Description
Crispy Honey Butter Chicken Tenders are a delightful blend of crunchy, golden chicken coated in a sweet and savory honey butter sauce. This recipe features tender chicken tenders breaded in panko breadcrumbs and garlic-seasoned flour, then baked or pan-fried to perfection before being tossed in a luscious sauce made from honey, garlic, soy sauce, and butter. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or main dish, these chicken tenders offer a perfect balance of flavors and textures that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 ¼ pounds boneless chicken tenderloins
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 ¼ cups panko breadcrumbs
- Olive oil spray
Honey Butter Sauce
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ⅓ cup honey
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- ⅓ cup water
- 1 teaspoon corn starch
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken tenderloins dry with paper towels. In a shallow dish, mix the flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. In another bowl, beat the eggs, and place the panko breadcrumbs in a separate shallow dish.
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge each chicken tender in the flour mixture, shaking off excess, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs. Place the coated tenders on a plate or tray.
- Cook the Chicken: Preheat a skillet over medium heat and spray olive oil generously. Cook the tenders for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Alternatively, bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crisp and cooked.
- Make the Honey Butter Sauce: In a small saucepan, whisk together soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, and water. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Dissolve the corn starch in a tablespoon of water and add to the saucepan to thicken the sauce, stirring constantly for about 1-2 minutes.
- Add Butter: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the salted butter until melted and smooth, creating a glossy honey butter sauce.
- Toss Chicken in Sauce: Place the cooked chicken tenders in a large bowl and pour the honey butter sauce over them. Toss gently to coat each tender evenly in the sauce.
- Serve: Serve immediately while hot and crispy, optionally garnished with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for extra flavor and presentation.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, double dip the chicken in egg and breadcrumbs.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to control saltiness in the sauce.
- Can be baked for a healthier alternative to pan frying.
- Ensure the sauce is hot before tossing to get a nice glaze on the chicken.
- Leftover chicken coated in sauce can be refrigerated and reheated gently to preserve texture.
