Description
These Honey Mustard Chicken Sliders feature irresistibly crispy, breaded chicken breasts fried to golden perfection and topped with a tangy homemade honey mustard sauce. Served on toasted slider buns with cheddar cheese, fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and pickle chips, they deliver the perfect balance of crunchy, sweet, and savory flavors in every bite. Perfect for parties or casual dinners, these sliders promise a flavor-packed, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Breading
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts (cut into slider-sized portions)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 large eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
Honey Mustard Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Slider Assembly
- 12 slider buns
- 4 slices cheddar cheese (quartered)
- Lettuce leaves (for topping)
- Sliced tomatoes (for topping)
- Pickle chips (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into slider-sized portions about 2-3 inches square to ensure each slider has a perfect bite-sized piece of chicken.
- Set Up Breading Station: Arrange three shallow dishes: one with flour mixed with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper (optional), salt, and black pepper; a second dish with beaten eggs; and a third with panko breadcrumbs.
- Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken piece first in the seasoned flour, then dip in the beaten eggs, and finally coat with panko breadcrumbs to create a crispy outer crust.
- Rest Breaded Chicken: Let the breaded chicken rest on a plate or baking sheet for 10-15 minutes to help the coating adhere better during frying.
- Heat Oil: Warm vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering and hot enough that a breadcrumb dropped in sizzles and turns golden quickly.
- Fry Chicken: Carefully place chicken pieces into the hot oil without overcrowding. Fry for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Drain Excess Oil: Remove fried chicken with a slotted spoon and place on a wire rack lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil and keep crispness.
- Make Honey Mustard Sauce: Whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Adjust Sauce Flavor: Taste and modify sauce by adding more honey for sweetness or more vinegar for tang according to your preference.
- Toast Buns: Lightly toast the slider buns in the skillet or oven to add texture and warm them up.
- Assemble Sliders – Sauce: Generously spread the honey mustard sauce on both the top and bottom halves of each toasted bun.
- Assemble Sliders – Chicken and Cheese: Place a piece of crispy fried chicken on the bottom bun half, then top with a quartered slice of cheddar cheese if using.
- Add Fresh Toppings: Layer fresh lettuce leaves, sliced tomatoes, and pickle chips over the chicken and cheese for crunch and flavor contrast.
- Complete Slider: Crown the fillings with the top bun half, pressing gently to hold all the ingredients together securely.
- Serve: Serve the honey mustard chicken sliders warm immediately for maximum crispness and flavor delight.
Notes
- Resting the breaded chicken before frying helps the coating stick better and stay crispy.
- Use a thermometer to ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
- Pickles, lettuce, and tomatoes add a fresh crunch to balance the richness of the fried chicken and sauce.
- Adjust the honey mustard sauce sweetness or tanginess based on personal preference.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying to maintain oil temperature and crispiness.
- For a healthier version, bake the chicken pieces at 425°F for 20-25 minutes until golden and cooked through.
