Description
Homemade Spicy Sticky Chicken Tenders deliver a flavor explosion that dances between sweet heat and crispy perfection. Crunchy exterior and juicy interior make this dish irresistible for those craving bold Korean-inspired comfort food you’ll definitely want to devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 lb (450g) chicken tenders or chicken breast strips
Sauce Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (120ml) soy sauce
- 1/4 cup (60ml) honey
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
Thickening and Cooking Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons water
- Cooking oil (for frying)
Garnish:
- Sesame seeds
- Chopped green onions
Instructions
- Prepare a robust marinade by whisking together soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame oil, and rice vinegar until thoroughly blended.
- Submerge chicken tenders completely in the marinade, ensuring each piece is evenly coated. Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes to intensify flavor absorption.
- Create a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with water until smooth and lump-free.
- Transfer reserved marinade to a saucepan and heat over medium temperature. When liquid starts simmering, incorporate cornstarch mixture, stirring continuously until sauce transforms into a glossy, thick consistency, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Preheat skillet with cooking oil to medium-high heat, allowing oil to reach optimal temperature for searing.
- Carefully place marinated chicken tenders into hot skillet, maintaining spacing between pieces. Cook for 3-4 minutes per side until exterior turns golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Remove chicken from skillet and briefly drain on paper towels to eliminate excess oil.
- Transfer cooked tenders to clean bowl and generously coat with prepared sticky sauce, gently tossing to ensure uniform coverage.
- Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and finely chopped green onions for added texture and visual appeal.
- Serve immediately while piping hot, accompanied by optional dipping sauce or alongside steamed rice and seasonal vegetables.
Notes
- Marinate longer for deeper flavor by keeping chicken in the mixture up to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
- Balance spice levels by adjusting chili sauce or red pepper flakes according to personal heat tolerance.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari for celiac-friendly version to maintain recipe’s authentic taste profile.
- Bake chicken tenders at 400°F for healthier alternative if avoiding pan-frying, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg