Copycat Chili’s Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers taste just like the real thing! Make this tasty version at home with simple ingredients for a flavorful easy chicken dinner!
Chili’s Chicken Tenders are so popular on TikTok right now and this copycat version tastes just like them! The tenders fry up crispy in a perfectly seasoned batter, then they are tossed in a flavorful honey chipotle sauce made with honey, adobo sauce, ketchup, and a splash of vinegar. These are always a hit!
The Appeal of Chili’s Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers
Chili’s Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers are a popular menu item at the restaurant chain, known for their sweet and spicy flavor and crispy texture. The dish consists of battered and fried chicken tenders coated in a honey chipotle sauce.
One of the main appeals is their unique flavor profile. The sweetness of the honey and the smoky spiciness of the chipotle peppers create a perfect balance of flavors that is both satisfying and addictive. The crispy texture of the chicken tenders also adds to the overall appeal of the dish.
With just a few simple ingredients, this dish can be easily replicated at home for a fraction of the cost of dining out. Anyone can enjoy the taste of Chili’s at home with minimal effort and cost!
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Tender Recipe
- Easy to Make: This recipe uses simple ingredients that are easy to find and follow. You don’t need any fancy cooking skills to make this delicious dish.
- Affordable: Making this recipe at home is much cheaper than ordering it at a restaurant. You can save money while still enjoying the same great taste.
- Family-Friendly: This recipe is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults. The sweet and spicy flavor is a crowd-pleaser that everyone will enjoy.
Ingredients for Chili’s Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers
Honey: For the sweet base of this amazing sauce, you need ¾ cup of honey.
Adobo sauce: Use ⅓ cup of chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (JUST THE SAUCE, not the peppers) for an amazing flavor and a bit of heat too.
Ketchup: Help thicken up the sauce by adding 3 TBSP of ketchup.
Vinegar: Bring out the flavors of the other ingredients by using 1 TBSP of vinegar.
Flour: You will need 1 ½ cups of flour to coat the chicken well before frying.
Cornstarch: Add ½ cup of cornstarch to make the chicken crispier, more golden, and tender.
Baking powder: 2 tsp of baking powder added to the flour coating helps keep the chicken crispy and juicy while cooking.
Garlic salt: For amazing flavor, add ½ tsp of garlic salt to the mixture.
Paprika: Adding ½ tsp of smoked paprika gives the chicken a subtle sweet, earthy flavor that doesn’t disappoint.
Chicken: You need 2 lbs. of chicken tenderloins to make this main dish.
Milk: Coating the chicken well requires the use of 1 cup of milk as a binding agent.
Oil: Fry the chicken in 2 cups of light oil.
How to make Copycat Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers
Sauce
Start by making the sauce by combining the honey, chipotle sauce, ketchup, and vinegar in a small saucepan. Heat it over medium high heat until it begins to bubble. Then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes until it has thickened. Once thickened, turn off the heat and set the pan aside.
Chicken coating
Now begin heating the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
In a shallow dish whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic salt, and smoked paprika. Measure out 1 TBSP of the mixture and set it aside.
Next pour the milk into a shallow dish and whisk in the reserved tablespoon of the flour mixture.
Proceed to lightly dredge the chicken in the seasoned flour, then in the milk mixture, and again into the flour mixture.
Cook & coat chicken
Once the oil reaches 350°F, add the coated chicken in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the chicken tenderloins for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. When fully cooked, place them on a paper towel lined plate or a wire rack to drain off the excess grease.
After that, transfer the sauce into a large bowl, scraping the sides of the pan to get every drop of this delicious sauce. Then continue to toss the chicken strips in the sauce, making sure to coat them well.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Copycat Chili’s Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers
Ingredients
Honey Chipotle Sauce
- ¾ cup honey
- ⅓ cup chipotle chiles in adobo sauce JUST THE SAUCE not the peppers
- 3 TBSP ketchup
- 1 TBSP vinegar
Chicken Crispers Coating
- 1 ½ cups flour
- ½ cup cornstarch
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp garlic salt
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- 2 lbs. chicken tenderloins
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups light oil for frying
Instructions
- Sauce: Combine the honey, chipotle sauce, ketchup, and vinegar in a small saucepan. Heat it over medium high heat until it begins to bubble. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes until it has thickened. Once thickened, turn off the heat and set the pan aside.
- Chicken coating: Begin heating the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
- In a shallow dish whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic salt, and smoked paprika. Measure out 1 TBSP of the mixture and set it aside.
- Pour the milk into a shallow dish and whisk in the reserved tablespoon of the flour mixture. Proceed to lightly dredge the chicken in the seasoned flour, then in the milk mixture, and again into the flour mixture.
- Cook & coat chicken: Once the oil reaches 350°F, add the coated chicken in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the chicken tenderloins for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. When fully cooked, place them on a paper towel lined plate or a wire rack to drain off the excess grease.
- Transfer the sauce into a large bowl, scraping the sides oft he pan to get every drop of this delicious sauce. Toss the chicken strips in the sauce, making sure to coat them well. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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How long are these chicken crispers good for?
To store leftover Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F and place the chicken on a baking sheet. Heat for 10-15 minutes or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat the chicken in a microwave-safe dish, covered with a damp paper towel, for 1-2 minutes.
Can I buy the Honey Chipotle sauce used at Chili’s restaurants?
Unfortunately, the Honey Chipotle sauce used at Chili’s restaurants is not available for purchase. Lucky for you, our homemade version using simple ingredients like honey, adobo sauce, and ketchup is the closest thing you will find outside the restaurant!
Tips for a Perfect Copycat Recipe
To make a perfect copycat Chili’s Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers, there are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Use the right cut of chicken: To achieve the same crispy texture as the original dish, it is important to use chicken tenders or breast cut into strips. Thighs or drumsticks will not work as well.
- Double coat the chicken: To ensure a crispy coating, double coat the chicken by dipping it in the flour mixture, then in the buttermilk mixture, and then back in the flour mixture before frying.
- Adjust the spice and flavor: Cut back on the amount of chipotle sauce for a less spicy dish, or add a bit more if you like it extra hot. Also, feel free to add any other seasoning you like to the flour mixture.
- Use the right oil and temperature: Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point such as canola or vegetable oil and heat it to 350°F before frying the chicken. Maintaining the oil temperature is important to ensure the chicken cooks evenly and stays crispy.
Common side dishes to serve with Chipotle Chicken Crispers
Some common side dishes that pair well with Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers include french fries, coleslaw, corn on the cob, and mashed potatoes. You can also serve a side salad or steamed vegetables for a healthier option.
How to achieve the same crispiness as Chili’s Crispers at home?
To achieve the same crispiness as Chili’s Chicken Crispers at home, it’s important to follow the recipe instructions carefully. Make sure the chicken is coated in the flour mixture and milk wash thoroughly before frying. Also, be sure to fry the chicken in hot oil for the recommended amount of time. Using a deep fryer or a heavy-bottomed pot can also help maintain the oil temperature and ensure crispy chicken.
Love restaurant food without the high costs? Try more copycat recipes here!
- Copycat Chick-Fil-A Mac and Cheese
- Swig Sugar Cookies
- Mrs. Fields White Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Dunkin Donuts Crullers Recipe
- Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Copycat Ruby Tuesday Pasta Salad
- Chili’s Cajun Chicken Pasta
- Copycat Chick-fil-A Sandwiches
- Copycat Panera 10 Vegetable Soup
- Costco Chocolate Muffins
- Copycat Chick-fil-A Nuggets
Copycat Chili’s Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers are a homemade version that tastes just like the real thing! The flavorful honey chipotle sauce combined with the crispy, tender chicken makes a perfect dinner any night of the week.
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