Description
Crispy Honey Butter Chicken Tenders combine golden, crunchy chicken tenderloins with a sweet and savory honey butter sauce for an irresistible comfort food dish. Perfectly cooked in under 30 minutes, this recipe is ideal for a quick weeknight dinner that delights both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Tenders
- 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 cup 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 cornstarch
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
Instructions
- Prepare the Breading Stations: On a large plate, combine flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. In another plate, crack and beat the eggs. On a third plate, place panko breadcrumbs with a pinch of salt.
- Coat the Chicken Tenders: Dip each chicken tender into the flour mixture, then the beaten eggs, and finally press into the panko breadcrumbs ensuring full coverage. Repeat for all tenders.
- Preheat Cooking Equipment: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F or the oven to 425°F. If using the air fryer, plan to cook in two batches to prevent overcrowding. If using the oven, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook the Chicken: Arrange the coated chicken tenders on the cooking surface. Spray them generously with olive oil spray, flip, and repeat the spraying. Air fry for 10 to 12 minutes or bake for 15 to 18 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F and the tenders are crispy and golden.
- Make the Honey Butter Sauce: While the chicken cooks, whisk together soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, water, and cornstarch in a bowl until combined. Set aside.
- Cook the Sauce: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the honey butter sauce mixture and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens.
- Coat Chicken in Sauce: Add one or two cooked chicken tenders at a time into the skillet. Toss and coat evenly with the sauce. Repeat until all tenders are coated.
- Serve: Serve immediately while warm, relishing the perfect balance of crispy chicken and rich honey butter flavor.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, use panko breadcrumbs and spray with olive oil before cooking.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
- You can use regular soy sauce but opt for low-sodium to better control salt levels.
- The sauce thickens quickly, so watch carefully to avoid burning the garlic.
- Leftover tenders can be reheated in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
