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Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 147 reviews

Crispy and flavorful Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders made with a perfectly seasoned breading and coated in a sweet and tangy homemade honey BBQ sauce, cooked to golden perfection in an air fryer for a healthier twist.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Breading

  • 1½ pounds chicken tenders (or chicken breasts cut into long strips, boneless and skinless)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs (beaten)
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika

Honey BBQ Sauce

  • ½ cup BBQ sauce
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

  1. Preheat Air Fryer: Set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to preheat while preparing the chicken to ensure even cooking and a crispy exterior.
  2. Prepare Breading Stations: In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Beat the eggs in a separate shallow dish. Place the breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish for the coating process.
  3. Bread Chicken Tenders: Dredge each chicken tender in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then dip it into the beaten eggs, followed by pressing it firmly into the breadcrumbs until fully coated to create a crispy crust.
  4. Arrange Chicken in Air Fryer: Place the breaded tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket without touching to allow proper airflow. Lightly spray both sides with cooking spray to enhance crispiness. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
  5. Air Fry the Tenders: Cook the chicken tenders at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. They should turn golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure they are cooked through.
  6. Make Honey BBQ Sauce: While the chicken cooks, whisk together BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and onion powder in a small saucepan over low heat. Simmer for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce slightly thickens and flavors meld.
  7. Coat Chicken with Sauce: Once cooked, remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and either toss them gently in the honey BBQ sauce or serve the sauce on the side as a dipping option for extra flavor.

Notes

  • For extra crispy tenders, spray both sides with cooking spray before air frying.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed for even crispiness.
  • Adjust the amount of honey in the sauce to suit your preferred sweetness level.
  • If you don’t have an air fryer, bake the tenders in the oven at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden and cooked through.

Keywords: Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders, Air Fryer Chicken, Crispy Chicken Tenders, Homemade BBQ Sauce, Quick Chicken Recipe

Find it online: https://busyrecipe.com/honey-bbq-chicken-tenders-recipe/