Chilli Maple Chicken Recipe: Sweet, Spicy & Sticky Glazed Chicken Dish

Chilli Maple Chicken is a delicious, sweet, and spicy dish made with tender chicken pieces coated in a sticky glaze of maple syrup, chili, garlic, and savory seasonings. This easy chilli maple chicken recipe perfectly balances heat and sweetness, making it a flavorful choice for quick dinners or special meals. Loved for its glossy coating and bold taste, chilli maple chicken is a modern fusion dish that combines comfort food with a gourmet twist.

Method

Place the chicken strips into a mixing bowl and add the mild red chilli powder, mixed herbs, garlic granules, onion granules, salt, and maple syrup. Toss the chicken strips well, making sure each piece is evenly coated with the seasoning mixture. This will give the tenders their vibrant flavor.

Set up your dredging station by beating the eggs in one bowl and placing the crushed cornflakes in another. Take each seasoned chicken strip, dip it into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully covered, and then coat it generously with the crushed cornflakes. This will form the crispy coating that makes these chicken tenders so irresistible. Once each piece is coated, set them aside on a plate.

preheat your air fryer to 190°C (375°F). Lightly spray the air fryer trays with a bit of oil to help with crisping, then arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding to ensure that each piece cooks evenly. Air fry the chicken for about 16 minutes, turning them halfway through the cooking time to ensure they’re golden brown and crispy on all sides.

In a small pan over low heat, melt the unsalted butter. Once it’s melted, stir in the cranberry sauce and chilli flakes. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 1 minute, letting the flavors meld together and creating a smooth, slightly spicy glaze that will perfectly complement the chicken tenders.

check that the internal temperature is 165°F (74°C) and that the chicken is no longer pink. Remove the tenders from the air fryer and immediately brush them generously with the cranberry glaze. The sweet, spicy glaze will coat each tender, adding an extra layer of flavor. Serve these crispy, flavorful Chilli Maple Chicken Tenders and enjoy

Necessary Tools

• Air fryer (I recommend the @salteruk Dual Sector Air Fryer)
• Mixing bowls
• Pan for glaze
• Pastry brush (for glazing)
• Spray oil

Chili Maple Chicken Tenders

Recipe by Troy Jorge

0.0 from 0 votes

Cuisine: American, Canadian, MexicanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

16

minutes

Total time

26

minutes

Ingredients

• 600g chicken breast, cut into thick strips

• 1 tsp mild red chilli powder

• 1 tsp mixed herbs

• 1 tsp garlic granules

• 1 tsp onion granules

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• For dredging

• 3 cups cornflakes, crushed

• 2 eggs, beaten

• 1 tsp hot sauce

• For the glaze

• 100g unsalted butter

• 2 tbsp cranberry sauce (smooth)

• 1/2 tsp chilli flakes

Directions

• Start by tossing your chicken strips in a bowl, then add the mild red chilli powder, mixed herbs, garlic granules, onion granules, salt, and maple syrup. Mix well until all the strips are evenly coated with the seasoning.
• Now, take each chicken strip and dip it into the beaten eggs, followed by rolling it in the crushed cornflakes. Make sure each piece is generously coated. Set them aside on a plate.
• Preheat your air fryer to 190°C (375°F). Spray the air fryer trays with a little oil and arrange the chicken tenders in a single layer. Air fry for about 16 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
• While the chicken is cooking, prepare the glaze. In a pan on low heat, melt the butter, then stir in the cranberry sauce and chilli flakes. Let it simmer for about 1 minute, and you’ll have a delicious glaze ready to go.
• Once the chicken is fully cooked, check that it’s no longer pink inside, then remove it from the air fryer. Brush the cranberry glaze generously over the tenders, and your tasty meal is ready to serve!

Notes

• When dredging the chicken, be sure to coat it well with the cornflakes to ensure an even, crispy texture. If some pieces are under-coated, they might not crisp up as nicely.
• Make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. This will help the tenders cook evenly and get crispy all around.
• For the glaze, keep the heat low and stir frequently to avoid burning the butter or the cranberry sauce.

Serving Suggestions

These Chilli Maple Chicken are great on their own, but you can also serve them alongside a fresh salad, crispy fries, or even a warm dipping sauce for extra flavor. Pair them with mashed potatoes or rice for a more filling meal, and enjoy them as an appetizer or snack during your next holiday gathering.

Fun Fact

Did you know that maple syrup isn’t just for pancakes? It’s a versatile ingredient that pairs wonderfully with savory dishes, like these chicken tenders, and adds a perfect balance of sweetness and depth of flavor. Plus, it’s a great natural sweetener!

Conclusion

In conclusion, chilli maple chicken is a simple yet flavorful recipe that delivers the perfect combination of sweetness, spice, and savory richness. This sweet and spicy maple chicken recipe is quick to prepare and ideal for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests. With its sticky glaze and bold flavor profile, chilli maple chicken is a must-try dish for anyone who enjoys easy fusion chicken recipes.