Description
Crispy Honey Butter Chicken Tenders are perfectly fried chicken strips coated in a flavorful blend of spices, flour, eggs, and panko breadcrumbs, then drizzled with a luscious honey butter sauce. This easy American recipe combines a crispy golden exterior with a sweet, buttery finish making it an irresistible main course or snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Honey Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup honey
For Frying
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, gently toss the chicken tenders with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika to season evenly.
- Prepare the Coating Stations: Set up three shallow bowls – one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs. This will be your dredging station.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken tender first into the flour, ensuring a light coat, then into the beaten eggs, and finally press into the panko breadcrumbs until fully coated on all sides.
- Heat the Oil: In a large skillet, pour about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil and heat over medium heat until shimmering but not smoking.
- Fry the Tenders: Fry the chicken tenders in batches, cooking for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Avoid crowding the pan for even cooking.
- Drain: Remove fried tenders with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Make Honey Butter Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt butter over low heat then stir in honey until smooth and combined. Keep warm.
- Coat with Sauce: Drizzle the honey butter sauce over the fried chicken tenders or gently toss them in the sauce to coat evenly just before serving.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can bake the coated tenders at 400°F (204°C) for 10-12 minutes after frying.
- Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the honey butter sauce for a sweet-spicy kick.
- Serve with dipping sauces such as ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue for added flavor variety.
