Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken

Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken – crispy breaded chicken tenders with a 5-ingredient hot honey spicy-sweet lemon pepper glaze. Easy air fryer recipe using very little oil.

hot sauce

chicken thighs

 

Spicy-sweet juicy crispy boneless chicken tenders – appetizer or main dish – this chicken will be a hit with anyone who loves a little kick.

Boneless chicken breaded in crushed Corn Flakes, air fried to crisp and tossed in my simple hot honey lemon pepper glaze. The tangy lemon-spicy-sweet honey combo is one you won’t want to sleep on.

Why this recipe works:

• Cooks in under 10 minutes!
• Loaded with sticky, sweet-spicy flavor.
• Appetizer or main dish
• Cooks completely in the air fryer – no heating up the oven or splattering grease on the stove.

Ingredients needed to make Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken:

The hot sauce:

1. honey
2. buffalo sauce
3. crushed red pepper flakes
4. lemon pepper seasoning
5. butter

The chicken:

• boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in strips (or chicken tenders)
• corn flakes crushed
• all purpose flour
• lemon pepper seasoning
• eggs
• Olive oil cooking spray

NOTE: you can buy Corn Flakes already crushed or buy a box of cereal and crush it yourself. Just add to a zip top bag and use a rolling pin.

Miscellaneous:

• nonstick cooking spray
• large bowl to drizzle hot honey glaze over cooked chicken

What is lemon pepper seasoning?

Lemon Pepper Seasoning is a one-stop blend of black pepper, salt and dried lemon zest for delicious peppery citrus flavor (some brands add onion, celery seed and a few other ingredients).  It’s readily available in most grocery stores.

How to make Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders:

Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or wax paper then set aside. This is your holding station for the breaded chicken before you air fry.

The sauce:

Add glaze ingredients – honey, buffalo sauce, crushed red pepper flakes, lemon pepper seasoning and butter to a small saucepan over medium heat.

Bring to a soft boil for 1 minute then remove from the heat. Taste and adjust for spice level (add more crushed red pepper or some ground cayenne if you like it hotter) then let it cool (sauce will thicken slightly as it cools).

The chicken:

Cut the chicken into strips then set up a dredging station in two bowls:

In the first bowl whisk the eggs and water together.

YouIn the second bowl whisk crushed Corn Flakes cereal, flour and lemon pepper seasoning.

Dip the chicken into the egg shaking off any excess, then dredge in the cereal mixture, back into the egg a second time and finish in the cereal mixture (egg, cereal, egg, cereal).

Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.

NOTE: the breading can be a little sticky in parts but will crisp up when air fried.

Air frying the chicken:

Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees then spray the air fryer basket with nonstick cooking spray.

Add breaded chicken to the basket in a single layer. Lightly spray the top of the chicken with cooking spray then air fry for 4 minutes.

Carefully turn the chicken pieces over and cook another 2-4 minutes until they’re cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Glazing the chicken:

Transfer cooked chicken to large bowl. Drizzle half of the honey over the top, turning to coat the chicken.

Place the chicken on a plate. Drizzle the remaining hot honey lemon pepper sauce over the top, add a light sprinkle of salt then eat right away.

Storage and reheating Hot Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken:

Store any leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

Reheat in the air fryer or microwave.

Tips, variations and FAQ:

• Chicken thighs can be subbed for breasts.
• For extra spicy chicken add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the hot honey sauce.
• Work in batches if necessary so you don’t crowd the air fryer basket. Keep cooked chicken warm on a baking sheet in a 200° oven.
• Salted or unsalted butter can be used (whatever you normally buy).
• Optional garnish: fresh parsley or thinly sliced green onions.

More popular spicy chicken recipes:

Air Fryer Chicken Wings

Crispy Baked Chicken Wings

Air Fryer Boneless Buffalo Chicken

Ready to try this Hot Honey Chicken recipe? Full details in the printable recipe card below.

Enjoy!