Zesty Hot Honey Keto Chicken Tenders 🌶️
Crispy, zesty, and perfectly spiced, these keto-friendly chicken tenders are air-fried to perfection and drizzled with a sweet and spicy hot honey sauce. A fantastic low-carb option for a delicious meal!
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Shallow Dishes
- Small Saucepan
- Wire Rack
Ingredients
Chicken Tenders & Breading
- 1.5 pounds Chicken Tenders
- 1 cup Crushed Pork Rinds (or pork panko)
- 0.5 cup Almond Flour
- 1 large Egg
- 1 tablespoon Water
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika
- 0.5 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 0.25 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (optional, for extra heat)
- Salt and Black Pepper to taste
Hot Honey Sauce
- 0.25 cup Allulose Honey Substitute
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 1 tablespoon Hot Sauce (1-2 tablespoons, like Tapatio)
Instructions
- Prep the Breading Station: In a shallow dish, combine the crushed pork rinds, almond flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne (if using), and a pinch of salt and pepper. In a separate shallow dish, whisk the egg with water to create an egg wash.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken tender into the egg wash, allowing any excess to drip off. Next, roll it thoroughly in the breading mixture, gently pressing to ensure a complete, even coat. Set the coated tenders aside on a clean plate.
- Air Fry for Crispy Perfection: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F. Lightly grease the air fryer basket or racks to prevent sticking. Arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer, ensuring there's a bit of space between them for optimal crisping. You may need to cook in batches depending on your air fryer size.
- Cook Until Golden: Air fry the tenders for 8-10 minutes, making sure to flip them over halfway through cooking. They should turn a beautiful golden color and be cooked through (an instant-read thermometer should show 165°F). Transfer them to a wire rack when done.
- Whip Up the Hot Honey Sauce: While the chicken is cooking, combine the allulose honey, butter, and hot sauce in a small saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently, until it's smooth and slightly warm.
- Drizzle and Serve: Generously drizzle the warm hot honey sauce over your freshly cooked, crispy chicken tenders. Serve immediately and savor every delicious bite!
Notes
Optional Oven Method: Prepare tenders as above. Preheat oven to 425°F (or 400°F convection). Place on a lightly greased baking rack set over a sheet pan. Bake 18-22 minutes, flipping once, until cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
Nutrition per serving: Calories: 430, Total Carbs: 3g, Net Carbs: 1.6g, Fats: 20.4g, Protein: 47.9g.
