Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers

Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers are a tasty treat that can bring a touch of excitement to your dinner table. The combination of sweet honey and spicy chipotle makes a delicious sauce that pairs perfectly with crispy chicken. It’s an easy dish to prepare, making it great for weeknight dinners or when you have friends over. Plus, it’s a fun way to add a little spice to your meal.

How to Make Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers

Ingredients

• 10-12 chicken tenderloins
• Peanut oil for frying
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken stock (chicken broth can be used instead)
• 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 3/4 cup flour
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup water + 2 teaspoons cornstarch (mix together in a slurry before adding)
• 2 tablespoons adobo sauce (from a can of chipotles in adobo)
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1-2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Prep Chicken: Start by removing the tendons from the chicken tenderloins.
2. Make Dry Mixture: In a shallow dish or pie pan, combine all the dry ingredients (the flour mixture) and set it aside.
3. Make Wet Batter: In a large bowl, mix the wet ingredients together. Remember not to over-mix after adding the flour; a few small clumps are okay.
4. Heat Oil: Add peanut oil to a heavy pot or Dutch oven, then heat it to 350 degrees using a thermometer.
5. Coat Chicken: Dip each chicken piece in the wet batter, ensuring both sides are well coated. Let any extra batter drip off and then coat it in the dry flour mixture.
6. Fry Chicken: Fry the chicken in batches, about 4-5 pieces at a time, until golden brown. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees, which takes about 4 minutes. Place cooked chicken on a cooling rack to remove excess oil.
7. Make Sauce: While the chicken is frying, combine all the honey chipotle sauce ingredients in a small saucepan. Simmer until warmed through and slightly thickened.
8. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Once the chicken is ready, place it in a large bowl and pour the warm honey chipotle sauce over it. Toss gently to coat the chicken in the sauce. Wait to sauce the chicken until you are ready to serve.

How to Serve Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers

Serve Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers as an appetizer or a main dish. They go great with a side of coleslaw or fresh veggies. You can also add some extra sauce on top if you like it saucy, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs can make it look even better!

How to Store Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven to maintain their crispiness, or you can microwave them, but be aware that they may lose some crunch.

Tips to Make Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers

• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Fry the chicken in small batches. This helps them cook evenly and get crispy.
• Adjust the Spice: You can add more or less chipotle chili powder depending on how spicy you want your chicken.
• Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh chicken and quality honey can really enhance the flavor of the dish.

Variations

You can make a baked version by placing the coated chicken on a baking sheet and baking it at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes. This is a healthier option if you’re looking to cut down on oil.

FAQs

Can I use boneless chicken breasts instead of tenderloins?

Yes, boneless chicken breasts can work well, but you may need to adjust the cooking time.

Can I make the sauce ahead of time?

Yes, the honey chipotle sauce can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to a week.

Is this dish suitable for kids?

Most kids enjoy the sweet and spicy flavor, but you may want to reduce the amount of chipotle chili powder to make it milder for younger children.

Enjoy making and sharing your Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers with family and friends!

Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers

A delightful combination of sweet honey and spicy chipotle makes these crispy chicken tenderloins a perfect treat for weeknight dinners or gatherings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the chicken

• 10-12 pieces chicken tenderloins Remove tendons before cooking.
• Peanut oil for frying Peanut oil for frying Heat to 350 degrees.
• 1 large egg Large egg for wet batter.
• 1/2 cup milk Use regular or low-fat milk.
• 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken stock Broth can be used instead.

For the dry mixture

• 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 3/4 cup flour Flour for coating.
• 1 1/2 cups flour Flour for the dry flour mixture.
• 1 teaspoon salt For the dry mixture.
• 1 teaspoon paprika For the dry mixture.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder For the dry mixture.
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper For the dry mixture.

For the honey chipotle sauce

• 2/3 cup honey Use quality honey for better flavor.
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup water Mix with cornstarch to make a slurry.
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch Mix with water before adding.
• 2 tablespoons adobo sauce From canned chipotles in adobo.
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1-2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder Adjust to taste.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Method

 

Preparation

1. Start by removing the tendons from the chicken tenderloins.
2. In a shallow dish or pie pan, combine all the dry ingredients (the flour mixture) and set it aside.
3. In a large bowl, mix the wet ingredients together. Remember not to over-mix after adding the flour; a few small clumps are okay.

Cooking

1. Add peanut oil to a heavy pot or Dutch oven, then heat it to 350 degrees using a thermometer.
2. Dip each chicken piece in the wet batter, ensuring both sides are well coated. Let any extra batter drip off and then coat it in the dry flour mixture.
3. Fry the chicken in batches, about 4-5 pieces at a time, until golden brown. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees, which takes about 4 minutes. Place cooked chicken on a cooling rack to remove excess oil.
4. While the chicken is frying, combine all the honey chipotle sauce ingredients in a small saucepan. Simmer until warmed through and slightly thickened.
5. Once the chicken is ready, place it in a large bowl and pour the warm honey chipotle sauce over it. Toss gently to coat the chicken in the sauce. Wait to sauce the chicken until you are ready to serve.

Notes

Serve Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers as an appetizer or a main dish. They go great with a side of coleslaw or fresh veggies. You can also add some extra sauce on top if you like it saucy, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs can make it look even better! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, reheat for best results.