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Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders
These Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders are ultra crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and coated in a sticky-sweet honey BBQ glaze that packs bold flavor in every bite. The buttermilk marinade keeps them tender while the seasoned dredge creates the perfect golden crunch.
Ingredients
CHICKEN
- 2 lb chicken tenders
- 2 tbsp BBQ seasoning
MARINADE
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1/2 tbsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp hot sauce
- 1 tsp paprika
FLOUR DREDGE
- 3 cups all purpose flour
- 1/3 cup potato starch
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
FOR FRYING
- 4 cups vegetable oil
FOR FINISHING
- 1 cup honey BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Season the chicken tenders evenly on all sides with BBQ seasoning. In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, salt, garlic powder, hot sauce, and paprika, then submerge the chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight for maximum tenderness.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, potato starch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper, mixing thoroughly. Remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing excess to drip off, then press firmly into the flour mixture to ensure every surface is fully coated.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F, maintaining steady temperature for even frying. Carefully lower the dredged tenders into the oil in batches to avoid overcrowding.
- Fry for 5–6 minutes, turning occasionally, until deeply golden brown and crispy. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, then transfer to a wire rack to drain and rest for a few minutes.
- While still hot, toss the fried chicken tenders in honey BBQ sauce until fully coated in a sticky glaze. Make sure the sauce clings evenly to the crispy crust.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy, with extra honey BBQ sauce on the side if desired. Enjoy every sweet, smoky, crunchy bite.
