# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken Tenders
01 - 12 chicken tenders, approximately 1.5 pounds
02 - 1 cup buttermilk
03 - 1 teaspoon hot sauce
04 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
05 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
06 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
09 - 1 teaspoon salt
10 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
12 - Cooking spray or oil for baking
→ Hot Honey Butter
13 - 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
14 - 1/4 cup honey
15 - 1 to 2 tablespoons hot sauce, to taste
16 - 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
→ Assembly
17 - 12 slider buns
18 - 1 cup sliced dill pickles
19 - 6 slices sharp cheddar cheese, halved
20 - 2 tablespoons melted butter for brushing buns
21 - 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, optional
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and lightly grease the surface.
02 - In a bowl, combine buttermilk and 1 teaspoon hot sauce. Add chicken tenders, toss thoroughly to coat, and marinate for at least 15 minutes, preferably overnight for enhanced flavor.
03 - In a shallow dish, mix flour, panko, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper until evenly combined.
04 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Dredge each tender in the flour-panko mixture, pressing firmly to ensure even coating.
05 - Arrange breaded tenders on the prepared sheet in a single layer. Lightly spray with cooking oil. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
06 - In a small saucepan, combine melted butter, honey, hot sauce, and red pepper flakes. Warm over low heat, stirring continuously, until fully combined.
07 - Once chicken is baked, brush generously with hot honey butter on both sides, ensuring thorough coverage.
08 - Lower oven temperature to 350°F.
09 - Slice slider buns horizontally, keeping bottoms and tops connected if possible. Place bottom halves in a greased 9 by 13 inch baking dish.
10 - Layer bottom bun halves with half the cheese, followed by pickles, then the hot honey butter coated chicken tenders. Drizzle with additional hot honey butter. Top with remaining cheese and cover with bun tops.
11 - Brush bun tops with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
12 - Bake uncovered for 8 to 10 minutes, until cheese is fully melted and buns are lightly toasted.
13 - Cool slightly, then pull apart and serve warm.
