Honey BBQ Chicken Strips
Deliciously crispy and tender chicken strips coated in a sweet and tangy honey BBQ sauce, perfect for family dinners or game day snacks.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 400kcal
Ingredients
For the Chicken Strips
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenders or boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 cup buttermilk or 1 cup milk + 1 tsp vinegar For marinating the chicken
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 0.5 cup cornstarch For extra crunch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Oil for frying (vegetable or canola)
For the Honey BBQ Sauce
- 0.75 cup BBQ sauce Any style, smoky or sweet
- 0.25 cup honey
- 1 tbsp hot sauce (optional) For a kick
Instructions
Preparation
- Soak the chicken strips in buttermilk for 20–30 minutes (or overnight) for ultra-tender results.
- In a bowl, mix together flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Cooking
- Remove chicken from buttermilk, shake off excess, and dredge in the flour mixture.
- Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C).
- Fry chicken strips in batches for 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Transfer the fried strips to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- In a small saucepan, combine BBQ sauce, honey, hot sauce, and butter over medium heat; stir until warmed through.
- Toss the crispy chicken strips in the warm honey BBQ sauce until coated.
Serving
- Serve hot with ranch, coleslaw, or fries.
Notes
For a healthier option, you can bake the chicken strips in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator or one month in the freezer. Reheat in an oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.