Sizzling Honey BBQ Chicken Strips Recipe for Tasty Homemade Fun

Crispy, golden honey bbq chicken strips promise a flavor explosion that’ll make you weak in the knees.

Juicy chicken pieces get coated in a luxurious glaze that balances sweet and tangy notes perfectly.

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this recipe delivers big on taste and satisfaction.

Each bite promises a delightful crunch that melts into rich, smoky-sweet sauce.

You will appreciate how simple ingredients create such an incredible meal.

Quick preparation means you can have dinner on the table faster than ordering takeout.

Serve these alongside creamy coleslaw or crisp french fries for a complete feast that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

Honey BBQ Chicken Strips – What Sets Them Apart

• Explore Flavor Adventure: Dive into a mouthwatering journey with these tantalizing honey BBQ chicken strips that blend crispy, sweet, and savory notes in every single bite.
• Master Easy Cooking Techniques: Learn foolproof frying and glazing methods that transform simple chicken strips into a restaurant-quality dish without requiring advanced culinary skills.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Perfect for family dinners, game nights, or casual gatherings where everyone craves something deliciously satisfying and universally loved by kids and adults alike.
• Customizable Spice Experience: Adjust heat levels by adding more or less hot sauce, making this recipe adaptable to different taste preferences and spice tolerances.

Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Ingredients

• Chicken Strips: Tender and juicy meat perfect for a delicious BBQ style dish.

• Buttermilk: Tangy liquid that helps tenderize and soften the chicken.
• Hot Sauce: Adds a spicy kick to the marinade.

• All-Purpose Flour: Light and crispy base for the chicken coating.
• Salt, Pepper: Classic seasonings for enhancing flavor.
• Garlic Powder: Adds aromatic and savory notes.
• Paprika: Provides a subtle smoky taste and warm color.

• Vegetable Oil: Neutral oil for deep frying the chicken strips.

• Barbecue Sauce: Sweet and tangy base for the honey BBQ coating.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps caramelize the glaze.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Brings a slight tanginess to balance the sweetness.

How to Make Honey BBQ Chicken Strips

Step 1: Marinate Chicken Deliciously

Season chicken strips with salt and pepper.

Place them in a large bowl or resealable bag.

Pour buttermilk over the chicken, making sure every piece gets soaked.

Optional: Add hot sauce for extra kick.

Let the chicken soak in the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight to develop deep, rich flavors.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Flour Coating

• Flour
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika

Combine ingredients thoroughly to ensure even seasoning distribution.

Step 3: Get Oil Sizzling Hot

Fill a large frying pan with vegetable oil about one inch deep.

Heat the oil until it reaches 350-360°F, creating the perfect environment for crispy chicken.

Step 4: Dredge Chicken to Perfection

Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off.

Coat each strip generously in the seasoned flour mixture.

For ultimate crispiness, dip the floured chicken back into buttermilk, then re-coat with flour.

Step 5: Fry Until Golden Brown

Carefully lower chicken strips into hot oil.

Fry in batches to maintain oil temperature.

Cook each side for 3-4 minutes until achieving a beautiful golden color.

Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 6: Whip Up Sticky Sweet Glaze

• Barbecue sauce
• Honey
• Apple cider vinegar

Stir until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy.

Step 7: Bake and Caramelize

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Dunk or brush each fried chicken strip with the honey BBQ glaze.

Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake for 20 minutes, allowing the glaze to caramelize and the chicken to cook through completely.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from oven and let cool slightly.

Serve hot, with extra glaze on the side for dipping if desired.

Tips for Perfectly Crispy Chicken Strips

• Let chicken marinate overnight in buttermilk for maximum tenderness and flavor penetration, helping break down proteins and ensure juicy results.
• Use a digital thermometer to maintain consistent 350-360°F oil temperature, preventing greasy chicken and guaranteeing perfectly crispy exterior without burning.
• Create extra crispy coating by dipping chicken twice in buttermilk and flour mixture, which builds a thicker, crunchier breading that stays crisp longer.
• Brush honey BBQ sauce generously but evenly, ensuring complete coverage without pooling, which helps achieve beautiful caramelization during final baking.
• Avoid overcrowding the pan by frying chicken strips in small batches, maintaining oil temperature and ensuring each piece cooks uniformly and develops golden-brown color.

Store and Heat Chicken Strips the Right Way

• Store leftover chicken strips in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent moisture.
• Wrap individual chicken strips in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label the bag with the date to track storage time.
• Restore crispiness by preheating the oven to 375°F. Place chicken strips on a wire rack over a baking sheet and heat for 10-12 minutes until warmed through. Avoid microwaving to prevent soggy texture.
• Quick method is using an air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes. This helps maintain the crispy exterior while heating the chicken evenly.

Best Sides for Honey BBQ Chicken Strips

• Pair Crisp White Wine: Select a chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio with bright acidity to cut through the rich, sweet BBQ flavors and complement the chicken's crispy texture.
• Create Tangy Coleslaw Side: Prepare a zesty coleslaw with apple cider vinegar dressing that echoes the recipe's vinegar notes and provides a cool, crunchy contrast to the warm, sticky chicken strips.
• Match Craft Beer Selection: Choose a hoppy American Pale Ale or amber lager with mild maltiness that stands up to the sweet-spicy honey BBQ glaze and refreshes the palate between bites.
• Serve Cooling Cucumber Salad: Develop a light cucumber salad with fresh herbs like dill or mint to balance the chicken's intense flavors and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the rich, glazed strips.

Chicken Strip Flavors and Combos

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free cornmeal for crispy coating while maintaining the same flavor profile. Use certified gluten-free barbecue sauce to ensure complete dietary compliance.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute flour coating with crushed pork rinds or grated parmesan cheese. Swap regular BBQ sauce for a sugar-free version to reduce carbohydrate content and maintain a keto-friendly approach.
• Air Fryer Method: Cook chicken strips in air fryer at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through. Skip deep-frying and reduce oil while achieving similar crispy texture. Brush with honey BBQ glaze after cooking for similar flavor intensity.
• Spicy Jalapeño Variation: Add finely chopped jalapeños to flour mixture or mix diced peppers into honey BBQ glaze. Incorporate cayenne pepper into seasoning blend for extra heat and complexity without overwhelming the original recipe's core flavors.

FAQs

• Is buttermilk necessary for this recipe?

Buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken and adds flavor. It creates a tangy, juicy result that makes the chicken more delicious and helps the coating stick better.

• Can I use a different type of oil for frying?

Vegetable oil works best for this recipe. You can also use canola or peanut oil, which have high smoke points and neutral flavors that are ideal for frying chicken strips.

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The chicken should be golden brown on the outside and white (not pink) on the inside when you cut into it.

• What if I want to make the chicken less spicy?

Simply omit the hot sauce from both the marinade and coating. The recipe will still be flavorful with the BBQ and honey glaze, just without the extra heat.

Honey Bbq Chicken Strips Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Succulent honey bbq chicken strips deliver a sweet and tangy flavor explosion that elevates classic comfort food. Crispy exterior and juicy meat promise a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 2 lbs (907 grams) chicken tenders or boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips

Breading and Seasoning:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika

Liquid and Sauce Ingredients:

• 4 cups (946 milliliters) buttermilk, divided
• 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
• 1 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) honey
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional)

Other Ingredients:

• Vegetable oil for frying

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Infuse chicken strips with tangy buttermilk, creating a tender and flavorful base that will enhance the meat’s texture and taste.
2. Generously season the chicken with salt and pepper, then submerge completely in buttermilk. Add optional hot sauce for an extra kick. Refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours to allow the marinade to penetrate deeply.
3. Create a robust seasoning blend by mixing flour with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Ensure the spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour mixture.
4. Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan to 350-360°F, establishing the ideal temperature for achieving a crisp, golden exterior.
5. Drain excess buttermilk from marinated chicken strips and thoroughly coat each piece in the seasoned flour mixture. For maximum crispiness, consider double-dredging by returning the floured strips to buttermilk and then back into the flour.
6. Carefully lower the coated chicken strips into the hot oil, working in batches to maintain optimal oil temperature. Fry each side for 3-4 minutes until a rich, golden-brown color develops.
7. Transfer fried strips to a paper towel-lined surface to absorb excess oil and maintain their crispy texture.
8. Whisk together barbecue sauce, honey, and apple cider vinegar to create a glossy, sweet-tangy glaze that will elevate the chicken’s flavor profile.
9. Warm the oven to 350°F, preparing for the final glaze and bake stage.
10. Generously brush or dip each fried chicken strip in the honey BBQ glaze, ensuring complete coverage. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
11. Bake the glazed strips for approximately 20 minutes, allowing the sauce to caramelize and the chicken to reach perfect doneness. The result will be a succulent, glossy honey BBQ chicken strip with a delightful balance of crispy exterior and tender interior.

Notes

• Marinating overnight intensifies the chicken’s flavor and tenderness, allowing buttermilk to break down proteins and create a more succulent texture.
• Double-coating chicken in buttermilk and flour creates an extra crispy, golden-brown exterior that seals in moisture and provides a satisfying crunch.
• Use a thermometer to maintain consistent oil temperature, preventing greasy chicken and ensuring even cooking throughout the strips.
• For gluten-free adaptation, replace wheat flour with almond flour or cornstarch, maintaining the same seasoning ratios for a similar crispy coating.

• Prep Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 560
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 32 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg