• PREP TIME30 Min
  • TOTAL TIME 45 Min
  • SERVES 8 

    Diner-style chicken tenders with a spicy, smoky dipping sauce.DIRECTIONS FOR: AWESOME PRETZEL CHICKEN TENDERS WITH SPICY HONEY DIJON SAUCE

     

    INGREDIENTS

    3 lb(s) chicken tenders or boneless skinless breast cut into 1 1/2″ strips

    2 cups buttermilk

    2 Tbsp dried basil

    2 Tbsp dried oregano

    2 Tbsp granulated garlic

    ¾ Tbsp salt

    2 tsp pepper

    ¾ tsp red pepper flakes

    1 ½ cups smoked almonds

    12 large sourdough hard pretzels

    Canola oil, for frying

    Spicy Honey Dijon Sauce, recipe follows

    Spicy Honey Dijon Sauce large resealable plastic bag

    ½ cup Dijon mustard

    ¼ cube honey

    1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce

    2 tsp adobo sauce (optional)

    1 tsp cider vinegar

    DIRECTIONS

    1. In a small bowl, combine basil, oregano, granulated garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Place buttermilk and half the spice mix into a double-lined resealable plastic bag. Add chicken and massage bag until well coated. Refrigerate 6 to 12 hours. Reserve the remaining spice mix.

    2. Place almonds in a plastic bags. Break up with rolling pin or mallet (flat side) until mixture looks part rough chopped part crumbs. Remove almonds and place into a shallow bowl. Put pretzels in the same bag and mash with a mallet or rolling pin until it looks like a mixture of large breadcrumbs and powder. Add to almonds mix to combine.

    3. In a large frypan, pour canola oil until it measures about 1 1/2 -inches high in the pan. Heat over high, until oil is hot, but not smoking, temperature, 350ºF.

    4. Remove tenders from buttermilk and dredge in the almond-pretzel mixture, pressing the mixture into the tenders. Gently add tenders, in batches, to the oil. Be sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry tenders until they are dark golden brown, being careful not to burn, about 5 minutes or until cooked through. Remove and drain on a cookie sheet lined with a wire rack. Serve immediately with Spicy Honey Dijon Sauce or keep warm in a 200ºF oven.
    Spicy Honey Dijon Sauce

    1. In a small food processor, combine all ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to use.