Introduction

Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders are a deliciously crispy and flavorful treat perfect for any meal or snack. Coated in a seasoned breadcrumb crust and tossed in a sweet and tangy honey BBQ sauce, these tenders are sure to be a hit with the whole family.

A black plate holds a pile of eight chicken wings covered in thick, glossy reddish-brown sauce with a shiny texture. The wings have a slightly crispy skin showing under the sauce and are sprinkled evenly with white sesame seeds and small green herb leaves. Around the plate and on the white marbled surface, scattered bright green herb leaves add fresh color contrast. In the top left corner, there is a white bowl partially visible filled with a similar thick sauce topped with sesame seeds. The scene is bright with soft natural light highlighting the glistening sauce and textures on the wings, giving a fresh, appetizing look. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

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
1 cup honey
1 cup BBQ sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with cooking spray.
Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir until the spices are evenly mixed with the flour.
Step 3: In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until fully combined and slightly frothy.
Step 4: Spread the breadcrumbs evenly in a shallow dish.
Step 5: Dredge each chicken tender in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess, then dip into the egg mixture, coating fully.
Step 6: Roll each tender in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
Step 7: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Step 8: Cook the tenders in batches to avoid overcrowding, frying for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).
Step 9: Drain the cooked tenders on a paper towel-lined plate.
Step 10: Mix the honey and BBQ sauce together in a small bowl until smooth.
Step 11: Place the tenders in a large bowl, pour the honey BBQ sauce over them, and toss gently to coat evenly.
Step 12: Serve immediately while warm with your favorite sides or extra sauce.

Tips & Variations

For extra crunch, use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs.
Swap vegetable oil for olive oil or avocado oil for a different flavor profile.
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the flour mixture for a spicy kick.
Try baking the tenders on a greased rack at 400°F for 15-20 minutes for a lighter version.

Storage

Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes to maintain crispiness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the coating soggy.

How to Serve

A black round plate holds about twelve pieces of glazed chicken wings arranged in layers. The chicken wings are covered in a shiny, sticky brown sauce mixed with small yellow corn kernels and red bell pepper bits. Fresh green parsley leaves are scattered on top, adding color contrast. The plate sits on a white marbled surface, with a few parsley sprigs, black peppercorns, and bowls of cherry tomatoes and coarse salt placed around it. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken tenders for this recipe?

Yes, but be sure to fully thaw and pat them dry before breading to ensure even coating and proper cooking.

What can I serve with Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders?

They pair well with coleslaw, fries, a simple salad, or steamed vegetables. Extra honey BBQ sauce for dipping is always a great addition.

Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 135 reviews

These Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders are crispy, golden fried chicken tenders tossed in a sweet and smoky honey BBQ sauce. Perfect as a flavorful appetizer or a delicious main dish, they combine a perfectly seasoned breading with the rich taste of honey and barbecue sauce for a crowd-pleasing meal.

Author: Ruby
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Main Dish
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Breading

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

Sauce and Cooking

1 cup honey
1 cup BBQ sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

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.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir well to evenly distribute the spices throughout the flour.
Make Egg Wash: In another bowl, crack the two eggs and add the tablespoon of milk. Whisk together until fully combined and slightly frothy.
Prepare Breadcrumbs: Place the breadcrumbs in a shallow dish, spreading them out evenly for easy coating.
Coat Chicken in Flour: Take each chicken tender and dredge it first in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring an even coating. Shake off any excess flour.
Dip in Egg Wash: Dip the floured chicken tenders into the egg wash, coating them fully with the liquid.
Coat with Breadcrumbs: Roll the egg-coated tenders in the breadcrumbs, pressing gently to help them stick and form a crispy crust.
Heat Oil for Frying: Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Fry Chicken Tenders: Carefully place the breaded chicken tenders into the hot skillet, cooking in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding. Fry each side for about 3-4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Drain Excess Oil: Remove the cooked tenders and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
Prepare Honey BBQ Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together the honey and BBQ sauce until smooth and well combined.
Toss Chicken in Sauce: Place the fried tenders into a large mixing bowl, pour the honey BBQ sauce over them, and gently toss to coat evenly.
Serve: Serve the honey BBQ chicken tenders immediately while warm with your favorite dipping sides or extra sauce on the side.

Notes

For extra crispiness, you can double dip the chicken in the egg wash and breadcrumbs.
Use a thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
Adjust sweetness by adding more or less honey in the BBQ sauce to taste.
This recipe can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
Leftover tenders can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated.

Keywords: Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders, crispy chicken tenders, fried chicken, chicken recipes, honey BBQ sauce, easy chicken recipe