Regarding weeknight dinners, everybody loves a good takeout hack – especially when you can make something just as delicious… if not better! I’m excited to share this ultimate Air Fryer Copycat Whiskey-Glazed Sesame Chicken Strips recipe with you – it’s quick, simple, and seriously tasty.
You won’t even have to leave the house for your favorite takeout food again. With its sticky whiskey glaze and crunchy sesame coating, these chicken strips will entice taste buds and will surely become everyone’s new go-to dinner dish.
The Best Copycat Jack Daniel’s Chicken Tenders
Copycat Jack Daniel’s chicken tenders are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be cooked in the comfort of your own home. These tenders are coated in a sweet and tangy glaze that perfectly replicates the famous sauce from Jack Daniel’s. Whether you’re a restaurant fan or just looking for a new twist on classic chicken tenders, this recipe will surely impress.
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer TGI Fridays Jack Daniels Chicken
When you’re looking for a delicious meal that’s ready in no time, few things beat air fryer fried chicken. Whether it be traditional Southern fried chicken, Korean-style crispy garlic soy chicken, or TGI Friday’s signature Jack Daniel’s glazed variety – the combination of light seasoning and heated circulating air makes for perfect juicy morsels every single time.
If you’re a fan of TGI Fridays and want to make their iconic dish right at home, then all you need are a handful of ingredients and your trusty air fryer! We’ll provide the full recipe in this blog post, so read on to get started!
Remember the step-by-step directions are below in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page, as well as the nutritional information.
- Chicken Tenderloins: Or use whole boneless, skinless chicken breast that has been cut into tenderloins.
- Flour: Use all-purpose flour, or gluten-free all-purpose flour, to make this iconic dish gluten-free
- Breadcrumbs: Use regular bread crumbs or panko bread crumbs
- Milk: You can also use almond, coconut, or oat milk.
- Eggs: Use large, room-temperature eggs
- Seasonings and Spices: Kosher Salt, Paprika, and Garlic Powder
- Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Sauce, see the recipe in the recipe card below.
How To Cook Air Fryer Copycat Whiskey-Glazed Sesame Chicken Strips
Are you looking for a delicious way to make your favorite deep-fried sesame chicken strips at home? Try this air fryer copycat whiskey-glazed sesame chicken strips recipe! In no time, you’ll be laying out a tantalizing platter of golden brown crunchy morsels in mustard and sweet whisky glaze.
Step One: Brine The Chicken
Brine the chicken by placing the tenderloins in a large bowl and covering it with water. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
Step Two: Prepare The Jack Daniel’s Whisky Sauce
Mix the brown sugar, water, pineapple juice, soy sauce, and teriyaki sauce in another bowl. Whisk together and place over medium heat on the stove. While this boils, pulse the pineapple, garlic cloves, and onion chunks in a blender to small pieces.
Remove the brown sugar mixture from the heat and add the onion and pineapple mixture. Add the lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and Jack Daniel’s Whiskey. Place over medium heat again and let the whiskey sauce cook for 50 minutes. The goal is to reduce it by half.
Once the Jack Daniels Sauce is done, it will be thicker and darker. Let it sit for about 5 minutes off the heat.
Step Three: Prepare The Breading Stations
While the sauce cooks and the chicken finishes bringing, make the bread for the tenderloins.
Combine the flour, panko bread crumbs, and seasonings in a bowl. In a separate bowl, add the milk and eggs and whisk together. Remove the chicken from the fridge and drain from the water.
Step Four: Breading The Chicken
Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees F for 5-7 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, dip each chicken tenderloin in the egg and milk mixture, then into the panko mixture. As you coat the chicken tenderloins, place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Step Five: Air Fry Sesame Chicken Strips
Place the breaded chicken tenders into the air fryer basket in a single layer, and then spray them generously with nonstick cooking spray or brush olive oil on them. Set the cooking time for 12-15 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway during the cooking process.
Step Six: Coating The Cooked Chicken
Place the chicken tenders in the sauce and coat both sides. Lift out of the sauce and plate to serve; sprinkle with sesame seeds and enjoy!
Pro Tips For Cooking TGI Fridays Jack Daniels Chicken in Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer to the recommended temperature before adding the chicken tenders. This will help ensure that they cook evenly and come out crispy.
- Use a cooking spray or brush the chicken tenders with oil before cooking. This will help prevent them from sticking to the air fryer basket and ensure they come out crispy.
- Cook the chicken tenders in batches to prevent overcrowding in the air fryer. This will ensure that they cook evenly and come out crispy.
- Flip the chicken tenders halfway through the cooking time to ensure they cook evenly on both sides.
- Let the chicken tenders rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the glaze to set and avoid burning your mouth.
By following these pro tips, you’ll be able to achieve perfectly cooked and delicious TGI Fridays Jack Daniel’s chicken tenders in your air fryer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you really cook TGI Fridays Jack Daniel’s chicken tenders in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook TGI Fridays Jack Daniel’s chicken tenders in an air fryer for a healthier version of the classic restaurant dish.
Can I use a different sauce besides Jack Daniel’s sauce?
Yes, depending on your preference, you can use a different sauce to coat your chicken tenders.
Can I cook frozen Jack Daniel’s chicken tenders in an air fryer?
Yes, you can cook frozen Jack Daniel’s chicken tenders in an air fryer, but you may need to increase the cooking time by a few minutes.
How do I make sure the chicken tenders are cooked through?
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken tenders, which should reach 165°F to ensure they are fully cooked.
Can I make my own Jack Daniel’s sauce at home?
Yes, below, I included a homemade Jack Daniel’s Sauce Recipe.
Do I need to preheat the air fryer before cooking the chicken tenders?
Yes, it is recommended to preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking.
Can I use a different breading besides panko breadcrumbs?
Yes, depending on your preference, you can use a different type of breadcrumb or coating for your chicken tenders.
Can I cook the chicken tenders in batches?
Yes, you may need to cook the chicken tenders in batches if they do not all fit in the air fryer basket at once.
Can I serve the chicken tenders with a side dish?
Yes, you can serve the chicken tenders with various side dishes, such as roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.
More Air Fryer Recipes
- AIR FRYER SCALLION PANCAKES
- AIR FRYER CRISPY SHRIMP
- KETO AIR FRYER PICKLES
- AIR FRYER NAKED CHICKEN TENDERS
- AIR FRYER ST. LOUIS-STYLE SPARE RIBS
Air Fryer Copycat Whiskey-Glazed Sesame Chicken Strips
Description
Ingredients
Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Sauce:
- 2/3 cup water
- 1 cup pineapple juice
- 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup pineapple chunks
- 4 cloves garlic, roasted
- 1/4 cup onion, chopped
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 2 tablespoons Jack Daniel's Whiskey
Chicken Tenders:
- 8 chicken tenderloins
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
Other:
- Cooking Spray
- Sesame Seeds for Garnishing
Instructions
- Brine the chicken by placing the tenderloins in a large bowl and covering it with water. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Combine the flour, panko bread crumbs, and seasonings in a bowl. In a separate bowl, add the milk and eggs and whisk together. Remove the chicken from the fridge and drain from the water.
- Preheat the air fryer to 370 degrees F for 5-7 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, dip each chicken tenderloin in the egg and milk mixture, then into the panko mixture. As you coat the chicken tenderloins, place them onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Place the breaded chicken tenders into the air fryer basket in a single layer, and then spray them generously with nonstick cooking spray or brush olive oil on them. Set the cooking time for 12-15 minutes, flipping the chicken halfway during the cooking process.
- Place the chicken tenders in the sauce and coat both sides. Lift out of the sauce and plate to serve; sprinkle with sesame seeds and enjoy!
Jack Daniel's Whisky Sauce
- Mix the brown sugar, water, pineapple juice, soy sauce, and teriyaki sauce in another bowl. Whisk together and place over medium heat on the stove. While this boils, pulse the pineapple, garlic cloves, and onion chunks in a blender to small pieces.
- Remove the brown sugar mixture from the heat and add the onion and pineapple mixture. Add the lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and Jack Daniel's Whiskey. Place over medium heat again and let the whiskey sauce cook for 50 minutes. The goal is to reduce it by half.
- Once the Jack Daniels Sauce is done, it will be thicker and darker. Let it sit for about 5 minutes off the heat.
Equipment
- Air Fryer
- Parchment Paper, optional
- Cooking Spray, optional
Nutrition
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Laura
This was DELICIOUS and pretty spot-on. I had been having a craving for this but couldn’t justify the drive to the restaurant nor the ridiculously high price. I doubled the sauce and made enough to freeze some batches for later. Can’t wait to try again.