The Best Ever Crispy Chicken Tenders
Golden-crusted chicken tenders with a tangy honey-lime glaze, served with a side of citrus slaw. This american-inspired quick meals ready in about 55 minutes pairs pcs chicken tenders, all-purpose flour, cornstarch for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 pcs chicken tenders
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 4 cups coleslaw mix
- 1 cup (julienned) carrots
- 1 cup (shredded) red cabbage
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: In a shallow bowl, whisk together 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp lime juice, 1 tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Set aside.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, combine 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup cornstarch, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, and 1/2 tsp salt. In another bowl, beat 1 egg. Dip chicken tenders in the egg, then coat thoroughly with the flour mixture, pressing to adhere.
- Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken tenders in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy, then transfer to a wire rack to drain. Drizzle with honey-lime glaze and broil for 2-3 minutes until glazed.
- Step 4: For the slaw, combine coleslaw mix, julienned carrots, and shredded red cabbage. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and 1/2 tsp salt. Toss slaw with dressing and serve alongside chicken tenders.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does The Best Ever Crispy Chicken Tenders take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (30 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover The Best Ever Crispy Chicken Tenders?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pcs chicken tenders from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in The Best Ever Crispy Chicken Tenders?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale The Best Ever Crispy Chicken Tenders for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with The Best Ever Crispy Chicken Tenders?
American quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★☆☆
Not bad. Would need significant modifications to make it a regular.
