Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders – Crispy, Sticky & Easy 30-Minute Dinner with Sweet and Savory Garlic Sauce
These Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders are crispy, sticky, and ready in just 30 minutes. Juicy chicken breast strips are breaded until golden, then coated in a sweet-savory garlic honey glaze that’s perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep lunches, or party appetizers. Easy, versatile, and family-approved, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ lbs chicken breast cut into strips
- 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup flour
- 2 eggs beaten
- ¼ cup honey
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp sesame seeds optional garnish
- Chopped parsley or green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: Cut chicken breasts into even strips. Season with salt and pepper.
- Coat: Dredge in flour, dip in beaten eggs, then coat with panko breadcrumbs.
- Cook:- Oven: Bake at 400°F for 15–18 minutes until golden and cooked through.- Fried: Heat oil in a skillet and fry 3–4 minutes per side.- Air Fryer: Cook at 375°F for 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Make the glaze: In a skillet, sauté garlic in olive oil, then stir in honey and soy sauce. Simmer until slightly thickened.
- Toss & serve: Coat tenders in sauce and garnish with sesame seeds and parsley.
Notes
Secret Tips for the Best Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders
1. Use cornstarch for next-level crispiness:Coating the chicken in a light cornstarch-and-flour mix gives these honey garlic chicken tenders their signature crispy exterior, helping the sticky sweet garlic sauce cling perfectly to every bite. 2. Cook the tenders in batches for even browning:
Overcrowding the pan drops the temperature and makes the chicken soggy—giving each tender enough space ensures a golden, crunchy crust that absorbs the honey garlic sauce beautifully. 3. Bloom the garlic for deeper flavor:
Sauté the minced garlic in butter before adding the honey and soy sauce; this releases aromatic oils that amplify the sweet and savory garlic sauce and makes the glaze richer. 4. Adjust the honey-to-soy ratio for your preferred sweetness:
If you want a sweeter glaze, add more honey; if you prefer a deeper savory finish, increase the soy sauce—this flexibility makes the honey garlic tenders perfect for both kids and adults. 5. Let the sauce thicken before tossing the chicken:
Allowing the honey garlic glaze to simmer for a minute or two ensures a glossy, syrupy consistency that sticks to the crispy chicken tenders instead of sliding off. 6. Add extra crunch with fresh toppings:
A sprinkle of sesame seeds and sliced green onions adds texture, color, and balance, making the tenders feel like a complete 30-minute dinner with irresistible sweet-savory contrast.