Irresistible Sweet and Sour Chicken Tenders Recipe for Dinner

Crispy chicken tenders coated in a mouthwatering sweet and sour sauce can turn any ordinary meal into a delightful feast.

Tangy flavors dance across your palate with each delectable bite.

Home cooks adore this simple yet impressive dish that comes together quickly.

Ingredients from your pantry create magic in minutes.

Marinating the chicken ensures maximum flavor and tenderness before cooking.

Crunchy exterior meets silky smooth sauce in a perfect balance of textures.

Let you savor every zesty, golden-brown morsel that promises to become a new dinner favorite.

Why Sweet And Sour Chicken Tenders Are So Addictive

• Elevate Flavor Dynamics: Transform ordinary chicken tenders into a gourmet experience with a complex sweet and sour marinade that balances tangy rice vinegar, rich soy sauce, and caramelized brown sugar.
• Master Crispy Coating Technique: Create restaurant-quality chicken with a professional three-stage breading process that guarantees an irresistibly crunchy exterior and juicy interior every single time.
• Quick Weeknight Meal Solution: Prepare a crowd-pleasing dish that requires minimal ingredients and delivers maximum taste, perfect for busy families craving restaurant-style comfort food at home.
• Customize and Adapt: Easily modify the recipe by adjusting spice levels, trying alternative breadcrumbs, or serving with different side dishes to suit personal preferences and dietary needs.

What You’ll Need For Sweet And Sour Tenders

• Chicken Tenders, Chicken Breast Strips: Tender meat pieces that will be marinated and coated for a crispy sweet and sour dish.

• Rice Vinegar, Ketchup, Soy Sauce, Brown Sugar: Creates a balanced sweet and tangy flavor profile for the chicken.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken the marinade and create a glossy sauce coating.
• Minced Garlic, Grated Ginger: Adds depth and aromatic flavor to the marinade.

• All-Purpose Flour, Salt, Pepper: Provides the first dry layer for breading and adds initial seasoning.
• Eggs: Helps breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken and creates a binding layer.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Ensures a crispy, golden-brown exterior for the chicken tenders.

• Vegetable Oil: Enables deep frying and creates a crisp exterior for the chicken.
• Green Onions: Adds fresh garnish and a mild onion flavor.
• Sesame Seeds: Optional topping for extra texture and visual appeal.

How To Make Crispy Sweet And Sour Chicken Tenders

Step 1: Whip Up Flavor-Packed Marinade

Create a zesty sauce by whisking together rice vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a mixing bowl until smooth and well-combined.

Step 2: Marinate Chicken

Submerge chicken tenders completely in the marinade, ensuring each piece gets thoroughly coated. Let the chicken soak up all the delicious flavors in the refrigerator for half an hour.

Step 3: Prepare Breading Station

• First dish: flour seasoned with salt and pepper
• Second dish: beaten eggs
• Third dish: panko breadcrumbs

Step 4: Coat Chicken Pieces

Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each tender through the seasoned flour, dunk in egg wash, then roll generously in panko breadcrumbs until completely covered.

Step 5: Heat Cooking Oil

Pour vegetable oil into a large skillet, warming it to 350°F. Look for a shimmering surface that indicates the perfect frying temperature.

Step 6: Fry Chicken Tenders

Carefully lower breaded chicken into hot oil, working in small batches. Fry each side for 3-4 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Step 7: Drain Excess Oil

Transfer fried chicken tenders to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate, allowing excess oil to drip away while maintaining their crispy exterior.

Step 8: Create Sauce Reduction

Pour remaining marinade into a saucepan and simmer for 2-3 minutes until it transforms into a glossy, thick sauce.

Step 9: Finish And Garnish

Drizzle the reduced sauce over crispy chicken tenders. Sprinkle chopped green onions and optional sesame seeds on top for extra flavor and visual appeal.

Step 10: Serve And Enjoy

Plate the chicken tenders immediately while they’re piping hot and super crispy. Provide extra sauce on the side for dipping and enjoy your tantalizing meal!

Pro Tips For Perfect Sauce And Crunch

• Marinate for Maximum Flavor: Let chicken soak in the sweet and sour marinade for at least 30 minutes to ensure deep, rich taste penetration throughout the meat.
• Manage Oil Temperature: Keep oil consistently at 350°F to achieve perfectly crispy, golden-brown chicken tenders without absorbing excess grease.
• Prevent Soggy Breading: Use a wire rack instead of paper towels to drain fried chicken, allowing air circulation that maintains crunchiness and prevents steaming.
• Sauce Consistency Matters: Simmer marinade slowly until it reaches a glossy, thick texture that clings beautifully to chicken tenders without being too runny.
• Enhance Texture Variety: Mix panko breadcrumbs with some sesame seeds for extra crunch and nutty flavor in the coating.

Flavor Twists On Sweet And Sour Chicken Tenders

• Spicy Kick Chicken Tenders: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha sauce to the marinade for a fiery, bold flavor profile that packs heat.
• Asian Fusion Chicken Tenders: Incorporate five-spice powder and hoisin sauce into the marinade for a rich, complex taste reminiscent of traditional Chinese cuisine.
• Coconut Crunch Chicken Tenders: Replace panko breadcrumbs with shredded coconut for a tropical-inspired crispy coating that adds subtle sweetness and texture.
• Herb-Infused Chicken Tenders: Mix dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley into the flour mixture for an aromatic and earthy dimension to the classic recipe.

What Goes With Sweet And Sour Chicken Tenders Best

• Pair Sweet Harmony: Match the tangy chicken tenders with a crisp, light Riesling that balances the dish's sweet and sour profile with its subtle fruity notes.
• Crunch Companion: Select jasmine rice or coconut rice as a side dish to absorb the vibrant sauce and provide a soft textural contrast to the crispy chicken.
• Zesty Side Kick: Add a fresh cucumber and carrot slaw with rice vinegar dressing to complement the chicken's flavor and provide a cool, crunchy counterpoint.
• Flavor Booster: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions over the dish to enhance the Asian-inspired taste and add visual appeal.

How To Store Sweet And Sour Tenders Without Sog

• Store sweet and sour chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Place a paper towel underneath to absorb excess moisture and maintain crispiness.
• Wrap individual chicken tenders separately in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm tenders in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10-12 minutes to restore crunchiness. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent soggy breading. Drizzle with reserved sauce just before serving to enhance flavor.
• Keep leftover sweet and sour sauce in a sealed glass container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Sweet And Sour Chicken Tenders FAQs To Know

• Why marinate the chicken before cooking?

Marinating infuses the chicken with deep, complex flavors and helps tenderize the meat, ensuring each bite is packed with sweet and tangy goodness from the sauce’s ingredients.

• Can I use a different type of breadcrumbs?

Panko breadcrumbs are ideal because they create an extra crispy exterior, but you can substitute with regular breadcrumbs if needed. Just know the texture might be slightly less crunchy.

• How do I know the oil is at the right temperature for frying?

Use a kitchen thermometer to check that the oil reaches 350°F. If you don’t have one, drop a small piece of breadcrumb into the oil – if it sizzles immediately and turns golden, the oil is ready.

Sweet And Sour Chicken Tenders Recipe

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4.8 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 45-50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy sweet and sour chicken tenders deliver classic Chinese-American flavor with a perfect balance of tangy and sugary notes. Homemade sauce and golden-brown breading make this dish irresistible for you to enjoy with rice or as a quick weeknight meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1.5 lbs chicken tenders
• 1 lb chicken breast, cut into strips

Sauce and Marinade Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup rice vinegar
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp ginger, freshly grated

Breading and Coating:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
• 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)

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Instructions

1. Whisk together rice vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, brown sugar, cornstarch, minced garlic, and grated ginger in a bowl to create a vibrant sweet and sour marinade.
2. Place chicken tenders and chicken breast strips in the marinade, ensuring each piece is thoroughly coated. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to penetrate the meat.
3. Prepare three separate shallow dishes: one with flour seasoned with salt and pepper, another with beaten eggs, and the third with panko breadcrumbs.
4. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece first in seasoned flour, then dip in egg wash, and finally coat completely with panko breadcrumbs.
5. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet to 350°F, creating a shimmering surface that indicates optimal frying temperature.
6. Carefully lower breaded chicken pieces into hot oil, working in batches to prevent overcrowding. Fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
7. Transfer fried chicken tenders to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil and maintain crispiness.
8. Pour remaining marinade into a saucepan and simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens into a glossy sauce.
9. Drizzle reduced sauce over crispy chicken tenders, garnish with chopped green onions and optional sesame seeds.
10. Serve immediately while chicken remains hot and crisp, accompanied by additional sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

• Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor infusion, up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for maximum taste penetration.
• Ensure oil temperature stays consistent around 350°F to prevent soggy or burnt chicken tenders, using a kitchen thermometer for precision.
• Gluten-free adaptation possible by substituting regular flour with almond or rice flour, and using gluten-free panko breadcrumbs for crispy coating.
• Make ahead and reheat tip: Crisp chicken tenders in preheated oven at 375°F for 10 minutes to restore crunchiness when preparing in advance.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 570
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 950 mg
• Fat: 29 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 25 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg