Description
Crispy chicken tenders coated in a flavorful seasoned breadcrumb crust, pan-fried to golden perfection and tossed in a sweet and tangy honey BBQ sauce. This easy-to-make recipe offers a delicious balance of smoky, sweet, and savory flavors, perfect as an appetizer or main dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 2 pounds chicken tenders
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Honey BBQ Sauce
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray to prepare a resting surface for cooked tenders.
- Mix Seasoned Flour: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until the spices are evenly distributed within the flour.
- Prepare Egg Wash: In another bowl, crack the two eggs and add the tablespoon of milk. Whisk together until fully combined and slightly frothy to create the egg wash.
- Set Breadcrumbs: Spread the breadcrumbs evenly in a shallow dish, ready for coating the tenders.
- Coat Chicken – Flour: Dredge each chicken tender in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess to ensure an even dry coating.
- Coat Chicken – Egg Wash: Dip the floured chicken tenders into the egg wash, coating completely to help breadcrumbs adhere.
- Coat Chicken – Breadcrumbs: Roll the egg-washed tenders in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently so they stick firmly for a crispy crust.
- Heat Oil in Skillet: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering and hot enough for frying.
- Fry Chicken Tenders: Add chicken tenders carefully to the skillet, working in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Drain Excess Oil: Transfer the cooked tenders onto a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil and maintain crispiness.
- Prepare Honey BBQ Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the honey and BBQ sauce until smooth and well combined.
- Toss Tenders in Sauce: Place the fried chicken tenders in a large mixing bowl and pour the honey BBQ sauce over. Gently toss the tenders to coat evenly with the sauce.
- Serve Warm: Serve the honey BBQ chicken tenders immediately while warm, alongside your favorite dipping sides or extra sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken tenders reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- For extra crispiness, double dip the tenders by repeating the egg wash and breadcrumb steps.
- Adjust the amount of honey in the sauce to taste for a sweeter or less sweet variation.
- Vegetable oil is ideal for frying due to its high smoke point; canola or peanut oil are good alternatives.
- Serve with ranch, blue cheese dip, or extra BBQ sauce for added flavor variety.
