Sweet and Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders
+7 photos

Sweet and Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders

4 servings
The tenders can be cooked by either baking or frying. Baking is healthier and frying is crispier. Since tossing the tenders in the sauce will reduce the crispiness a bit, we've written the recipe up with the baking instructions. For frying, cook the tenders in oil that is about 375°F for about 3-5 minutes per side, or until golden and cooked through. Here's more detailed instructions on our sister site for fried chicken tenders.The garlic in the sauce comes from the chili garlic sauce. If you like it more garlicky, you can always add more some crushed/minced garlic or garlic powder to the tenders when seasoning them, or to the sauce.

Ingredients

  • boneless skinless chicken breast

    or chicken tenderloins

    2 lb
  • panko bread crumbs)

    (or regular bread crumbs

    1 c
  • eggs
    2
  • all-purpose flour

    , or more if needed

    ¾ c
  • kosher salt
    1 tsp
  • fresh cracked black pepper
    to taste
  • optional additional seasonings)

    (additional salt & pepper, crushed or minced garlic, garlic powder, smoked paprika, etc.

  • ketchup
    ½ c
  • honey
    ½ c
  • soy sauce)

    (or fish sauce cause it tastes better! fish sauce will be saltier, start with 2-3 tablespoons

    ¼ c
  • chili garlic sauce)

    or any hot sauce (optional

    1 tbsp
  • fresh lime juice

    or rice vinegar

    2 tbsp
  • cornstarch
    1 tsp

Directions

  1. 1

    Pre-heat oven to 425°F (220°C). Prepare 1-2 baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

    Step 1
  2. 2

    If using chicken breasts, cut into thin strips. The thicker they are, the longer they take to cook. Make sure the strips are consistently sized so that you get even baking. Optional-For a well-seasoned tender, coat the chicken with salt, pepper, and/or any other seasonings you enjoy (crushed garlic, garlic powder, paprika. etc).

    Step 2
  3. 3

    In a bowl, add panko or breadcrumbs. In another bowl, beat the eggs. In a third bowl combine flour, teaspoon of salt, and black pepper.Dredge each strip of chicken in flour, then egg, then Panko or breadcrumbs. Lay coated chicken strips on sheet pan. Repeat for all chicken strips.

    Step 3
  4. 4

    Bake chicken strips at 425°F (220°C) for about 15 minutes. Flip the chicken strips to the other side up.

    Step 4
  5. 5

    Continue to bake for another 5-10 minutes or until crisp and cooked through.

    Step 5
  6. 6

    While the chicken is baking, make the sauce. In bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients: ketchup, honey, soy sauce (or fish sauce), chili garlic sauce, fresh lime juice or rice vinegar, and cornstarch.

    Step 6
  7. 7

    Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add half of the chicken strips and half of the sauce. Toss to coat and cook for about 30 seconds to 1 minutes on each side or until the chicken strips soak up the sauce on both sides and become sticky. Repeat with remainder of sauce and chicken strips. (Cooking Tip: Don't let the pan get too hot because if the pan becomes too hot, it dries up the sauce and becomes too sticky.)

    Step 7
Sweet and Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders
+7

Sweet and Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders

4.8(64)40 min4 servings537 cal

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Based on 64 ratings

whiteonricecouple.com
4.8(64 reviews)
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About this Recipe

Ready to master the art of homemade Sweet and Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders that rival your favorite restaurant appetizer? This recipe delivers that irresistible balance of sweet, savory, and a hint of spice you crave, all from your own kitchen.

What makes these chicken tenders truly special is the perfect balance of a rich, sweet, and sticky honey garlic sauce that coats every piece. The recipe offers a choice between baking for a healthier option or frying for extra crispiness, ensuring you get the texture you desire without compromising on flavor. Plus, there are simple tricks to boost the garlicky goodness to your preference.

Prepare for a delightful experience with juicy, tender chicken enveloped in a glossy, vibrant sauce. The chicken itself can be deliciously crisp if fried, or perfectly tender and golden if baked. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of sweet honey, savory soy (or the deeper umami of fish sauce), and a subtle kick from chili garlic. It's a dish that's sure to be a hit, easy enough for a casual get-together yet impressive enough for a special treat.

This recipe is wonderfully adaptable to your preferences. You can easily swap boneless skinless chicken breast for chicken tenderloins. For the crispy coating, either panko bread crumbs or regular bread crumbs work beautifully. The sauce allows for flexibility too: use soy sauce or experiment with fish sauce for a deeper umami flavor, adjusting for its saltiness. Fresh lime juice can be interchanged with rice vinegar, and for an extra garlicky punch, feel free to add more crushed or minced garlic, or garlic powder, to the chicken when seasoning or directly to the sauce. If you prefer a milder heat, any hot sauce can stand in for chili garlic sauce.

These Sweet and Sticky Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders are perfect as a crowd-pleasing appetizer, sure to disappear quickly at any gathering.

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