McDonald's honey packets contain corn syrup, not honey—real honey crystallizes at 64°F, making drive-thru impossible.
Honey Butter Chicken Tenders
Get ready to indulge in these mouthwatering chicken tenders that boast a perfectly crunchy coating and a tender, juicy center. Drenched in a delicious honey butter glaze, each bite is a sweet and savory delight that will leave you craving more. Perfect for dipping or enjoying on their own, these tenders are a must-try for any meal!
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(2)
- garlic
- water (30 ml)
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- chicken tenders (454 g)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(2)
- butter (28 g)
- egg
🫙Pantry Staples(5)
- cooking oil
- cornstarch (15 ml)
- flour (125 g)
- honey (15 ml)
- panko breadcrumbs (240 ml)
🍯Sauces & Condiments(1)
- soy sauce (30 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Coat the chicken tenders in flour, egg, and panko breadcrumbs.
- 2
Spray with cooking oil and air fry until they are golden brown and crispy.
- 3
Make the sauce by combining soy sauce, honey, garlic, water, and cornstarch.
- 4
Add butter and the sauce to a pan, cook it down until it becomes sticky sweet, then coat the chicken tenders in the sauce.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Air fry chicken tenders at 400°F for exactly 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, because this temperature creates the Maillard reaction for golden color while maintaining 165°F internal temperature.timing400°F for 12-15 minutes
- ✓Use a 3:1 ratio of honey to soy sauce in your glaze because honey's fructose caramelizes at 230°F while balancing the sodium content for optimal flavor penetration.ingredient3:1 honey to soy ratio
- ✓Mix cornstarch slurry at 1 tablespoon cornstarch to 2 tablespoons cold water because this 1:2 ratio prevents clumping and creates proper viscosity when heated to 185°F.technique1:2 cornstarch to water ratio
- ✓Cook the honey butter sauce to 240°F (soft ball stage) so it becomes sticky and adheres to chicken without sliding off, creating a glossy coating that won't separate.technique240°F soft ball stage
- ✓Press panko breadcrumbs firmly into chicken and let rest 10 minutes before air frying because this allows proteins to bind with coating, reducing breading loss by up to 60%.timing10 minutes rest time
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
30
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
McDonald's honey packets contain corn syrup, not honey—real honey crystallizes at 64°F, making drive-thru impossible.
Honey Butter Chicken Tenders
Get ready to indulge in these mouthwatering chicken tenders that boast a perfectly crunchy coating and a tender, juicy center. Drenched in a delicious honey butter glaze, each bite is a sweet and savory delight that will leave you craving more. Perfect for dipping or enjoying on their own, these tenders are a must-try for any meal!
📝 Ingredients
Serves 4🥬Fresh Produce(2)
- garlic
- water (30 ml)
🥩Meat & Seafood(1)
- chicken tenders (454 g)
🥛Dairy & Eggs(2)
- butter (28 g)
- egg
🫙Pantry Staples(5)
- cooking oil
- cornstarch (15 ml)
- flour (125 g)
- honey (15 ml)
- panko breadcrumbs (240 ml)
🍯Sauces & Condiments(1)
- soy sauce (30 ml)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Coat the chicken tenders in flour, egg, and panko breadcrumbs.
- 2
Spray with cooking oil and air fry until they are golden brown and crispy.
- 3
Make the sauce by combining soy sauce, honey, garlic, water, and cornstarch.
- 4
Add butter and the sauce to a pan, cook it down until it becomes sticky sweet, then coat the chicken tenders in the sauce.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Air fry chicken tenders at 400°F for exactly 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, because this temperature creates the Maillard reaction for golden color while maintaining 165°F internal temperature.timing400°F for 12-15 minutes
- ✓Use a 3:1 ratio of honey to soy sauce in your glaze because honey's fructose caramelizes at 230°F while balancing the sodium content for optimal flavor penetration.ingredient3:1 honey to soy ratio
- ✓Mix cornstarch slurry at 1 tablespoon cornstarch to 2 tablespoons cold water because this 1:2 ratio prevents clumping and creates proper viscosity when heated to 185°F.technique1:2 cornstarch to water ratio
- ✓Cook the honey butter sauce to 240°F (soft ball stage) so it becomes sticky and adheres to chicken without sliding off, creating a glossy coating that won't separate.technique240°F soft ball stage
- ✓Press panko breadcrumbs firmly into chicken and let rest 10 minutes before air frying because this allows proteins to bind with coating, reducing breading loss by up to 60%.timing10 minutes rest time