Easy Crispy Sticky Chicken Tenders Recipe That Kids Adore

Crispy sticky chicken tenders spark joy for anyone craving a delectable comfort meal that satisfies deep hunger pangs.

These golden-brown delights combine crunchy exterior textures with succulent meat that melts in your mouth.

Remarkable seasoning techniques elevate ordinary poultry into an extraordinary culinary experience that feels like a warm embrace.

Perfectly balanced flavors dance between sweet and savory dimensions, creating an irresistible dish that appeals to multiple taste preferences.

Marinating techniques elevate these tenders beyond standard recipes, infusing complex layers of deliciousness into every single bite.

Home cooks can easily master this straightforward preparation that requires minimal ingredients but delivers maximum taste satisfaction.

Each tender promises a delightful crunch and tantalizing glaze that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Crispy Outside, Sticky Sweet Inside

• Unleash Mouthwatering Flavor Fusion: These chicken tenders combine sweet, tangy, and spicy notes that dance across your taste buds with a perfectly balanced sauce that transforms ordinary chicken into an extraordinary meal.
• Enjoy Super-Quick Cooking Options: Whether you prefer using an oven or air fryer, this recipe offers flexible cooking methods that deliver crispy results in under 20 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknight dinners or quick lunch preparations.
• Create Restaurant-Style Coating Magic: The homemade sticky sauce elevates simple chicken strips into a gourmet-like experience, providing a glossy, finger-licking glaze that clings beautifully to each tender, ensuring maximum flavor in every single bite.

What You Need for These Chicken Tenders

• Chicken Strips: Lean protein source with mild flavor, perfect for coating and baking.

• Flour, Salt, Pepper: Basic seasoning blend for creating crispy exterior on chicken.

• Hot Sauce: Adds spicy kick and vibrant flavor to the chicken.
• Brown Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create sticky caramelized coating.
• BBQ Sauce: Adds depth of flavor and smoky undertones to the sauce.
• Corn Syrup: Helps create glossy, sticky texture for sauce.
• Water: Helps balance and thin out sauce consistency.

How to Fry or Bake for Texture and Flavor

Step 1: Prepare Oven Method

Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange chicken strips on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 18-20 minutes, turning strips halfway through cooking for even crispiness.

Step 2: Prepare Air Fryer Method

Preheat air fryer to 385°F. Place chicken strips in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Cook for 11-12 minutes, flipping midway to ensure golden browning.

Step 3: Create Sticky Sauce

• Hot sauce
• Brown sugar
• BBQ sauce
• Corn syrup
• Water

Bring mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until sugar completely dissolves, stirring occasionally.

Step 4: Coat Chicken Tenders

Remove sauce from heat. Dunk each cooked chicken strip into the sauce, ensuring total coverage on all sides. The sauce will create a deliciously glossy and sticky exterior.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Transfer sauced chicken tenders to a serving plate. Pair with your favorite dipping sauce if desired. Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Tips to Get the Glaze Just Right

• Crisp Coating Trick: Crush cornflakes or panko breadcrumbs extra fine for an ultra-crunchy exterior that locks in moisture.
• Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally for safe, perfectly cooked tenders.
• Sauce Consistency Control: Simmer sauce slowly to prevent burning and achieve a glossy, clingy texture that adheres beautifully to chicken.
• Spacing Technique: Arrange chicken strips with small gaps between them during baking or air frying to promote even browning and crispiness.
• Dipping Pro Tip: Let chicken rest for 2-3 minutes after coating with sauce to allow the glaze to set and intensify flavor absorption.

Best Storage for Sticky Sauces

• Refrigeration: Transfer chicken tenders to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Ensure the container seals tightly to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss.
• Reheating in Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken tenders on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Warm for 10-12 minutes, turning once halfway through to restore crispiness and heat evenly.
• Microwave Option: While not ideal for maintaining crispiness, you can reheat chicken tenders in the microwave for 1-2 minutes on medium power. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out and ensure even heating.

Pairings That Bring Out the Best

• Craft a Tangy Sidekick: Pair these crispy sticky chicken tenders with a cool, creamy blue cheese or ranch dressing to balance the sweet and spicy sauce.
• Unleash Refreshing Sips: Crack open a cold beer like an amber ale or light lager that complements the sticky BBQ flavor and cuts through the richness of the chicken.
• Create a Zesty Plate Companion: Serve alongside crisp coleslaw or a fresh cucumber salad to add a crunchy, cool contrast to the hot and sweet chicken tenders.
• Spark a Flavor Fusion: Sprinkle some chopped green onions or fresh cilantro on top to add a bright, herbal note that lifts the entire dish's taste profile.

Flavor Adjustments for a New Take

• Spicy Honey Glaze Tenders: Replace hot sauce with honey and add red pepper flakes for a sweet and fiery kick that caramelizes beautifully on the chicken.
• Garlic Parmesan Coating: Mix grated parmesan cheese and garlic powder into the breading mixture for a savory, cheesy alternative that transforms the classic recipe.
• Asian-Inspired Soy Tenders: Swap BBQ sauce with soy sauce, add ginger and sesame oil to create an umami-rich glaze that brings an authentic Asian flavor profile to the chicken strips.
• Ranch Crunch Tenders: Incorporate ranch seasoning mix into the breading and serve with a cool ranch dipping sauce for a tangy, herbaceous version of the original recipe.

Crispy Sticky Chicken Tenders Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Crispy sticky chicken tenders bring Korean-inspired flavor to dinner tables with irresistible crunch and sweet-spicy glaze. Marinated in gochujang and soy sauce, these golden-brown morsels promise a delightful culinary journey you won’t forget.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 25 oz (708 grams) frozen crispy chicken strips
• 1 ½ cups (340 grams) brown sugar
• ⅓ cup (80 milliliters) Frank’s Red Hot Sauce

Sauce Components:

• 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce
• 1 tablespoon corn syrup
• 1 tablespoon water

Dipping Options:

• Ranch dressing
• Blue cheese dressing

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat conventional oven to 400°F (204°C) or air fryer to 385°F (196°C), selecting your preferred cooking method.
2. For oven method, arrange chicken tenders on an ungreased baking sheet in a single layer, ensuring pieces do not overlap.
3. Bake chicken tenders for 18-20 minutes in conventional oven, rotating the tray midway through cooking to ensure even browning and crispy exterior.
4. For air fryer method, position chicken tenders in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, avoiding overcrowding.
5. Cook chicken tenders in air fryer for 11-12 minutes, flipping midway to guarantee uniform cooking and golden-brown appearance.
6. While chicken is cooking, prepare the sticky glaze by combining hot sauce, brown sugar, barbecue sauce, corn syrup, and water in a medium saucepan.
7. Heat sauce mixture over medium-high temperature, bringing contents to a rolling boil.
8. Reduce heat to low, allowing sauce to simmer for 2-3 minutes until sugar completely dissolves and mixture develops a glossy, slightly thickened consistency.
9. Remove sauce from heat, letting it cool slightly to prevent burning when coating chicken.
10. Carefully dip each cooked chicken tender into the prepared sauce, ensuring complete and even coverage on all surfaces.
11. Transfer sauce-coated chicken tenders to serving platter, accompanying with additional dipping sauce if desired.
12. Serve immediately while chicken remains hot and sauce is still sticky and vibrant.

Notes

• Prep ahead by having all ingredients measured and ready before starting to cook for a smooth cooking experience.
• For maximum crispiness, ensure chicken strips are patted dry with paper towels before coating and cooking.
• Adjust sauce sweetness by varying brown sugar amounts to suit personal taste preferences.
• Create a balanced meal by serving with fresh green salad or crispy roasted vegetables on the side.
• Monitor cooking time closely to prevent overcooking and maintain juicy, tender chicken texture.
• Optional flavor boost: Add a pinch of garlic powder or cayenne pepper to the sauce for extra depth and kick.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Korean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 485 kcal
• Sugar: 45 g
• Sodium: 920 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 58 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg