Description
These Honey Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders are oven-baked to golden perfection — crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and coated in a sweet, caramel-like glaze that makes every bite irresistible. With just a few pantry staples, you can whip up a family favorite that’s easy, mess-free, and totally addictive.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken tenders (about 8 pieces)
⅓ cup dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons honey (plus extra for drizzling)
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
Nonstick cooking spray
Optional add-ins: pinch of cayenne pepper, garlic powder, or smoked paprika for extra flavor.
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat with nonstick spray.
In a shallow bowl, whisk together brown sugar, honey, and salt until smooth and glossy.
Dip each chicken tender into the honey mixture, coating evenly but not too thickly.
Add panko breadcrumbs to a large zip-top bag. Drop in a few coated tenders, seal, and shake gently to cover.
Arrange coated tenders on the baking sheet, spacing them out. Lightly spray the tops with oil.
Bake for 15–20 minutes, turning once halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
Drizzle with extra honey before serving, and enjoy warm!
Notes
For extra crunch, broil the tenders for 1–2 minutes at the end — watch closely to avoid burning.
Swap honey for maple syrup or agave for a twist on the sweetness.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat in the oven or air fryer for best results.
To make ahead, prep and coat the chicken up to 24 hours before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2–3 tenders
- Calories: ~410 kcal
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 270 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: honey brown sugar chicken tenders, baked chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, sweet chicken recipe, easy weeknight dinner
