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels. This helps them get nice and crispy, especially if you’re using an air fry recipe. Season with salt and pepper.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, sriracha, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic powder, ginger powder, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken tenders to the bowl with the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to an hour in the refrigerator.
- Cook in the Air Fryer (Preferred): Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease the air fryer basket with olive oil. Place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd. You may need to cook in batches. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. These are great additions to your rotation of air fryer meals.
- Cook in the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the marinated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through, flipping halfway through.
- Cook in a Crockpot: Place chicken tenders in the crockpot and pour the honey sriracha sauce over the top. Cook on low for 2-3 hours or high for 1-2 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve: Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer, oven or crockpot and serve immediately.
Pro Tips & Variations
- Don’t Overcrowd: Whether you’re using the air fryer or oven, make sure to cook the chicken tenders in a single layer to ensure even cooking and maximum crispiness.
- Adjust the Spice: Feel free to adjust the amount of sriracha to your liking. Start with less and add more until you reach your desired level of heat.
- Marinating Time: While 15 minutes of marinating is sufficient, allowing the chicken to marinate for longer (up to an hour) will result in a more flavorful dish.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Crispy Chicken: For extra crispy chicken add 1/4 cup cornstarch to the chicken and toss to coat before marinating.
These Honey Sriracha Chicken Tenders are such easy healthy dinner option!
Serving Suggestions
These versatile chicken tenders are a fantastic main course that pairs well with a variety of sides. Here are a few suggestions to complete your meal:
- Rice or Quinoa: A simple grain provides a great base to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Roasted Vegetables: Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or bell peppers are excellent choices.
- Coleslaw: Adds a refreshing crunch to balance the richness of the chicken.
- Salad: A light salad with a vinaigrette dressing can be a great counterpoint to the sweet and spicy flavors.
- Sweet Potato Fries: A classic pairing that’s always a hit, and an air fry recipes that is quick to make in your air frier!
Storage & Reheating
Storage:
- Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- For longer storage, you can freeze the cooked chicken tenders for up to 2 months. Allow to cool completely before freezing.
Reheating:
- Air Fryer: Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through. This is the best way to maintain the crispiness.
- Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes, or until heated through.
- Microwave: While convenient, the microwave can make the chicken tenders a bit soggy. Reheat in short intervals, checking frequently.
FAQ about Honey Sriracha Chicken Tenders
Q: Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders?
A: Yes, you can use chicken breasts. Cut them into 1-inch strips and follow the same instructions. Keep an eye on cooking time, as chicken breasts may take a little longer to cook through. You can also make crockpot meals with cut up chicken breast!
Q: Can I make these in advance?
A: Absolutely! You can marinate the chicken tenders in the sauce up to 24 hours in advance. This allows the flavors to meld together even more, resulting in an even more delicious dish.
Q: Are these Honey Sriracha Chicken Tenders spicy?
A: The level of spiciness depends on the amount of sriracha you use. Start with a smaller amount and add more to taste. You can also omit the red pepper flakes altogether for a milder flavor. These are easy weeknight dinners, perfect for beginner cooks!
Q: Can I make this recipe vegan?
A: Yes, you can! Substitute the chicken tenders with firm tofu, cut into strips. Also, replace the honey with maple syrup or agave, and the soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to make the dish vegan and gluten-free.
Q: What is the best kind of sriracha in these Air Fryer Food recipies?
A: There’s no one “best” kind – it really comes down to personal preference! Some brands are spicier or tangier than others. Experiment with a few different ones to find your favorite. Huy Fong is a classic choice, but feel free to explore other options too.
Final Thoughts on Honey Sriracha Chicken Tenders
These Honey Sriracha Chicken Tenders are the perfect blend of sweet, spicy, and savory, making them a guaranteed crowd-pleaser for any occasion. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, a flavorful appetizer, or a dish to impress your friends and family, this recipe has you covered. Don’t forget to save this recipe to your Pinterest board for easy access later and share it with your friends! We’d love to hear your feedback, so please leave a comment below with your thoughts and any variations you try. And be sure to subscribe to our blog for more delicious and easy recipes!
Honey Sriracha Chicken Tenders
Equipment
- Air Fryer,
- oven
- Crockpot
Ingredients
Chicken Tenders
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenders
Sauce Ingredients
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 tablespoons sriracha adjust to your spice preference
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce low sodium preferred
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional, for extra heat
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels. This helps them get nice and crispy, especially if you’re using an air fry recipe. Season with salt and pepper.
- Make the Sauce: In a medium bowl, whisk together the honey, sriracha, soy sauce, rice vinegar, garlic powder, ginger powder, and red pepper flakes (if using).
- Marinate the Chicken: Add the chicken tenders to the bowl with the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to an hour in the refrigerator.
- Cook in the Air Fryer (Preferred): Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease the air fryer basket with olive oil. Place the chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd. You may need to cook in batches. Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. These are great additions to your rotation of air fryer meals.
- Cook in the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the marinated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through, flipping halfway through.
- Cook in a Crockpot: Place chicken tenders in the crockpot and pour the honey sriracha sauce over the top. Cook on low for 2-3 hours or high for 1-2 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Serve: Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer, oven or crockpot and serve immediately.
