Description
Savory Crispy BBQ Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Dip deliver a mouthwatering Southern-style feast perfect for game day or casual dinners. Golden-brown chicken coated in smoky barbecue seasoning pairs beautifully with tangy honey mustard, promising delicious comfort in every crispy bite you’ll crave.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 1 pound (454 grams) chicken tenders
Breading:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Honey Mustard Dip:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of pepper
Instructions
- Infuse chicken tenders with a zesty buttermilk marinade by combining buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Submerge chicken and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 2 hours, allowing flavors to penetrate deeply.
- Create a crispy coating by mixing all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Drain chicken from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off, then thoroughly coat each tender in the flour-breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even, adherent layer.
- Heat vegetable oil to 350F in a large frying pan, creating a perfect frying environment. Gently lower breaded tenders into hot oil, avoiding overcrowding. Fry for 3-4 minutes per side until achieving a golden, crunchy exterior and ensuring internal temperature reaches 165F.
- Transfer crispy tenders to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Generously drizzle BBQ sauce over the hot tenders, gently tossing to create an even, glossy coating that enhances flavor and texture.
- Craft a tangy honey mustard dip by whisking mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper, adjusting sweetness and tanginess to personal preference until achieving a smooth, creamy consistency.
Notes
- Select chicken tenders with consistent thickness to ensure even cooking and crispy coating.
- Pat chicken dry before marinating to help breading adhere better and create extra crunch.
- Use a thermometer to check internal chicken temperature for perfect doneness without overcooking.
- Experiment with different BBQ sauce styles like smoky, spicy, or sweet to customize flavor profile.
- Replace all-purpose flour with almond or rice flour and use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
- Bake tenders on a wire rack at 425F for 15-20 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking.
- Make extra honey mustard dip and store in refrigerator for up to 5 days as a versatile condiment for other dishes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg