Copycat Recipe: Wendy’s Sweet Heat Honey Garlic Chicken Strips 

ByZoe

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into strips)
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper

Coating

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp pepper

Sweet Heat Sauce (Accurate Style)

  • ¼ cup honey garlic sauce
  • 2 tbsp sweet Thai chili sauce
  • 1 tsp soy sauce (optional, for depth)
  • ½ tsp chili flakes (optional, for extra heat)

Instructions

1. Marinate chicken

In a bowl, combine chicken, buttermilk, salt, and pepper.

Let marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours for better texture).

2. Prepare coating

In a separate bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

3. Coat chicken

Remove chicken from marinade and dredge in coating mixture.

Press coating firmly onto each piece.

4. Fry

Heat oil to 350°F (175°C).

Fry chicken strips in batches for 4–6 minutes, until golden brown and fully cooked.

Remove and place on a rack or paper towel.

5. Make sauce

In a pan over low heat, combine:

  • honey garlic sauce
  • sweet Thai chili sauce
  • soy sauce (optional)
  • chili flakes (optional)

Heat gently until warmed and slightly thickened.

6. Toss chicken

Add fried chicken to the sauce and toss until evenly coated.

7. Serve

Serve immediately while hot and crispy.

Tips

  • Toss chicken right before serving to keep coating crispy
  • Use store-bought honey garlic for closer fast food flavour
  • Adjust Thai chili sauce to control sweetness vs heat
  • Don’t overcrowd fryer — keeps coating crisp
  • Double coat for extra crunch if desired

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