Description
Crispy Honey Butter Chicken Tenders feature tender chicken coated in a flavorful seasoned crust, fried to golden perfection, and tossed in a luscious honey butter sauce with a hint of heat. This delightful dish is a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and spicy, ideal for a comforting main course that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken and Coating
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Honey Butter Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Place the chicken tenders in a bowl and add the buttermilk, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Mix well and let the chicken marinate for at least 20 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- Prepare the Coating: In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, and onion powder. Mix thoroughly to create a well-seasoned dredging mixture.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or frying pan and heat it to 350°F (175°C) to ensure proper frying temperature for a crispy exterior.
- Dredge the Chicken: Remove each chicken tender from the buttermilk marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Dredge each tender in the flour mixture, pressing firmly to coat it evenly and thoroughly for maximum crispiness.
- Fry the Chicken: Fry the chicken tenders in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Cook each batch for 4 to 6 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Transfer fried chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Make the Honey Butter Sauce: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter. Stir in honey, hot sauce (if using), red pepper flakes (if using), and 1/2 teaspoon salt until the sauce is well combined and smooth.
- Coat the Chicken: Drizzle the warm honey butter sauce over the fried chicken tenders or gently toss them in the sauce to evenly coat each piece.
- Serve: Serve the crispy honey butter chicken tenders warm, ideal for a satisfying main course or a delicious appetizer.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, double dredge the chicken by dipping back into buttermilk and flour mixture before frying.
- For a lighter option, bake chicken tenders at 400°F for 20 to 25 minutes or air fry at 375°F for 12 to 15 minutes.
- Adjust the heat level by increasing or decreasing the amount of hot sauce used in the honey butter sauce.
- Ensure oil temperature remains steady at 350°F for optimal frying results and to prevent soggy chicken.
- Use a thermometer to confirm chicken is fully cooked to avoid undercooking.
