Description
Crispy Honey Butter Chicken Tenders offer a deliciously crunchy exterior with a sweet and buttery glaze that makes for an irresistible main course. Perfect for an easy dinner or comfort food craving, these tenders are coated in a seasoned flour mixture, dipped in egg, coated in panko breadcrumbs, and golden-fried to perfection before being drizzled with a luscious honey butter sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
For Frying and Sauce
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil, for frying
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Prepare the Breading Stations. In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. In a separate bowl, place the beaten eggs. In a third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.
- Coat the Chicken Tenders. Dredge each chicken tender first in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Next, dip the tender into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully coated. Then, press the chicken into the panko breadcrumbs until evenly coated.
- Heat the Oil. Pour the vegetable oil into a large skillet, heating it over medium heat until shimmering to prepare for frying.
- Fry the Chicken Tenders. Carefully place the coated chicken tenders in the hot oil in batches, frying each side for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Drain Excess Oil. Remove the chicken tenders from the skillet and place them on paper towels to drain any excess oil and maintain crispiness.
- Make the Honey Butter Sauce. In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over low heat. Stir in the honey until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Serve. Drizzle the warm honey butter sauce over the crispy chicken tenders just before serving for an extra layer of flavor and indulgence.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, double coat the chicken by repeating the egg and breadcrumb steps before frying.
- You can bake the chicken tenders instead of frying by oven baking at 400°F for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or spicy mayo for additional flavor.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives.
