Nothing beats the combination of crispy chicken and sticky-sweet honey BBQ sauce when you’re craving comfort food. These honey BBQ chicken tenders deliver restaurant-quality flavor right from your kitchen, with a perfectly seasoned coating that stays crunchy and juicy meat that practically melts in your mouth.
Whether you’re feeding hungry kids, hosting game day, or just want an easy chicken tenders recipe that never fails to impress, this dish checks all the boxes. The homemade honey BBQ glaze takes these crispy chicken tenders from good to absolutely irresistible, with the perfect balance of sweet honey, tangy vinegar, and smoky barbecue flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders Recipe
Quick and Family-Friendly: Ready in under 40 minutes with ingredients you likely have on hand, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Customizable Heat Level: Easily adjust the spice to suit everyone’s taste preferences, from mild and kid-friendly to fiery hot.
Crispy Perfection: The double-dredging technique creates an ultra-crispy coating that stays crunchy even after saucing.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Components can be prepped in advance for even quicker assembly on busy nights.
This recipe yields approximately 2 pounds of crispy chicken tenders – perfect for feeding a hungry family or having leftovers for meal prep. The hands-on cooking time is minimal, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you want something special without the stress.
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Best Crispy Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders (Better Than Takeout!)
Description
Crispy, golden honey BBQ chicken tenders recipe with sticky-sweet glaze! Double-breaded for maximum crunch, ready in 40 minutes. Get the full recipe now!
For the Chicken Tenders
For the Honey BBQ Sauce
Instructions
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Season chicken and marinate in 1 cup buttermilk and hot sauce for at least 30 minutes in the fridge.
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Set up dishes: one with seasoned flour, one with eggs and 1 cup buttermilk, and another with extra flour for double coating.
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Heat oil in a heavy pan to 350°F (175°C).
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Coat chicken in flour, then egg mixture, then flour again; let rest 10 minutes.
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Fry tenders in batches for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through; drain on a rack.
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Simmer BBQ sauce, honey, vinegar, Worcestershire, garlic and onion powder for 5–6 minutes.
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Remove from heat, whisk in cold butter until glossy; add red pepper flakes if you like.
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Brush or toss crispy chicken with honey BBQ sauce and serve immediately with ranch and celery.
Nutrition Facts
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 485kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 22g34%
- Saturated Fat 6g30%
- Cholesterol 145mg49%
- Sodium 1150mg48%
- Total Carbohydrate 38g13%
- Dietary Fiber 2g8%
- Sugars 28g
- Protein 42g84%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
Pro Tips for Success:
- Temperature matters: Keep oil between 345-355°F for optimal crispiness
- Don't skip the rest: Let breaded chicken rest before frying to help coating stick
- Batch cooking: Fry in small batches to prevent oil temperature drops
- Sauce timing: Make the sauce while chicken drains for best results
Variations:
- Baked version: Bake at 425°F for 18-20 minutes, flipping once
- Air fryer method: Cook at 400°F for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway
- Spicy kick: Add sriracha or hot sauce to the honey BBQ sauce
- Gluten-free: Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
Make-Ahead Tips:
- Bread chicken up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate
- Honey BBQ sauce keeps refrigerated for up to 1 week
- Freeze breaded (uncooked) tenders for up to 3 months
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