Irresistible Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers Recipe

Sizzling with a perfect balance of sweet and spicy, these honey chipotle chicken crispers deliver a flavor explosion that will make your taste buds dance.

Crispy golden chicken pieces get coated in a mouthwatering sauce that blends smoky chipotle heat with rich honey sweetness.

The coating crackles with each bite, promising a restaurant-quality experience right from your kitchen.

Bold spices mingle with the smooth honey glaze, creating a dish that’s impossible to resist.

Every forkful promises a delightful mix of textures and flavors that elevate a simple chicken recipe to something extraordinary.

You’ll want to add this to your weekly menu rotation and watch everyone at the table beg for seconds.

Dive into this irresistible recipe and get ready to become the culinary hero of your household.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Calories: 700 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients Used in Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers

• Chicken Tenderloins: Tender, juicy cuts perfect for crispy coating, select fresh, evenly sized tenderloins for consistent cooking.

• Canola Oil or Shortening: Creates golden, crunchy exterior with light, neutral flavor, choose high-smoke-point oil for deep frying.
• Flour, Salt, Paprika, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder: Forms flavorful, textured breading that locks in moisture and provides robust seasoning.
• Egg, Milk, Chicken Broth: Creates binding liquid that helps breading adhere and adds rich, savory undertones.

• Honey: Provides sweet, smooth base for sauce with natural caramelizing properties.
• Water, Ketchup: Balances sauce consistency and adds tangy depth.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: Introduces bright, acidic note that cuts through richness.
• Chipotle Chili Powder: Delivers smoky, spicy kick with complex flavor profile.
• Hot Sauce: Enhances heat and adds extra layer of zesty complexity.
• Salt: Elevates and harmonizes overall sauce flavor.

Kitchen Tools for Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers

• Dutch oven: Perfect for deep frying chicken at consistent high temperatures.
• Medium bowl: Essential for mixing batter ingredients smoothly.
• Pie plate: Ideal for preparing the crispy breading mixture.
• Whisk: Helps blend batter ingredients without lumps.
• Small saucepan: Necessary for creating the honey chipotle sauce.
• Paper towels: Great for draining excess oil from fried chicken.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient proportions.

How to Prepare Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers

• Sauce Preparation

Whip up a zesty blend of sweet and smoky flavors by combining sauce ingredients in a small pan. Let the mixture simmer gently, stirring until it develops a rich, glossy texture.

• Batter Creation

Mix wet ingredients in a bowl, creating a silky smooth base. Gradually fold in flour until the batter becomes creamy and lump-free.

• Crispy Coating

Develop a flavor-packed breading mixture that will give chicken an irresistible crunch. Blend dry seasonings to create a tantalizing outer layer.

• Chicken Transformation

Heat oil to the perfect temperature for a golden, crispy exterior. Dunk chicken pieces into batter, then roll in seasoned coating. Fry in small batches, ensuring each piece turns a beautiful golden brown.

• Flavor Finale

Lovingly toss the crispy chicken in the mouthwatering sauce, ensuring every piece is generously coated with the sweet and spicy glaze.

• Serving Magic

Plate the sizzling chicken crispers while hot, offering extra sauce on the side for dipping enthusiasts who crave an extra flavor punch.

Cooking Tips & Spice Adjustments for Chicken Crispers

• Flavor Boost Technique: Marinate chicken tenderloins in buttermilk for 2-3 hours before breading to enhance tenderness and create deeper flavor profiles.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust chipotle pepper amount in sauce to make it mild, medium, or extra hot based on personal heat tolerance and family preferences.
• Oil Temperature Pro Tip: Use a digital thermometer to maintain consistent 350°F oil temperature, ensuring crispy exterior and evenly cooked chicken without greasy residue.
• Gluten-Free Twist: Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend for those with dietary restrictions, maintaining the same crunchy texture and delicious taste.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare honey chipotle sauce and breading mixture in advance, storing separately in airtight containers for up to three days to streamline cooking process.

Best Ways to Serve Chicken Crispers

• Crispy Dip Delight: Serve with a creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing for extra zesty flavor that complements the spicy-sweet chicken.
• Sidekick Sensation: Pair with crisp coleslaw or a fresh corn salad to balance the rich, spicy chicken and add a cool, crunchy texture contrast.
• Plate Party Pleaser: Arrange on a platter with fresh cilantro garnish and lime wedges to enhance the dish's vibrant chipotle flavors and add a bright, citrusy touch.
• Meal Companion Magic: Serve alongside Mexican-style rice or warm tortillas to create a complete meal that soaks up the delicious honey chipotle sauce.

Meal Planning with Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers

• Batch Cooking Brilliance: Prepare a double batch of chicken crispers and store extra portions in meal-prep containers for quick weeknight dinners during busy schedules.
• Refrigerator Revival: Store leftover chicken crispers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes to maintain crispy texture and prevent sogginess.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Wrap individual crispers in aluminum foil, then place in freezer bags for storage up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven for best results.
• Sauce Separation Strategy: Keep honey chipotle sauce separately from chicken when storing to prevent breading from becoming soft. Add sauce just before reheating for maximum crunch and flavor intensity.

Zesty Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Chili’s signature honey chipotle chicken crispers deliver a perfect balance of sweet and spicy flavors. Crispy chicken tenders glazed with a zesty sauce promise a restaurant-worthy meal you can easily recreate at home.

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Ingredients

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• 12 chicken tenderloins
• 6–8 cups canola oil or shortening
• 1 egg
• ½ cup milk
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 2 ¼ cups flour
• 2 ¼ tsps salt
• 1 tsp paprika
• ¾ tsp pepper
• ¾ tsp garlic powder
• ⅔ cup honey
• ¼ cup water
• ¼ cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1–2 tsps chipotle chili powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp hot sauce

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Instructions

1. Batter Preparation: Whisk egg, milk, chicken broth, seasonings, and flour in a medium bowl until smooth and free of lumps.
2. Breading Station: Mix flour, salt, paprika, black pepper, and garlic powder in a wide, shallow dish to create a seasoned coating.
3. Oil Heating: Warm cooking oil in a deep Dutch oven to a precise 350°F, maintaining consistent temperature for optimal frying.
4. Coating Technique: Dip each chicken tenderloin into the prepared batter, ensuring complete coverage, then roll through seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to create an even, crispy exterior.
5. Frying Process: Carefully lower chicken pieces into hot oil, cooking four tenderloins simultaneously to prevent overcrowding, rotating occasionally to achieve uniform golden-brown color and ensure safe internal temperature.
6. Draining and Resting: Transfer fried chicken to paper towels to drain excess oil while maintaining crispness.
7. Sauce Creation: Combine honey chipotle sauce ingredients in a saucepan, simmering briefly to meld flavors and create a smooth, cohesive consistency.
8. Final Coating: Gently toss crispy chicken pieces in prepared sauce, thoroughly coating each tenderloin.
9. Serving: Plate sauced chicken crispers immediately, offering additional sauce on the side for optional dipping.

Notes

• Maintain Oil Temperature: Keep oil steady at 350°F for perfect crispy exterior and even cooking without burning.
• Prevent Batter Clumping: Whisk ingredients thoroughly to eliminate lumps, ensuring smooth, consistent coating on chicken.
• Avoid Overcrowding: Fry only four tenderloins simultaneously to maintain oil temperature and achieve optimal crispiness.
• Check Internal Temperature: Ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally for safe consumption and juicy meat.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Tex-Mex

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 700
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 35 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg