Chili’s Chicken Crispers

Craving Chili’s Chicken Crispers? Try this copycat recipe! Juicy, tender chicken strips are encased in a delightfully crunchy batter, offering a perfect balance of textures. Simple to make, and just as delicious as the original chicken crispers, if not more! Perfect for family dinners or a comforting weekend meal.

Copycat Chili's Chicken Crispers and honey mustard sauce on a white plate.


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Chili’s Bar and Grill

It’s amazing to find out that what started in 1975 as a funky little hamburger joint named Chili’s, in what was originally a post office in Dallas, Texas, has turned into an international eatery chain with more than 1,600 locations in 33 countries. Only in America! Read more about the history of Chili’s.

Upside Down for Luck

Did you know that there’s one photo hanging upside down in most Chili’s locations? If you’ve never noticed, take a look the next time you go.

The tradition appears to have begun with the very first Chili’s when a photo was hung the wrong way on purpose. The upside down picture symbolizes that good luck will arrive for everyone that eats at Chili’s. Another reason to eat there, besides the delicious food!

Why Chili’s Chicken Crispers are Different

These crispers stand out because they are a delightful international cross between a tempura texture (Japan) and a fish and chips texture (Britain). The yummy batter is so smooth, light, and super crispy that you’ll find yourself sneaking morsels of it while still cooking.

This Chilis Chicken Crispers copycat recipe is a great way to enjoy the original Chilis Chicken Crispers at home.

Ingredients

Here’s a list of what you need:

  • Chicken tenders
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt
  • Ground black pepper
  • Egg
  • Club soda
  • Mayonnaise
  • Dijon mustard
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Honey
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Does Chili’s Use MSG?

Yes, Chili’s does use MSG as a seasoning accent. However, my copycat recipe does not have MSG as an ingredient.

Chili's chicken crispers ingredients

The Dipping Sauce

Two “honey” favorites at Chili’s are Chili’s Honey Chipotle Sauce and Chili’s Honey Mustard Sauce. These are also easy to make at home. My recipe includes the honey mustard sauce for the crispers.

How to Make Chili’s Chicken Crispers

  1. Heat oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Place club soda and egg in a bowl. Whisk until well combined.
  3. Add flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
  4. Allow the batter to sit for a few minutes.
  5. Pat dry the chicken tenders with a paper towel.
  6. Dredge the chicken tenders in flour. Shake off excess flour.
  7. Dip floured chicken tenders into the batter.
  8. Fry a few chicken tenders at a time.
  9. Place fried tenders on a wire rack over a baking sheet.
  10. Combine mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, cayenne, and honey in a small bowl.
  11. Serve chicken crispers with honey mustard sauce.

I really love my TFal deep fryer. It makes deep frying a snap.

homemade Chilis Chicken Crispers and honey mustard sauce on a plate.

What Goes with Chili’s Chicken Crispers?

Here are some suggestions for side dishes to serve these delicious crispers with:

Chili’s Chicken Crispers have a wonderfully delicious crispy crust. They’re really easy to make at home, and the batter is also great for fish! Chili’s Chicken Crispers will be a favorite with you and your kids.

overhead view of homemade Chili's chicken crispers and honey mustard sauce on a plate

Love Chili’s? Try these copycat recipes!

What is your favorite Chili’s menu item? What recipe do I need to tackle next? Let me know in the comments!

Favorite Fried Chicken Recipes

Check out more of my easy chicken tender recipes and the best copycat recipes for casual dining restaurants here on CopyKat!

Copycat Chili's Chicken Crispers and honey mustard sauce on a white plate.

Chilis Chicken Crispers

You can make the original Chili's Chicken Crispers at home with this copycat recipe. 
4.55 from 24 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Chicken Crispers, Chilis Recipes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 609kcal

Ingredients

Chicken Crispers

  • 1 pound chicken tenders
  • 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup club soda plus 2 tablespoons
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour for dredging

Honey Mustard

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

  • Preheat the oil to 350 degrees F.
  • Make the batter by first combining the club soda and the egg together. Whisk together until they form a uniform mixture.  
  • Then add in the dry ingredients: 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, salt, pepper. Stir together. Allow the batter to sit for a few minutes. 
  • Remove chicken from package and pat dry with a paper towel.
  • Dredge the chicken in 1/2 cup flour. Shake off excess flour.
  • Dip floured chicken into the batter and fry a few pieces at a time. If there is any additional batter left over, you could make some onion rings, but the excess batter should be discarded.
  • Prepare honey mustard by combining mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, cayenne, and honey. Stir well. You can store the honey mustard for about a week in your refrigerator. 

Notes

Tools recommended for this recipe.
I personally really love my TFal deep fryer. It makes deep frying a snap.

Nutrition

Calories: 609kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 113mg | Sodium: 1025mg | Potassium: 703mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 95IU | Vitamin C: 1.3mg | Calcium: 105mg | Iron: 3.7mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kathy Johnson

    I actually asked for Chili’s Southwest Rolls and the Chicken Crisper recipe appeared. I will try it as I never knew you could use club soda. I would really like the recipe for Southwestern Egg Roll’s.

  2. Emily

    5 stars
    I made this last night and it was delicious. I added a little extra seasoning and used beer instead of club soda. I would say this comes out pretty thick and leaves a thick breading. I’d either use 1/4 less cup flour or add a little more beer to the batter. I had leftover batter and used it for onion rings. they come out great too.

  3. Robin in Texas

    5 stars
    I have kids (adults now) who have food sensitivities. You may not know what a gift it is to be able to make “normal”, special-occasion (restaurant) foods by using your thoughtful recipes. I switch out a few ingredients to make them work for our family, and *VOILA!* we can have the yummy foods that most other people take for granted.

    Thank you!

  4. Kari

    I have made a lot of your recipes and love them. Thank you for keeping dinner interesting!

    I just had a quick question: can you cook these in an air fryer? Or do they just get messy? I’m trying to avoid digging out the deep fryer in January because it will stink up the house.

    • Stephanie

      Thank you for enjoying my recipes. I think this recipe would not work in the air fryer. Typically items are breaded are suited for the air fryer, food that is battered doesn’t work, because the batter slides off before the cooking is done.

  5. Sherry Canada

    The calories shown is 609 and the recipe serves 4. Are the calories 609 per serving or the entire recipe. Just seems like an awful lot if it is per serving. I love Chili Chicken Crispers, would love to make your recipe but not sure about those calories. Thanks for sharing.

  6. runner4life

    5 stars
    I liked the old fashioned crispers the best, and these hit the mark, and made me run all the way to the finish line.

  7. YellowBrickRoadLover

    5 stars
    I am very happy with the content of your article it is very beneficial and I wait for the next article to update the information again.

  8. Truckdriver66

    5 stars
    Loved these, even more, when I made them at home. I served them with Buffalo sauce. You can get them like that at Chilis.

  9. Evelyn

    I have commented twice and my comments have been removed. You mentioned club soda so I was just wondering where in the recipe is it used?

      • Stephanie

        The club soda is listed in the ingredients, it is the 7th ingredient in the chicken crispers, and then it is in the first sentence in the instructions. So I believe I have this covered. If I have failed to explain this let me know.

  10. I love math!

    5 stars
    Thank you for all your recipes Stephanie I’ve tried quite a few and have enjoyed them immensely.
    thank very much

  11. John White

    4 stars
    Thank you for all your recipes Stephanie I’ve tried quite a few and have enjoyed them immensely. This recipe looks pretty good to me too. I thought I saw the recipe for Chili’s Jalapeno Aioli on your site a while back, but have been unable to find it again. You wouldn’t by chance have a copykat version for that on hand? I would really appreciate it. Have a great weekend, it’s almost upon us.

  12. Sherry Derrico

    4 stars
    Sounds mouth watering good…..I am new on this site, and so far enjoy what I see.
    Thank YOU for your work

4.55 from 24 votes (10 ratings without comment)

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