This recipe was updated on November 1, 2023. Corrections were made to the recipe amounts and options added to the method.
New twists on old favorites don’t always go over big here with my finicky crew. Try as I might, I’m never really sure what will go over well when I put a spin on a family classic. So, it’s truly a “hit or miss” kind of process when I’m feeling creative in the kitchen.
For the grown-ups, (usually) variety is the spice of life and it’s nice to have a change of pace at dinner time. Oh man, but for the kids, even a slight recipe alteration can be alarming and the reaction can be oh so dramatic. The dinner time guessing game…it’s super fun (this may or may not be sarcasm) and it definitely keeps me on my toes! But, I decided to brave the nit-picky waters and make these crispy honey mustard chicken tenders instead of our standard buttermilk-marinated chicken tenders last week.
In the middle of prepping the chicken, I slipped up and used to the word “mustard” around my ten-year-old and then I immediately swore him into secrecy! To use the word “mustard” around the four-year-old would have been the kiss of dinnertime death, y’all! The making of this dish was officially a covert operation because I was using a dubious ingredient like mustard. However, honey is good. Yep, we’re good with honey and it’s always welcome around here…but, mustard, um, not so much.
You should know that when these tenders were served, they had to go through a thorough, rigorous kid inspection before the first bite took place… man, I live with a tough crowd! However, I’m happy to report it went over very well and kids ate their dinner without hesitation. The grown-ups were pretty keen on this dish too! The flavor of the mustard is very subtle and just adds a nice bit of richness underneath that crunchy crust. We paired these chicken tenders up with some homemade hash browns, a simple green salad and some fresh apple slices and it was a very enjoyable family supper!
So, these photos were taken yesterday when I made these crispy honey mustard chicken tenders again for lunch. I had to make it again so I could get the measurements down just right to share with y’all. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it! I hope you all enjoy them too!
Crispy Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders printable recipe
prep time: 25 MINS cook time: 25 MINS serving: 6
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken tenders
- salt and black pepper
- 6 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoon salted butter, room temperature
- 3 teaspoons honey
- 2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
- 1/8 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 cup plain bread crumbs
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil (set aside in a small bowl) or olive oil cooking spray
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees and line a sheet pan with a piece of parchment paper. Lightly salt and pepper the chicken tenders on both sides and set them aside.
- In a small bowl combine the mustard, butter, honey, garlic powder and parsley. Pour the bread crumbs onto a small plate. Lightly salt and pepper the bread crumbs and mix well. Set a clean spoon on the plate with the bread crumbs (you’ll use it to coat the chicken)
- Using your fingers, apply the honey mustard mixture to one chicken tender at a time. After the chicken is coated with the mustard mixture on both sides, set it down in the bread crumbs. Use the spoon to coat the top and sides of the chicken tenders with bread crumbs.
- Transfer coated the chicken tender to the prepared baking sheet and repeat the process until all the chicken is prepared. Using a basting brush, apply a light coat of olive oil to the top of each chicken tender or spray breaded tenders with olive oil cooking spray.
- Bake for for 20-25 minutes or until the bread crumb coating is browned and crisp. Remove the sheet pan from the oven and place on a cooling rack.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
very nice and good post i like the post
Mmmmm….love that you added both honey and mustard to your chicken tenders! This may become our new go-to chicken strips recipe. It sounds fabulous!!
Mum-stard the word! GREG
We must have been riding the same wave. I am too, working with chicken tenders (marinating in mayonnaise, lemon juice and a lemon pepper blend and then rolling it in panko and parmesan) My young adult son gave me a full eye roll. Told me "chicken tenders are precious and they should not be altered- Laugh). Yours looks delightful!!! I know I would enjoy them with honey mustard.
Velva
This looks delicious and I think my grandsons would love this, Marcelle! I'll bet the preparation would taste good on fish too.
Hi John! No, I'm afraid that information has to stay classified for now LOL But, I would have let you in on the secret, for sure 🙂
So, did you ever tell the 4-year-old that mustard was in the dish? 🙂 These look great. And I like mustard, so you could have told me what was in the dish!
Ugh, the struggle is real when they get big enough to realize they have choices LOL Thank you, Grace! 🙂
Hello there, David! Thank you! 🙂
Hi Cheri, thank you! 🙂 Girls…
it's hard enough to feed my husband, i shudder to think how much more difficult things will get when eva is old enough to be picky! i think these would be delicious. 🙂
Love these – and the secret of the mustard!! Yum!
Oh do these look good, I used to have the same challenge with my daughter, my son would and still does eat anything, looks like a winner, winner!!!
Hi Linda, thank you! 🙂
What a great recipe. I love chicken tenders. The honey mustard is a lovely addition. Thanks Marcelle for sharing your delicious chicken tenders at DI&DI.
Thank you, Angie! :0)
Baked instead of fried..I love them and can have an extra piece without feeling guilty 🙂