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Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders Recipe

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4.4 from 10 reviews

Crispy and flavorful Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders made with tender chicken coated in a seasoned breadcrumb crust, air fried to perfection, then tossed in a sticky, sweet, and tangy honey BBQ sauce. This easy 25-minute recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or game day snack.

  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

For the Chicken Tenders

  • 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

For the 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: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) to ensure even cooking and crispy texture for the chicken tenders.
  2. Prepare Dredging Stations: In a shallow dish, mix together 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.
  3. Coat the Chicken: Dredge each chicken tender in the seasoned flour, shaking off any excess. Dip into the beaten eggs, then coat evenly with breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
  4. Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the breaded chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket, making sure they don’t touch. You may need to cook in batches depending on air fryer size. Lightly spray the tenders with cooking spray for extra crispiness.
  5. Cook Chicken: Cook the tenders at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes. Flip the tenders halfway through cooking to ensure even browning and crispiness.
  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. Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sauce thickens slightly.
  7. Remove and Toss: Once cooked through and golden brown, remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer. Toss them gently in the honey BBQ sauce until evenly coated, or serve the sauce on the side as a dip.
  8. Serve: Serve the Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders immediately for the best crispy texture and flavor.

Notes

  • You can use chicken breasts cut into strips if tenders aren’t available.
  • Cooking times may vary based on air fryer model; check internal temperature to ensure chicken is 165°F (74°C).
  • For extra crispiness, spray the tenders lightly with oil before air frying.
  • The sauce can be adjusted in sweetness and tanginess by varying honey and vinegar amounts.
  • Leftover chicken tenders can be reheated in the air fryer to maintain crispiness.
  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American

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