Description
Crispy, golden chicken tenders paired with a creamy honey mustard dip create a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors. These tender strips of fried chicken are coated in a seasoned breadcrumb crust, delivering a delightful crunch that’s perfect for appetizers, snacks, or a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Tenders
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the Creamy Honey Mustard Dip
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Breading Station: Set up three shallow dishes: one with flour mixed with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper; the second with beaten eggs; and the third with panko breadcrumbs.
- Coat the Chicken Tenders: Dip each chicken tender first into the seasoned flour, shaking off excess, then into the beaten eggs, and finally coat thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs. Place coated tenders on a plate ready for frying.
- Heat the Oil: Pour vegetable oil into a large skillet to a depth of about 1/2 inch and heat over medium-high until hot but not smoking (around 350°F or 175°C).
- Fry the Chicken: Carefully add chicken tenders in batches to the hot oil. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through. Use a thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Drain Excess Oil: Remove fried tenders and place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Make the Honey Mustard Dip: In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Serve: Serve the golden crunchy chicken tenders warm with the creamy honey mustard dip on the side.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, double dip the chicken tenders by repeating the egg and breadcrumb step.
- You can bake these chicken tenders at 400°F (205°C) for 20-25 minutes as a healthier alternative.
- Adjust the honey in the dip to your preferred level of sweetness.
- Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs to make this recipe gluten-free.
