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