Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders with Homemade Ranch
Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders with Homemade Ranch
Ingredients
For the Chicken Tenders
- 1 pound chicken tenders, tendons removed
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/2 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- to taste pepper
For the Dry Batter
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/2 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sparkling water
For the Wet Batter
- 1 cup dry batter mix
- 12 fluid ounces sparkling water, or as needed, until pancake consistency
For the Honey BBQ Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
For the Homemade Ranch
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 splash lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1/4 cup milk or buttermilk
For Frying
- as needed vegetable oil, for deep frying
Instructions
- 1
Season the chicken tenders by placing them in a bowl and tossing with 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder, 1/2 tablespoon onion powder, 1/2 tablespoon paprika, 1/2 tablespoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Set aside to marinate while preparing other components.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Prepare the homemade ranch dressing. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar, a splash of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, 1/2 teaspoon dried dill, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, 1 grated clove of garlic, and 1/4 cup milk or buttermilk. Whisk until well combined and smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
Prepare the dry batter. In a large shallow dish, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder, 1/2 tablespoon onion powder, 1/2 tablespoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon sparkling water. Mix well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
Prepare the wet batter. In another shallow dish, take 1 cup of the prepared dry batter. Gradually whisk in approximately 12 fluid ounces of sparkling water until the mixture reaches a smooth, pancake-like consistency. Adjust sparkling water as needed.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Heat frying oil. Pour enough vegetable oil into a large, heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer to submerge the chicken tenders. Heat the oil to 350°F.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350
- 6
Batter the chicken tenders. Working in batches, dip each seasoned chicken tender first into the wet batter, ensuring it's fully coated, then transfer it to the dry batter, pressing gently to adhere the dry mixture. Shake off any excess.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Fry the chicken tenders. Carefully place the battered chicken tenders into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 4-6 minutes, or until crispy, golden brown, and cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from oil and place on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 350
- 8
Prepare the Honey BBQ Sauce. In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 1 minced clove of garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/2 cup honey, 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon onion powder. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 9
Toss the chicken in sauce. Once the chicken tenders are fried, either brush them generously with the warm Honey BBQ sauce or place them in a large bowl and toss gently to coat evenly.
⏱️ 3 min
- 10
Serve the Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders immediately with the chilled homemade ranch dressing on the side. Enjoy!
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders with Homemade Ranch
For the Chicken Tenders
- 1 pound chicken tenders, tendons removed
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/2 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 tablespoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon salt
- to taste pepper
For the Dry Batter
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 tablespoon onion powder
- 1/2 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sparkling water
For the Wet Batter
- 1 cup dry batter mix
- 12 fluid ounces sparkling water, or as needed, until pancake consistency
For the Honey BBQ Sauce
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/2 cup honey
- 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
For the Homemade Ranch
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
- 1 splash lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1/4 cup milk or buttermilk
For Frying
- as needed vegetable oil, for deep frying
Instructions
- 1
Season the chicken tenders by placing them in a bowl and tossing with 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder, 1/2 tablespoon onion powder, 1/2 tablespoon paprika, 1/2 tablespoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Set aside to marinate while preparing other components.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Prepare the homemade ranch dressing. In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar, a splash of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives, 1/2 teaspoon dried dill, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill, 1 grated clove of garlic, and 1/4 cup milk or buttermilk. Whisk until well combined and smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
Prepare the dry batter. In a large shallow dish, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder, 1/2 tablespoon onion powder, 1/2 tablespoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1 tablespoon sparkling water. Mix well to ensure all ingredients are evenly distributed.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
Prepare the wet batter. In another shallow dish, take 1 cup of the prepared dry batter. Gradually whisk in approximately 12 fluid ounces of sparkling water until the mixture reaches a smooth, pancake-like consistency. Adjust sparkling water as needed.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Heat frying oil. Pour enough vegetable oil into a large, heavy-bottomed pot or deep fryer to submerge the chicken tenders. Heat the oil to 350°F.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 350 - 6
Batter the chicken tenders. Working in batches, dip each seasoned chicken tender first into the wet batter, ensuring it's fully coated, then transfer it to the dry batter, pressing gently to adhere the dry mixture. Shake off any excess.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Fry the chicken tenders. Carefully place the battered chicken tenders into the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for 4-6 minutes, or until crispy, golden brown, and cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove from oil and place on a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain excess oil.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 350 - 8
Prepare the Honey BBQ Sauce. In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add 1 minced clove of garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/2 cup honey, 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon onion powder. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 9
Toss the chicken in sauce. Once the chicken tenders are fried, either brush them generously with the warm Honey BBQ sauce or place them in a large bowl and toss gently to coat evenly.
⏱️ 3 min - 10
Serve the Honey BBQ Chicken Tenders immediately with the chilled homemade ranch dressing on the side. Enjoy!