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Crispy Chicken Tenders with Spicy Honey Dip

Golden brown, crispy chicken tenders served on a white plate next to a small bowl of spicy honey dip.
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Follow this recipe to make very crispy homemade chicken tenders using a double-dredge technique, served with a simple sweet and spicy honey dipping sauce.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup neutral oil (for shallow frying, or cooking spray for baking/air frying)
  • For the Dip:
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce (adjust to your heat preference)
  • 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken strips on a plate.
  2. Set up the dredging stations: In one shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. In a second dish, whisk the eggs and water together. In a third dish, place the Panko breadcrumbs.
  3. Dredge the chicken: Take one chicken strip and coat it completely in the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip it into the egg wash, letting excess drip off. Finally, press the strip firmly into the Panko breadcrumbs to coat thoroughly. Repeat for all strips.
  4. Cook the tenders (Oven Method): Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the coated tenders on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray. Bake for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. Cook the tenders (Air Fryer Method): Preheat the air fryer to 380°F (195°C). Place tenders in a single layer in the basket (work in batches). Cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and cooked through.
  6. Make the dip: While the chicken cooks, combine the honey, sriracha, apple cider vinegar, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth.
  7. Serve immediately with the spicy honey dip.

Notes

  • For extra crispiness when baking or air frying, lightly spray the tenders with oil before the final 5 minutes of cooking.
  • You can substitute gluten-free flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs for a gluten-free version.
  • Prepare the dip up to 3 days ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://magazinemeal.com/crispy-chicken-tenders-with-spicy-honey-dip/