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Crispy Chicken Tenders Recipe with Honey Mustard for Easy Perfect Crunch

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These crispy chicken tenders feature a golden, crunchy crust and juicy chicken inside, paired perfectly with a sweet and tangy honey mustard dipping sauce. Quick and easy to make, they are perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or game days.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 pounds fresh, skinless chicken breast tenders
  • 1 cup buttermilk (240 ml), for marinating
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (120 g)
  • ½ cup cornstarch (60 g)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 2 large eggs, beaten, room temperature
  • 2–3 cups vegetable oil (peanut or canola oil recommended) for frying
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Place the chicken tenders in a large bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the fridge. (If short on time, even 15 minutes helps.)
  2. In a shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Whisk together until evenly mixed.
  3. In another bowl, beat the 2 large eggs until smooth.
  4. Pour vegetable oil into a skillet or deep fryer to a depth of about 2 inches. Heat over medium-high heat to 350°F (175°C), using a thermometer to check the temperature.
  5. Remove a chicken tender from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dip it into the beaten eggs, then coat thoroughly with the flour mixture. Press the coating gently so it adheres well. Set aside on a plate or wire rack. Repeat for all tenders.
  6. Carefully place tenders into the hot oil without overcrowding. Fry for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C). Flip carefully with tongs. Maintain oil temperature at 350°F between batches.
  7. Remove tenders with tongs and place on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain and keep crispy. Let rest for a few minutes.
  8. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, and lemon juice until smooth. Adjust sweetness or tanginess to taste.
  9. Serve the crispy chicken tenders hot with the honey mustard sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

Use cornstarch in the dredge for extra crispiness. Maintain oil temperature at 350°F to avoid greasy or burnt tenders. Rest coated tenders 10 minutes before frying to help crust adhere. Drain fried tenders on a wire rack to keep crisp. To keep warm without losing crunch, place tenders on a wire rack in a 200°F oven for up to 20 minutes. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free all-purpose flour blend and cornstarch with arrowroot powder. Dairy-free marinade can be made with coconut or almond milk plus apple cider vinegar.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken tenders, honey mustard, fried chicken, easy chicken recipe, family dinner, comfort food, quick chicken tenders

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