KFC Honey BBQ Strips: A Taste of Nostalgia, Reimagined in Your Kitchen

There are some flavors that just transport you. For me, the unmistakable sweet and tangy embrace of KFC’s Honey BBQ strips is one of them. I remember those family road trips, the excitement building as we’d pull into the drive-thru, and that first bite of perfectly crisp chicken coated in that signature sticky sauce – pure bliss! Recreating that iconic taste at home has been a culinary quest, a way to bottle that feeling of simple, unadulterated joy. Today, I’m thrilled to share a recipe that gets incredibly close, bringing that beloved flavor right into your own kitchen.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Servings: 6
• Yield: Varies based on strip size
• Dietary Type: Adaptable (traditional)

Ingredients

This recipe focuses on capturing the essence of those beloved KFC Honey BBQ Strips, balancing the crispy chicken with a deeply flavored, slightly sweet, and tangy sauce.

For the Crispy Chicken Strips:

• 2 lbs chicken tenders
• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground pepper
• 1 cup buttermilk
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

For the Honey BBQ Sauce:

• 1 cup Hickory flavored barbecue sauce (Heinz is a great choice here)
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke

Equipment Needed

• Large shallow bowls or dishes (for dredging)
• Heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven (for frying)
• Slotted spoon or spider strainer
• Paper towels
• Small saucepan (for sauce)
• Whisk
• Baking pan
• Non-stick cooking spray
• Oven

Instructions

Let’s get down to business and craft these delicious Honey BBQ Strips. The process is straightforward, involving a classic breading and frying technique followed by a gentle coating in our homemade sauce.

1. Prepare the Dredging Station: In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, garlic powder, salt, and ground pepper. In a separate shallow bowl or dish, pour the buttermilk. This setup will be your dredging station.
2. Coat the Chicken: Working with one chicken tender at a time, dip it into the buttermilk, ensuring it’s fully coated. Let any excess buttermilk drip off for a moment, then transfer the coated tender into the flour mixture. Press gently to ensure the flour adheres well, then repeat the process: dip it back into the buttermilk, let it drip, and then coat it once more in the flour mixture. This double-dipping creates a wonderfully crisp coating. Place the coated chicken tenders on a clean plate or wire rack as you work.
3. Heat the Frying Oil: Pour enough vegetable oil into a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven to come about 2-3 inches up the sides. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches approximately 350°F (175°C). If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test the oil by dropping a small pinch of flour into it; it should sizzle immediately.
4. Fry the Chicken: Carefully place a few chicken tenders into the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pot. Overcrowding will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy chicken. Fry the tenders for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they are lightly golden brown and cooked through.
5. Drain and Rest: Using a slotted spoon or spider strainer, remove the fried chicken tenders from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain off any excess grease. Allow them to rest for a few minutes.
6. Prepare the Honey BBQ Sauce: While the chicken rests, combine the Hickory flavored barbecue sauce, water, honey, ketchup, and liquid smoke in a small saucepan. Place the saucepan over low heat.
7. Simmer the Sauce: Simmer the sauce, stirring frequently, for approximately 20 minutes. This gentle simmering allows the flavors to meld beautifully and the sauce to thicken slightly.
8. Cool the Sauce: Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool slightly.
9. Coat the Chicken in Sauce: Lightly spray a baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Dip one chicken strip at a time into the warm (not hot) Honey BBQ sauce, ensuring it’s well coated. Place the sauced chicken strips into the prepared baking pan, arranging them in a single layer.
10. Bake the Strips: Place the baking pan into a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Bake for 20 minutes. This step allows the sauce to caramelize and adhere beautifully to the chicken, infusing it with that signature flavor.

Expert Tips & Tricks

• Oil Temperature is Key: Maintaining the correct oil temperature is crucial for crispy, not greasy, chicken. If the oil is too cool, the chicken will absorb too much oil. If it’s too hot, the outside will burn before the inside is cooked.
• Don’t Skip the Double Dredge: The double dip in buttermilk and flour is what gives these strips their satisfyingly crisp exterior.
• Sauce Consistency: If your BBQ sauce seems too thick, add a touch more water or a splash of apple cider vinegar to thin it out to your desired coating consistency.
• Liquid Smoke is Your Friend: A little goes a long way, but liquid smoke adds that essential smoky depth that truly mimics the restaurant flavor.

Serving & Storage Suggestions

Serve these KFC Honey BBQ Strips hot, straight from the oven, for the best crispy texture. They are fantastic on their own as a snack or appetizer, or they can be a delightful addition to a meal alongside coleslaw, mashed potatoes, or even a fresh green salad.

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. To reheat, I recommend a brief stint in a moderate oven (around 300°F/150°C) or an air fryer to revive some of that crispness. Microwaving can make the chicken a bit soft.

Nutritional Information

Nutrient	Amount per Serving	% Daily Value
Calories	316 kcal
Calories from Fat		28%
Total Fat	3.2 g	4%
Saturated Fat	0.9 g	4%
Cholesterol	89.4 mg	29%
Sodium	897.4 mg	37%
Total Carbohydrate	30.1 g	10%
Dietary Fiber	1.2 g	4%
Sugars	10.1 g	40%
Protein	39.4 g	78%

Note: Nutritional values are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes used.

Variations & Substitutions

• Gluten-Free Option: For a gluten-free version, use a good quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for dredging. Ensure your chosen barbecue sauce is also gluten-free.
• Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the flour mixture or a dash of hot sauce to the BBQ sauce.
• Different BBQ Sauces: While the hickory flavor is a great starting point, feel free to experiment with your favorite brand or style of barbecue sauce. Just be mindful of sweetness and spice levels.

FAQs

Q: Can I bake the chicken strips instead of frying them?
A: While frying provides the signature crispness, you can bake them. Toss the breaded chicken tenders with a tablespoon or two of oil and bake on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through. Then proceed with the saucing and final baking step.

Q: How do I prevent the coating from falling off during frying?
A: Ensure each piece is thoroughly coated in buttermilk and then pressed firmly into the flour. Letting the coated chicken rest for a few minutes before frying can also help the coating adhere better.

Q: What kind of oil is best for frying?
A: A neutral oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable oil, canola oil, or peanut oil, is ideal for deep frying.

Q: Can I make the BBQ sauce ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! The BBQ sauce can be made a day or two in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Gently reheat it before coating the chicken.

Q: My sauce seems a little too thin after simmering. What can I do?
A: If the sauce is too thin, you can create a slurry by mixing 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold water, then whisking it into the simmering sauce and cooking for another minute until thickened.

Final Thoughts

There’s a special kind of satisfaction that comes from recreating a beloved dish at home, and these KFC Honey BBQ Strips deliver on that promise with flying colors. They’re a wonderful reminder of simple pleasures and a fantastic way to bring a touch of fast-food nostalgia to your dinner table. Don’t be afraid to get your hands a little sticky; it’s all part of the delicious experience! Gather your ingredients, follow these steps, and prepare for a taste of pure comfort and joy. Enjoy every saucy, crispy bite!