Description
Crispy Honey Butter Chicken Tenders are golden-fried chicken strips coated in a crunchy flour and cornstarch batter, then tossed in a luscious honey butter sauce with a hint of soy and optional chili flakes for a sweet and savory flavor combination. Perfect for a satisfying main course, these tenders deliver a delightful balance of crispy texture and rich, buttery sweetness.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Tenders
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Honey Butter Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Coating Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika until well combined. This mixture will create the flavorful and crispy coating for the chicken tenders.
- Mix Egg and Buttermilk: In a separate bowl, whisk the beaten eggs and buttermilk together. This wet mixture helps the coating adhere to the chicken and add moisture.
- Coat the Chicken Tenders: Dip each chicken tender first into the flour mixture, then into the egg and buttermilk mixture, and again into the flour mixture. This double-dip ensures a thick, crispy crust when fried.
- Heat the Oil: Pour about 2 inches of vegetable oil into a deep skillet and heat it to 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer to maintain the temperature for even frying.
- Fry the Chicken Tenders: Fry the coated chicken tenders in batches, being careful not to crowd the pan, for 4 to 5 minutes until they are golden brown, crispy, and cooked through. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.
- Make the Honey Butter Sauce: In a small saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Stir in the honey and soy sauce and cook for about 1 minute until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened. Add chili flakes if desired for a spicy kick.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Quickly toss the hot fried chicken tenders in the warm honey butter sauce until they are evenly coated and glistening.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the chicken tenders to a serving plate. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if using, and serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a lighter version, bake the chicken tenders at 400 degrees F for about 20 minutes or air fry at 375 degrees F for 12 to 14 minutes until crispy.
- Serve with sides like coleslaw, fries, or a fresh salad to complete the meal.
- Maintaining oil temperature is important for crispy tenders and to avoid greasy chicken.
- Adjust the amount of chili flakes based on your heat preference.
