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Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 94 reviews

Crispy and flavorful Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders air-fried to golden perfection and coated in a deliciously sweet and tangy homemade honey BBQ sauce. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a tasty weeknight dinner or snack, offering a healthier alternative to deep frying while maintaining great crispiness.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1½ pounds chicken tenders (or chicken breasts, cut into long strips, boneless and skinless)

Breading

  • 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

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 you prepare the chicken tenders to ensure even cooking.
  2. Prepare Breading Stations: In a shallow dish, combine flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. In a second shallow dish, beat the eggs. Place the breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish for coating.
  3. Coat Chicken Tenders: Dredge each chicken tender first in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off excess. Then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally press into the breadcrumbs until fully and evenly coated.
  4. Arrange in Air Fryer: Place the coated tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Lightly spray the tenders with cooking spray to promote crispiness. Cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
  5. Air Fry: Cook the tenders at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time, until they turn golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  6. Prepare 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. Toss and Serve: Remove the chicken tenders from the air fryer and toss them gently in the warm honey BBQ sauce to coat evenly. Alternatively, serve the sauce on the side as a dip for extra flavor. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

  • For extra crispy tenders, spray both sides of the breaded chicken with cooking spray before air frying.
  • Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will prevent even cooking and reduce crispiness.
  • Adjust the amount of honey in the BBQ sauce depending on your preferred level of sweetness.
  • If you don’t have an air fryer, bake tenders in a preheated oven at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Keywords: Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders, Air Fryer Chicken, Crispy Chicken Tenders, BBQ Chicken Recipe, Easy Chicken Dinner

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