Crispy coated fried chicken tenders coated in a sweet and spicy honey chipotle sauce. Bar food doesn’t get any better than that. And with this Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers (Chili’s copycat) recipe, you can enjoy your favorite bar food without ever leaving the house.
This is a slight adaptation from Todd Wilbur’s Top Secret Restaurant Recipes 3: The Secret Formulas for Duplicating Your Favorite Restaurant Dishes at Home (Top Secret Recipes)
. The recipe is a little involved and the ingredient list could probably be simplified some without sacrificing too much flavor, but I think the end result is well worth the effort involved.
The chicken is first dipped in a batter and then rolled in a seasoned flour mixture for an extra flavorful and crispy coating. The chicken tenders are then tossed (or drizzled if you want to control the amount) in a sweet and a lot spicy Honey Chipotle Sauce.
Honey and Chipotle Combination
I don’t think there’s a more fantastic flavor combination for chicken than honey and chipotle. The sticky sweetness of the honey and smoky spiciness of the chipotle really play well off each other. They make these Chicken Tenders taste so incredibly good!
Recipe Tip
This Honey Chipotle Sauce would also be great drizzled on grilled chicken if you aren’t a fan of fried foods.
More Chicken Tenders Recipes
- Chicken Crispers
- Ranch Chicken Fingers
- Coconut Chicken Fingers
- Peanut Crusted Chicken Fingers
- Pickle-Brined Chicken Tenders
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Watch the short video below to see how to make this recipe.
Chipotle Honey Chicken Crispers
Ingredients
- 12 chicken tenderloins
- 6-8 cups Canola oil or shortening
Batter
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 3/4 cup flour
Breading
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Honey Chipotle Sauce
- 2/3 cup honey
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1-2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
Instructions
- In a small saucepan combine honey, water, ketchup, vinegar, chili powder, salt, and hot sauce. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
- To make batter, in a medium bowl whisk together egg, milk, chicken broth,salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Whisk in flour.
- Combine all ingredients for breading in a pie plate and mix well.
- Heat oil in a Dutch oven to 350 degrees. Dip chicken in batter and then roll to coat in breading.
- Fry 4 at a time, frying until golden brown and cooked through, about 4 minutes.
- Place cooked chicken tenderloins in a large bowl and toss with honey chipotle sauce.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Originally posted March 19, 2015.
This is the first time that I could make chicken tender so crispy!!! Thank you!!
For the honey Chipotle chicken tenders, could you do them in the air fryer?
Excellent post
Thanks
Can I cook the chicken my airfryer
These was outstanding!
It was good and tasted like chili’s. However, it was s little sweet and not spicy enough. I added more chili powder and next time I’ll reduce the honey. Overall, I think it’s a winner.
Hi gonna try this to tonight does anyone know if I can use a cast iron skillet? this looks so yummy. Thank you
These were Amazing! Don’t loose the recipe worthy!
Chicken chips with honey and chipotle – very original. Thanks for the recipe.
This recipe is almost spot on. For us it was a little too sweet and not quite spicy enough. Next time I will decrease the honey and add more chipotle, I think then it will taste exactly like Chilis!
How could I make these in the airfryer ?
If possible