Description
Crispy and flavorful Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders baked to perfection with a spicy and tangy coating made from a honey mustard egg wash and seasoned panko bread crumbs. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for a quick family dinner and pairs well with your favorite dipping sauces or sides.
Ingredients
Scale
Wet Mixture
- 2 large eggs
- 2 Tbsp dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp honey
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Breading Mixture
- 1½ cups panko bread crumbs
- 1 tsp salt
- ¾ tsp ground black pepper
- ¾ tsp smoked paprika
- ¾ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
Other Ingredients
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1½ lb chicken tenderloins
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400ºF (204ºC). Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack on top to allow even air circulation during baking.
- Prepare Wet Mixture: In a pie plate or shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, dijon mustard, honey, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, and salt and black pepper to taste until fully combined to create the honey mustard egg wash.
- Prepare Breading Mixture: In another pie plate, combine the panko bread crumbs, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. Whisk together to evenly distribute the spices.
- Prepare Flour: Place the all-purpose flour in a separate pie plate or shallow bowl to use for dredging the chicken.
- Bread the Chicken: Take each chicken tenderloin and dredge it first in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then dip it into the wet egg wash mixture, and finally coat it thoroughly with the seasoned panko bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Arrange and Spray: Place the breaded chicken tenders spaced apart on the wire rack-lined baking sheet to ensure even cooking. Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray for a crispy golden finish.
- Bake: Bake the chicken tenders in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165ºF (74ºC) and the coating is golden brown and crispy.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, let the breaded chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before baking to allow the coating to adhere better.
- Adjust cayenne pepper quantity to your preferred spice level.
- Serve with ranch dressing, extra honey mustard sauce, or your favorite dipping sauce for added flavor.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the chicken tenders on the rack to allow air to circulate and achieve even baking.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
