Honey BBQ chicken tenders are one of those meals I make when I want something crispy, saucy, and really satisfying. It's healthier in my mind since this isn't deep fried so I end up eating the whole plate!
What are Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders?
Honey BBQ chicken tenders are crispy breaded chicken strips coated in a homemade sticky, sweet, and smoky barbecue sauce. My version uses the air fryer, so you still get that golden crunch without all the extra oil, while the honey BBQ sauce brings that classic sweet and tangy flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Crispy without deep frying: Air fryer keeps things light but still super crunchy.
- Sweet, smoky, and saucy: The homemade honey BBQ sauce coats every bite perfectly.
- Easy weeknight meal: Simple ingredients and quick cook time make this a go-to meal!
Equipment You’ll Need
- Air Fryer
- Large Plates
- Mixing Bowl
- Medium Pan
- Tongs
Ingredients
- Chicken tenderloins: Tender cuts that cook quickly and stay juicy.
- All-purpose flour: Helps the coating stick to the chicken.
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Eggs: Helps bind the coating.
- Panko breadcrumbs: Creates a light and crispy texture.
- Oil spray: Helps the tenders crisp up in the air fryer. I like avocado oil spray for this recipe.
- Ketchup: Base for the honey BBQ sauce.
- Apple cider vinegar: Adds tanginess to balance the sweetness.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds depth and umami.
- Brown sugar: Enhances sweetness and caramel flavor.
- Honey: Gives the sauce that sticky glaze.
- Unsalted butter: Makes the sauce rich and smooth.
- Garlic powder
- Smoked paprika
- Black pepper
- Salt
Customizations
- Make it spicy: Add a little sriracha or chili flakes to the sauce for heat.
- Extra crispy: Double coat the chicken by dipping back into egg and panko again.
- Oven-friendly version: Skip the air fryer and bake until golden and crisp.
How to Make Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders
Prep the Chicken
Set up a breading station with seasoned flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs.
Coat each chicken tender in flour, dip into egg, then press into panko until fully coated.
Air Fry Until Crispy
Preheat the air fryer to 400F.
Arrange the chicken in a single layer, spray both sides with oil, and cook for 11-14 minutes until golden and cooked through.
Make the Honey BBQ Sauce
In a pan, combine ketchup, apple cider vinegar, worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, honey, butter, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt.
Simmer on medium-low heat until slightly thickened.
Toss and Serve
Add the cooked chicken tenders to the sauce and toss until evenly coated.
Serve immediately with your favorite sides!
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer to bring back the crispiness.
Tips to Make the Perfect Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders
- Don’t overcrowd: Cook in batches so the tenders crisp up evenly.
- Spray generously: Oil spray is key for that golden color in the air fryer.
- Sauce at the end: Toss right before serving so they stay crispy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make honey BBQ chicken tenders ahead of time?
You can cook the chicken ahead and store it separately, then reheat and toss in sauce right before serving.
Can I use chicken breast instead?
Yes, just slice chicken breast into strips and follow the same steps.
How do I make them extra crispy in the air fryer?
Make sure to spray enough oil and avoid stacking the chicken. You can also double coat with panko.
Can I freeze honey BBQ chicken tenders?
Freeze the cooked, unsauced chicken tenders. Reheat in the air fryer and toss in fresh sauce when ready to eat.
What can I serve with honey BBQ chicken tenders?
They go great with fries, mashed potatoes, coleslaw, or even rice for a quick meal.
Related Recipes You’ll Love
- Honey Butter Chicken Tenders
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders
- Char Siu Pork (Chinese BBQ Pork)
- Honey Butter Fried Chicken
- Honey Chili Oil Chicken Wings
Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1.5 pounds chicken tenderloins boneless
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1.5 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1.25 cups panko breadcrumbs
- Oil spray
Honey BBQ Sauce
- ⅔ cup ketchup
- 3 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
- 3 tablespoon brown sugar
- 3 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Set up a breading station for the chicken tenderloins. In one large plate, mix the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. In a second plate, add the beaten eggs. In a third plate, add the panko breadcrumbs and a pinch of salt.1.5 pounds chicken tenderloins, ½ cup all-purpose flour, 1.5 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt, Freshly cracked black pepper, 2 eggs, 1.25 cups panko breadcrumbs
- Coat each chicken tenderloin in the flour mixture, then dip it into the beaten eggs, and press it into the panko breadcrumbs until evenly coated. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400F for a few minutes. Arrange the breaded chicken tenders in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure not to overcrowd them, and cook in batches if needed. Generously spray both sides with oil spray. Air fry for 11-14 minutes until golden and cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165F.Oil spray
- While the chicken cooks, make the honey BBQ sauce. In a medium pan, add the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, honey, unsalted butter, garlic powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Simmer on medium-low heat for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.⅔ cup ketchup, 3 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 2 tablespoon worcestershire sauce, 3 tablespoon brown sugar, 3 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, ¾ teaspoon garlic powder, ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ¼ teaspoon salt
- Turn off the heat, add the cooked chicken tenders to the pan, and toss for about 30 seconds until evenly coated. Remove the chicken and save any extra sauce for drizzling.
- Serve the honey BBQ chicken tenders with mashed potatoes, veggies, or your favorite sides.
Notes
- For pan-frying, cook the breaded chicken tenders in a skillet for 4-6 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165F.
- For baking, place the breaded chicken tenders on a baking sheet, spray both sides with oil spray, and bake at 400F for 25-30 minutes until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165F.
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