Simple meals like these crispy honey garlic chicken tenders are a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or main course. With just 7 ingredients, these delicious chicken tenders can be ready in 20 minutes!
These delicious meal pairs perfect for an easy weeknight meal or party food. If you love this recipe why not try serving it with some fresh biscuits? Or some corn cookies for dessert?
Ingredients
The ingredient list is pretty simple for this recipe. You can make these mild with a little heat or make some spicy garlic chicken tenders. You will need:
- crispy chicken tenders
- olive oil
- minced garlic
- honey
- soy sauce
- pepper
- Frank's hot sauce
Instructions
Cook the chicken tenders until crispy, following the instructions on the package. For optimal crispiness, we recommend using an air fryer or baking them in the oven. The microwave is not recommended as it won't achieve the desired crispiness.
While the chicken is cooking, start preparing the sauce. In a pan set to medium heat on the stove, combine garlic and oil, cooking for 30 seconds to one minute. Add honey, soy sauce, pepper, and Frank's hot sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium to medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for approximately 3 minutes. Set the sauce aside.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven, and generously coat each tender with the prepared sauce.
Substitutions
This recipe can be made for a variety of dietary needs.
- Gluten free: Use gluten free chicken tenders. You will also want to use gluten free soy sauce.
- Dairy free: This recipe is naturally dairy free but you will also want to make sure that your chicken tenders are dairy free too.
- Vegetarian: Use plant based chicken tenders in place of the chicken.
- Vegan: You will want to substitute maple syrup or vegan honey in place of the honey and use plant based chicken tenders in place of the chicken.
Tips
- Garnish the Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders with chopped green onions or sesame seeds for a touch of freshness and visual appeal.
- Serve your crispy chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauces, a side of rice, or a crisp salad.
Storing
The chicken is best served fresh, but can be stored in the refrigerator for several days. To reheat cook the chicken tenders at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes to maintain the crispy texture.
FAQ
Yes, you can bake the chicken tenders in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes or until they are cooked through and crispy.
Absolutely! Simply cut chicken breasts into strips to match the size of tenders for a similar result.
Adjust the sweetness by reducing the amount of honey or adding a bit more soy sauce for a saltier balance.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes to maintain the crispy texture.
Popular choices include barbecue sauce, sweet chili sauce, or a classic ranch dressing for dipping.
Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders
Equipment
- baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 bag approximately 26 ounces crispy chicken tenders
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2-3 tablespoons minced garlic
- 1 cup honey
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1-2 tablespoons Frank's hot sauce use 2 for a really spicy kick and 1 for a subtle hint of spice
Instructions
- Cook crispy chicken tenders according to package directions. (We recommend air frying or oven baking them for crispiness. The microwave will not make the chicken crispy). While the chicken is cooking, prepare the sauce. In a pan set to medium heat on the stove, stir the garlic and oil together, cooking on medium heat for 30 seconds to one minute. Add the honey, soy sauce, pepper, and Frank's hot sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil on medium-medium high heat than turn the heat down to low and allow mixture to cook for approximately 3 minutes. Set the mixture aside.
- Remove the chicken from the oven, then coat the chicken in sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe inspired by Chef In Training
Veronica Lee
Yumm! The chicken tenders look amazing!
Traci
Thank you!
Charlie @ Mom Blog
I've always enjoyed garlic with chicken. Yummy recipe!
Traci
Thank you! They are delicious!