Crispy Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard
- Perfectly golden and crunchy chicken tenders paired with a sweet and tangy honey mustard dip.
- A family-favorite recipe that’s easy to make and guaranteed to please both kids and adults.
- Versatile enough for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ cup mayonnaise (for enhanced honey mustard dip)
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt (for enhanced honey mustard dip)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
Instructions
- Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Season the chicken tenders generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Set up your dredging station with three shallow dishes: flour mixed with seasonings, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs.
- Coat each chicken tender first in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
- Dip the floured tender into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s completely coated.
- Roll the tender in panko breadcrumbs, pressing gently to ensure the crumbs adhere evenly.
- Place the breaded tenders on a wire rack and let them rest for 5-10 minutes.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it reaches about 350°F (175°C).
- Carefully add the tenders to the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Fry until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the fried tenders and place them on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to maintain crispiness.
- Prepare the honey mustard dip by whisking together honey, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of garlic powder.
- Serve the crispy chicken tenders immediately while hot, with the honey mustard dip on the side.
Notes
- For extra crunch, double-dip your chicken tenders by repeating the egg and breadcrumb steps.
- You can substitute panko breadcrumbs with crushed cornflakes or regular breadcrumbs mixed with cornmeal.
- For a healthier version, these tenders can be made in an air fryer at 400°F for 12-14 minutes.
- The honey mustard dip can be made a day ahead and refrigerated to enhance the flavors.
- Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and preparation methods.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3-4 tenders with dip
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 8
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 4
- Unsaturated Fat: 17
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 27
- Cholesterol: 145
Keywords: Crispy Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard, honey mustard dip, air fryer chicken tenders, crispy chicken bites, easy chicken dinner