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Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders Recipe

Breaded, fried, and glazed honey BBQ chicken tenders are truly finger-licking good! The sauce is super easy but tastes homemade!

Prep Time
30 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Marinate Time
2 hrs
Total Time
3 hrs
Servings: 6
Calories: 526 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken tenders
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt divided
  • 2 teaspoons ground black pepper divided
  • 3 cups buttermilk divided
  • cooking oil for frying
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 cup barbecue sauce
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1-2 teaspoons hot sauce optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Season the chicken tenders with 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, then place into a zip-top bag. Add 2 cups of buttermilk.
  2. Seal the bag and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or up to 24 hours.
  3. When ready to cook, heat 1 inch of cooking oil in a frying pan or deep Dutch oven to 350°F, and preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
  4. Set out 3 shallow bowls. Pour the remaining buttermilk into the first bowl. Whisk the flour, cornstarch, remaining salt and pepper, and paprika together in the second bowl. Mix the barbecue sauce, honey, vinegar, and hot sauce together in the third bowl.
  5. Place a cooling rack over paper towels. Set aside.
  6. Remove the chicken tenders from the refrigerator. Pour the bag of chicken into a large colander, draining the buttermilk from the chicken.
  7. Dip each chicken tender into the flour mixture, into the buttermilk, and dredge through the flour mixture again. Shake off any excess flour and place onto a large plate. Repeat until all chicken tenders are breaded.
  8. Working in batches of 3-5 tenders, fry the tenders, flipping them halfway so they fry evenly. Remove from the oil when golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Place cooked tenders onto the cooling rack set over paper towels. Repeat until all tenders are fried.
  9. In a large bowl, toss the fried chicken tenders with the honey barbecue sauce. Arrange them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
  10. Broil for 2-3 minutes to caramelize. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes

  • Storage: Store chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. So the tenders stay crispy, reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories 526kcal (26%) Carbohydrates 69g (23%) Protein 41g (82%) Fat 9g (14%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 2g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 110mg (37%) Sodium 1587mg (66%) Potassium 902mg (26%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 30g (60%) Vitamin A 519IU (10%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 173mg (17%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 526

% Daily Value*

Calories 526kcal 26%
Carbohydrates 69g 23%
Protein 41g 82%
Fat 9g 14%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 110mg 37%
Sodium 1587mg 66%
Potassium 902mg 19%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 30g 60%
Vitamin A 519IU 10%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 173mg 17%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.