If there is one recipe that perfectly balances comfort food coziness with bold, exciting flavor, it’s these Sweet & Spicy Sticky Chicken Tenders. They’re juicy, crispy, saucy, and so addictive that you’ll want to make them every week. Whether you’re cooking for family, meal-prepping for lunches, or treating yourself to a delicious homemade dinner, these chicken tenders deliver every single time.

This recipe transforms simple everyday ingredients into a restaurant-style dish with a glossy, finger-licking glaze made from honey, soy sauce, garlic, brown sugar, and a kick of chili paste. The sauce is thick, shiny, and sticky enough to cling beautifully to every piece. The chicken is lightly coated for the perfect pan-seared crispness without deep frying — making this meal lighter but still incredibly satisfying.

In this 1500+ word guide, you’ll learn exactly how to make the most irresistible Sweet & Spicy Sticky Chicken Tenders at home, along with variations, tips, serving ideas, substitution options, and all the tricks to mastering the perfect sticky glaze.

Why You’ll Love These Sweet & Spicy Sticky Chicken Tenders

1. The Perfect Balance of Flavors
The combination of sweetness from honey and brown sugar, heat from chili paste, and savory depth from soy sauce creates a harmonious flavor profile that appeals to adults and kids alike.

2. Ready in Under 30 Minutes
This entire dish—from prepping the tenders to glazing them—takes less than half an hour, making it a perfect weeknight dinner when time is tight.

3. No Deep Frying Required
The chicken tenders are pan-seared to perfection with a light cornstarch coating that creates a beautiful crust without excess oil.

4. Versatile for Any Meal
Serve them over rice, toss them into a bowl with veggies, or eat them on their own. The sticky glaze makes these tenders incredibly adaptable.

5. Meal Prep Friendly
The sauce keeps beautifully, and the chicken reheats well without losing its tenderness.

Ingredients

Chicken Tenders

1 ½ lbs chicken tenders (or sliced chicken breasts)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ cup cornstarch
2–3 tbsp oil (for pan-searing)

Sweet & Spicy Sticky Sauce

⅓ cup soy sauce
¼ cup honey
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp rice vinegar (or lime juice)
1 tbsp chili paste (adjust to taste)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp grated ginger
½ cup water
2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tsp water (slurry)

Optional Garnishes

Sesame seeds
Sliced green onions
Crushed red pepper flakes

Instructions

Season the Chicken:
Pat the chicken tenders dry and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Coat in Cornstarch:
Toss the seasoned tenders in cornstarch until fully coated. Shake off excess.
Sear the Chicken:
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken tenders and cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Make the Sauce Base:
In the same skillet, lower the heat and add soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, chili paste, garlic, ginger, and water. Stir and bring to a simmer.
Thicken the Glaze:
Add the cornstarch slurry. Cook 1–2 minutes until the sauce becomes thick and glossy.
Coat the Chicken:
Return the chicken tenders to the skillet. Toss until each piece is fully coated in sticky glaze.
Garnish & Serve:
Top with sesame seeds and green onions. Serve immediately.

Sweet & Spicy Sticky Chicken Tenders

Juicy pan-seared chicken tenders coated in a bold, glossy sweet and spicy sticky glaze.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 15

Total Time 25

Servings: 4 people

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American, Asian Fusion

Calories: 310

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

Chicken Tenders

1.5 lbs chicken tenders
0.5 tsp salt
0.5 tsp black pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
0.5 cup cornstarch
3 tbsp oil for searing

Sticky Sauce

0.33 cup soy sauce
0.25 cup honey
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp chili paste
3 cloves garlic minced
1 tsp ginger grated
0.5 cup water
2 tsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tsp water

Equipment

Skillet
Mixing bowls
Tongs
Whisk

Method

Season chicken tenders with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Coat the seasoned chicken in cornstarch and shake off excess.
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear chicken 3–4 minutes per side until cooked through.
In the same skillet, add soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, vinegar, chili paste, garlic, ginger, and water.
Simmer sauce, then add the cornstarch slurry and cook until thick and glossy.
Return chicken to skillet and toss until fully coated in sticky sauce.
Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving.

Notes

Adjust heat level by adding more chili paste or red pepper flakes.

Tips for the Best Sticky Chicken Tenders

Don’t skip the cornstarch coating — it gives the chicken the light, crisp texture that holds the glaze beautifully.

Use fresh garlic and ginger whenever possible. Their aromatic flavor is essential to the sauce’s richness.

Adjust the heat level by increasing or reducing the chili paste, adding red pepper flakes, or swapping in sriracha.

Don’t overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding lowers the pan temperature and keeps the chicken from searing.

Variations

Sweet & Spicy Sticky Chicken Bowls
Serve over jasmine rice with stir-fried veggies for a full meal.

Air Fryer Version
Air fry chicken tenders at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, then toss in glaze.

Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Serve glazed tenders in toasted brioche buns with pickles and shredded lettuce.

Honey Garlic Sticky Chicken
Skip chili paste and double the garlic for a non-spicy version.

Serving Suggestions

With steamed white rice or fried rice
Over noodles
With roasted broccoli or green beans
Sliced over salads
As a game-day appetizer
Inside tacos with cabbage slaw

Sweet & Spicy Sticky Chicken Tenders: The Ultimate Weeknight Dinner You’ll Want on Repeat

Why You’ll Love These Sweet & Spicy Sticky Chicken Tenders