Best Appetizer Essentials Spicy Chicken Tenders Recipes

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SPICY CHICKEN TENDERS



Spicy Chicken Tenders image

These spicy chicken tenders get a little heat from red pepper and chili powder. Serve with a side of ranch dressing for dipping.

Provided by By Brooke Lark

Categories     Entree

Time 35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 cup Original Bisquick™ mix
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon red pepper (add more if you want them really spicy, omit if no spice)
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon celery salt
2 teaspoons sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
1 package chicken tenders (14 to 16 oz)
2 to 3 tablespoons butter, melted
Ranch dressing, if desired

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 450°F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  • In a pie plate, combine the Bisquick mix, onion powder, red pepper, chili powder, paprika, celery salt and sugar. Stir together until well mixed.
  • In medium bowl, mix egg and milk with whisk until well blended. Spoon 1 to 2 tablespoons egg mixture into the Bisquick mixture; stir until little lumps form.
  • Dip the chicken breast tenders into the egg mixture, then into the Bisquick mixture, then back into the egg mixture and finally back into the Bisquick mixture. Place on cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken. Drizzle butter over chicken.
  • Bake 12 to 14 minutes, turning halfway through bake time, until no longer pink in the center. Serve tenders with ranch dressing if desired.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 Serving

CHICKEN TENDER ESSENTIALS: SWEET/SPICY SAUCES



Chicken Tender Essentials: Sweet/Spicy Sauces image

I have two recipes for you. The first is a sauce to "toss" with your chicken tenders, and the second is a dipping sauce that perfectly complements the first. What I do not have is a chicken tender recipe... I will leave that up to you. I kept the breading on my tenders simple (egg wash, breadcrumbs), and stuck them in the air fryer until crispy. I wanted the two sauces to speak for themselves, and not be overpowered by the breading on the chicken. So, you ready... Let's get into the kitchen.

Provided by Andy Anderson ! @ThePretentiousChef

Categories     Poultry Appetizers

Number Of Ingredients 15

PLAN/PURCHASE
THE DIP SAUCE
1/2 cup(s) mayonnaise, plain variety
1/4 cup(s) ketchup, freshly made, if possible
1/2 teaspoon(s) garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon(s) white pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
1/2 teaspoon(s) worcestershire sauce
THE TOSS SAUCE
2/3 cup(s) fresh clover honey
1/4 cup(s) filtered water
1/4 cup(s) ketchup, freshly made, if possible
1 tablespoon(s) apple cider vinegar
1 - 2 teaspoon(s) chipotle chili powder
1 teaspoon(s) hot sauce, i prefer frank's
1/2 teaspoon(s) salt, kosher variety

Steps:

  • PREP/PREPARE
  • The two sauces should be enough for 8 - 10 regular-sized breaded chicken tenders.
  • Although, I usually make my own, these two recipes would go a long way to jazzing up a bag of frozen tenders.
  • Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
  • THE DIP SAUCE
  • Combine all of the ingredients together in a small bowl.
  • Cover with cling wrap and put in the fridge for an hour or two.
  • Chef's Tip: The time spent in the fridge will help the flavors get to know each other. It is not a necessity, but I would recommend it, if you have the time (or patience). Besides, I like my dipping sauces to be on the cool side; it provides a pleasing contrast between the hot chicken tenders, and the cool dip.
  • THE TOSS SAUCE
  • Add all the ingredients to a saucepan.
  • Bring up to a simmer and stir for about 2 - 3 minutes.
  • Take off heat and allow the sauce to slightly cool down, about 4 - 5 minutes.
  • Chef's Note: Both of these sauces can be made a day ahead of time, covered, and stored in the fridge. All you would need to do, is reheat the Toss Sauce.
  • THE ASSEMBLY
  • Add the cooked tenders to a bowl (I cooked them in my air fryer), and coat with the warm toss sauce.
  • Chef's Tip: Just because you have a lot of toss sauce, do not use a lot; just give them a loving coating.
  • PLATE/PRESENT
  • Serve while nice and warm with the Dip Sauce. Enjoy.
  • Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

APPETIZER ESSENTIALS: SPICY CHICKEN WAFFLE BITES



Appetizer Essentials: Spicy Chicken Waffle Bites image

I had two goals for today... One was to finish up a painting I've been working on, and another was to come up with an appetizer for a casual Saturday afternoon party I'm hosting tomorrow. This is the appetizer... the painting is still a work in progress. So, you ready... Let's get into the kitchen.

Provided by Andy Anderson !

Categories     Poultry Appetizers

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 16

PLAN/PURCHASE
1/4 c fresh clover honey
1/2 tsp hungarian paprika
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 large chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
10 small mini waffles, plain variety
THE BATTER
1 1/2 c fresh buttermilk
1 1/2 c flour, all-purpose variety
1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground, or to taste
1 tsp chili powder, or to taste
1 tsp cajun spice, or to taste i prefer tony chacheres
1/2 tsp salt, kosher variety
1/2 tsp onion powder or to taste
ADDITIONAL ITEMS
peanut oil, for frying, or other non-flavored oil

Steps:

  • 1. PREP/PREPARE
  • 2. Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
  • 3. Mix the honey, cayenne and paprika together in a small bowl, and reserve.
  • 4. Chef's Note: The interplay between the honey, the paprika, and the cayenne, create some really interesting flavor notes for your palette.
  • 5. Mix all the ingredients for the batter in a large bowl.
  • 6. Chef's Tip: The batter should be nice and thick; almost like a tempura batter.
  • 7. Add the chicken bites into the batter.
  • 8. Add some oil (about 1in/2.5cm) to a pan, or pot, and heat up to 350f (175c).
  • 9. Shake off the excess and add the chicken in small batches into the hot oil.
  • 10. Fry until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown, about 3 - 5 minutes.
  • 11. Drain on paper towels, and finish cooking the remaining chicken bites.
  • 12. Toast the mini waffles until golden brown.
  • 13. PLATE/PRESENT
  • 14. Place the chicken bites, on the toasted mini waffles, drizzle with the honey/paprika/cayenne mixture, and serve while nice and warm. Enjoy.
  • 15. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

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Appetizers are the perfect way to start any meal, and there's nothing that beats the spice of chicken tenders. The appetizer essentials spicy chicken tenders recipe is a mouthwatering option that can set the tone for the entire meal.

Ingredients

There are a few essential ingredients that you'll need to make delicious spicy chicken tenders:

  • Chicken tenders
  • Flour
  • Egg
  • Breadcrumbs
  • Spices (paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper)
  • Hot sauce
  • Oil for frying

Preparing the Chicken Tenders

Preparing the chicken tenders is the most important part of the recipe. You have to make sure that they're seasoned correctly and cooked just right. Here's what you need to do:

Step 1: Season the Chicken

Before you start cooking, you should season the chicken tenders. Mix together a blend of paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Sprinkle the spice mixture generously over the chicken tenders on both sides.

Step 2: Create the Dredging Station

To bread the chicken tenders, you'll need to create a dredging station. Take three shallow bowls and fill one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with your chosen spices.

Step 3: Dredge the Chicken Tenders

Take each chicken tender and dredge it in the flour, then dip it in the egg, and finally coat it with the breadcrumb mixture. Make sure that the chicken is coated thoroughly with each ingredient.

Step 4: Fry the Chicken Tenders

Pour the oil into a frying pan and heat over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot enough, add the breaded chicken tenders to the pan and fry them until they're golden brown and crispy. Make sure that you turn the chicken tenders once to ensure an even cook.

Creating a Spicy Sauce

You can't have spicy chicken tenders without some hot sauce! While the chicken tenders are frying, you can make a delicious hot sauce to go with them. Here's what you need to do:

Step 1: Choose Your Hot Sauce Base

You can use any hot sauce that you prefer as the base for your sauce. Sriracha or Louisiana hot sauce are popular choices, but you can use any hot sauce that you like.

Step 2: Add Some Heat

If you want your sauce to be even spicier, you can add some chili flakes, cayenne pepper, or fresh chili peppers. This will give your sauce an extra kick.

Step 3: Add Some Sweetness

To balance out the heat, you can add a little bit of sweetness to your sauce. You can add some honey, agave nectar, or brown sugar to give your sauce the perfect balance of flavors.

Step 4: Add Some Tanginess

Finally, you can add a little bit of tanginess to your sauce with some vinegar, lime juice, or lemon juice. This will help to cut through the heat and sweetness for a well-rounded flavor.

Serving the Spicy Chicken Tenders

Once the spicy chicken tenders are cooked, and the sauce is ready, it's time to serve them!

Step 1: Plate the Chicken Tenders

Place the chicken tenders on a plate and drizzle the spicy sauce over them.

Step 2: Garnish

You can garnish the chicken tenders with fresh cilantro, chopped green onions, or sliced jalapeños for an extra kick.

Step 3: Serve

Now, your spicy chicken tenders are ready to be served! They're the perfect appetizer for game night, a party with friends, or just a family dinner.

Conclusion

The appetizer essentials spicy chicken tenders recipe is an excellent choice for anyone who loves a little bit of spice in their food. The chicken tenders are crispy and flavorful, and the spicy sauce balances out the heat with sweetness and tanginess. You can use this recipe as a basis for other spicy chicken dishes, or you can stick with the classic appetizer for a delicious start to any meal.

Making a perfect appetizer can sometimes be a challenge especially when it comes to determining the most desirable flavor. One of the most favorite appetizers that everyone loves is spicy chicken tenders.

What Are Spicy Chicken Tenders?

Spicy chicken tenders are chicken breast strips that are battered and deep-fried to give them a crunchy texture. The tenders are then coated in a hot and spicy sauce to give them a kick of flavor. They are best served as an appetizer or a snack.

Essential Tips for Making Spicy Chicken Tenders

There are several essential tips that you need to follow if you want to make the perfect spicy chicken tenders. These essential tips will help you achieve the desired texture, flavor, and presentation of your spicy chicken tenders.
Tip #1: Use High-Quality Chicken Breast
The quality of chicken breast used in making spicy chicken tenders greatly determines the tenderness and juiciness of the tenders. It is always advisable to use high-quality chicken breast, preferably organic or free-range. Chicken breast that is free from hormones and antibiotics will make the tenders more delicious.
Tip #2: Marinate the Chicken
Marination is an essential step that adds flavor to your chicken tenders. It also helps to tenderize the chicken making them more juicy and delicious. To marinate your chicken tenders, mix spices and herbs of your choice into a marinade. The chicken tenders should then be coated with the marinade and refrigerated for at least 30 minutes.
Tip #3: Choose the Right Breading
The choice of breading for your spicy chicken tenders determines the texture and taste of the tenders. Some commonly used breading options include panko breadcrumbs, seasoned flour, cornmeal or a mixture of all. Panko breadcrumbs give a crispy texture while cornmeal adds crunchiness. It is advisable to bread the tenders twice for a more textured coating.
Tip #4: Deep Fry the Tenders
To achieve the perfect texture and crunchiness, deep-frying is the best way to cook your spicy chicken tenders. To deep fry, heat the oil in a deep pan or frying pan to 350°F. Carefully place the chicken tenders into the hot oil and cook evenly for about 3-5 minutes. Overcooking or undercooking the tenders affects their texture and taste.
Tip #5: Make the Hot and Spicy Sauce
The hot and spicy sauce is what gives the chicken tenders the final kick of flavor. To make the sauce, mix hot sauce, paprika, garlic powder, brown sugar, honey, and cayenne pepper in a small pot over low heat. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes thick and rich. The amount of cayenne pepper used should be adjusted to one's taste.
Tip #6: Serve with the Right Accompaniments
The presentation of the spicy chicken tenders is just as important as its taste. The tenders are usually served with a dipping sauce such as ranch, BBQ, honey mustard or blue cheese. Best accompaniments to serve alongside spicy chicken tenders are fries, onion rings, or a salad. This combination will enhance the flavor of the tenders.

Conclusion

Making the perfect spicy chicken tenders is not a rocket science instead with the right ingredients, technique and tips, it's achievable. High-quality chicken breast, marination, the right breading, and deep frying are some the essential tips to follow to cook tender, juicy and crispy chicken tenders. Pouring the right spicy sauce to the tenders and serving it with the right accompaniments make the taste of the dish complete.

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