Sticky Gochujang Chicken Tender Tacos | One Pot One Portion
These crispy chicken tender tacos with spicy gochujang mayo and a zingy lime coleslaw are maybe my new favourite 20 minute dinner for one. They couldn't be simpler- you can cook the chicken tenders in the air fryer, then make the slaw in the time it takes them to crisp up. I know I say I like variety when it comes to food but I think I'm going to be making these on repeat!
Hello readers! I'm Eleanor..
If you like this recipe, make sure to follow me on my socials for more!
About this dish
Crispy chicken tenders are getting a bit of a makeover in this recipe, transforming them from a freezer staple (and my favourite 3am post-pub snack) to a classy gochujang chicken tender taco with cabbage and lime slaw!
You all loved the one pot one portion fish finger fajitas I shared last week and so I thought it was only right to share one more deliciously simple recipe using another freezer favourite. Chicken tenders can be a super useful to have on hand for an easy dinner and though it may be tempting, and let's face it, delicious, to eat them with oven chips, I'd HIGHLY suggest rethinking them and instead making these crispy chicken tenders covered in a sticky, sweet gochujang mayo. The cabbage and lime slaw is also ridiculously easy but adds crunchy, zingy citrus flavour and extra creaminess, plus a nice herby flavour from coriander.
The recipe is surprisingly simple for the amount of flavour and joy you get from it, so give it a go- I think you'll love it!
If you like this recipe you might also like my other one pot one portion fish recipes including my Thai Red Curry Salmon Noodles, my Cod Provençal or my Kale, Salmon & Sweet Potato Salad.
Why you want to make this recipe
20 Minute Meal
This recipe only takes about 20 minutes. This is a 20 minute sheet pan meal that can be cooked in the oven or in the air fryer. The slaw gets made in the time it takes for the chicken tenders to cook then all that's left to do is assemble! Load them up and dig in!
Fresh Comfort Food
Recipes that are both comforting and fresh are my favourite genre of food. The chicken tenders and the tacos are unmistakably comforting (chicken tenders are a childhood classic for many so it's hard not to feel nostalgic) whilst the flavours of gochujang in the sauce, as well as lime, coriander and cabbage in the slaw keep the whole dish feeling so fresh.
One Pot Recipe
As with all of my recipes, this is a one pot dish or one pan dish, which makes every meal time easier and more enjoyable. Cooking for one is hard so only having one dish at the end of the meal keeps this feeling easy and accessible-because it is!
Single-Serve
Again, as always, this recipe is for single-serve tacos so you can make this just for yourself! The perfect dinner for one. Though it would be very easy to scale up to serve multiple people if needed.
Elements of the Dish
Crispy Chicken Tenders
- Chicken tenders are delicious, there's no doubting that, and whilst they're nice served with other freezer staples (hello oven chips and frozen vegetables) I think this recipe not only boost the flavour and makes the most of the crispy texture, but also adds a little more nutritional value making this a really balanced meal. Buy fresh tenders or frozen but I'd always reccomend buying the highest quality meat you can.
Gochujang Mayo
- If you haven't tried gochujang mayo then you must! I insist. This one has just 3 ingredients- mayo, gochujang and honey. I've used Kewpie mayo rather than regular mayo as it's extra creamy and adds a slight sweetness which goes well with the gochujang. The gochujang adds spice and depth thanks to the fermented chillis, and then honey again adds sweetness and balances out the whole flavour. I could make a whole tub of this!
Lime & Cabbage Slaw
- Again, the recipes in this slaw are super simple, accessible ingredients and the process is super easy. Finely slice a white cabbage then squeeze in lime juice, add fresh coriander, a little more kewpie mayo, season with salt and you're done!
Ingredients and Tools
Chicken Tenders
- Chicken tenders might not seem like a fancy ingredient but they're really levelled up in this dish. Buy fresh tenders or frozen but I'd always reccomend buying the highest quality meat you can.
Gochujang
- Gochujang is a Korean fermemted red pepper paste that adds umami depth and spice to any dish. It's made from gochugaru which is a spicy red pepper paste.
Kewpie Mayo
- You could use kewpie mayo or regular mayonnaise in this dish but I've opted for Kewpie. The difference between kewpie mayo and regular mayonnaise is that kewpie mayo has a slighlty deeper, sweeter flavour. It tastes richer because it only uses egg yolks, as opposed to the whole egg, so has a higher fat content and a richer taste.
Honey
- As well as gochujang and kewpie mayo, honey is added to the chicken tender sauce
White Cabbage
- I think white cabbage works perfectly here, as opposed to red cabbage as its both crunchy and tender.
Red Onion
- Finely sliced red onion also goes into the slaw to add a bit of bite, and soft heat. I love red onion because its slightly sweeter than white onion too.
Lime Juice
- Lime juice adds acidity and freshness to the slaw which cuts through the richness of the mayo and the spiciness of the gochujang.
Fresh Coriander/Cilantro
- One of the best herbs, coriander/cilantro brings herbacious freshness to the taco. Substitute for chives if you don't like cilantro!
Soft Shell Flour Tacos
- You could use corn or flour tortillas here but I do have a preference for flour tortillas because I prefer the slightly softer texture! Pure corn tortillas are a great option if you have a gluten intolerance though.
Step by step instructions
Cook the chicken tenders: add the chicken tenders to an oven proof dish or tray and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and crisp.
Make the slaw: add all the ingredients to a bowl and tossing together well to make sure the mayo is well combined.
Make the gochujang mayo: add the kewpie, gochujang and honey to a bowl and stir well. Add a small splash of water to loosen the mayo ever so slightly. 1 tsp should do.
Toss the chicken in the gochujang mayo: when the chicken is cooked, poor the gochujang mayo over the top and toss together well. Slice into pieces.
Load up the tacos: Heat up/toast your tortillas over a flame then load up with the slaw, and the chicken tenders. Top with a scatter of fresh chives and squeeze over an extra squeeze of lime juice. Enjoy!
Variations, substitutions or modifications
Cilantro:
If you are one of the unlucky ones with the soap gene, or you just don't like coriander/cilantro then I'd recommend using fresh chives instead! Their slight oniony flavour is perfect in the slaw to pair with the red onions.
Chicken Tenders:
If you don't want to use breaded chicken tenders then you could use chicken breast or thigh too, sliced up and seasoned with paprika and dried herbs, or a cajun mix would work too.
Gluten-Free:
To make this recipe gluten-free you'll want to use gluten-free tortillas/tacos and chicken tenders. 100% corn tortillas are a great option to keep things gluten-free, or find a flour tortilla that uses gluten free flour. With the chicken tenders, you can often find a gluten free version in the frozen section.
Vegetarian/Vegan:
You could use vegetarian/vegan meat-free chicken tenders. You could also use breaded tofu pieces, which would be delicious!
FAQs
Can I make crispy chicken tenders in the air fryer?
- Yes! These crispy chicken tenders can be made in either the oven or the air fryer. If using an air fryer, follow the oven instructions below but take 3-5 minutes off the cooking time, as everything will cook slightly quicker. I love to use my air fryer as it makes them extra crispy.
Can I make a double portion?
- You can easily double up this single-serve recipe just by doubling the ingredients.
If you like this recipe you might also like my other one pot one portion fish recipes including my Thai Red Curry Salmon Noodles, my Cod Provençal or my Kale, Salmon & Sweet Potato Salad.
Ingredients
For the Gochujang Chicken Tenders & Gochujang Mayo
- 3 Chicken Tenders
- 2 Tbsp Kewpie Mayonnaise/Regular Mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Gochujang Paste
- 1 tsp Honey
For The Lime Slaw
- 100g White Cabbage, finely sliced
- 1/4 Red Onion, finely sliced
- Juice of 1 Lime
- 1-2 Tbsp Kewpie Mayonnaise/Regular Mayonnaise
- Handful of Fresh Coriander/Cilantro, finely chopped
- Salt, to Taste
To Serve:
- 2-3 Soft Flour Tacos, warmed up in the microwave or lightly toasted over the stove.
- Fresh Chives, optional
- Extra Lime Juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven/air fryer to 200ºC/180ºC fan.
- Add the chicken tenders to an oven proof dish or tray and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and crisp.
- Make the slaw by adding all the ingredients to a bowl and tossing together well to make sure the mayo is well combined.
- For the gochujang mayo, add the kewpie, gochujang and honey to a bowl and stir well. Add a small splash of water to loosen the mayo ever so slightly. 1 tsp should do.
- When the chicken is cooked, poor the gochujang mayo over the top and toss together well. Slice into pieces.
- Heat up/toast your tortillas over a flame then load up with the slaw, and the chicken tenders. Top with a scatter of fresh chives and squeeze over an extra squeeze of lime juice. Enjoy!
More Recipes like this!
Like this recipe?
If you like this recipe, you'll love my cookbook! Full of delicious meals for all types of occasions, there's something for everyone
Meal Plans & More...
Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly meal plans, for one! I select 5 one pot one portion recipes that use similar ingredients and include your shopping list plus recipe notes, ingredient swaps and tips and tricks for using up leftovers. Take a look at the first one here...
Ginger Chicken Rice Bowl
Usually I would consider a brothy meal that you eat with a bowl and a spoon a form of comfort food, however, the flavours in this dish are so fresh and vibrant that it has to go in this chapter. I love the fiery freshness of ginger and it’s the predominant flavour in this rich chicken broth. The finished dish isn’t a soup as such, but there is just enough broth to make every mouthful deliciously juicy. It also takes minimal time to make so it’s a useful recipe to have on hand for days when you’re short of time.
Curried Chicken Skewers with Satay Slaw
I have an affinity for crunchy slaws, as I think they provide more interest, more texture and are more filling than many other salads. However, I’m not partial to excessive quantities of mayonnaise. Here I opt for coconut milk instead, which delivers the same creaminess in a less monotonous way. The fresh coriander and bite of roasted peanuts keep this slaw lively and interesting and are perfect with the lightly charred curried chicken skewers. This would also be great sandwiched between a burger bun, or on a soft flatbread.
Creamy Green Linguine
In a way, this linguine changed my life. It was the first recipe in the series to take off on social media, bringing new people and new opportunities into my life. It’s an exceptionally simple recipe that uses the same water to cook both the pasta and the vegetables, which you then use to create a velvety, carbonara-esque sauce with the cheese and egg. I’ve retested this and tweaked it since its original conception and, though I can’t promise it will change your life, I can promise it will be delicious.
Vegetable Pancake with a Chilli Crisp Egg
This vegetable pancake has its origin in Korea (where they’re known as yachaejeon) and is the perfect dish to use up odds and ends of any vegetables you have lying around. Cabbage, spring onions, carrots and courgettes work really well and provide a nice balance of moisture and crunch, but peppers, potatoes, mushrooms or leafy greens are good alternatives. Depending on the vegetables you use, you may need more or less water to make the light batter so adjust as necessary.
Prawn & Mango Salad
The perfect fresh, but still flavourful, summer salad! This is a beautiful fragrant salad with a creamy, zingy coconut milk dressing. With just a little bit of chopping and a minute of whisking, you’ve got a gorgeous summer lunch, perfect for working from home, taking lunch to the office or a sunny meal in the garden this weekend.
Some big praise!
Take a look at what some of my happy customers have to say about "One Pot, One Portion"!
"One Pot One Portion is, to borrow from The Parent Trap “a brilliant beyond brilliant idea”…I know many feel that it’s too much bother to cook ‘just’ for themselves — a sad admission, I feel — and to those people, and many others besides, I say: get this book and prove yourself liberatingly wrong!…Thank goodness for books! And thank goodness for Eleanor Wilkinson, a young talent to lift the spirits…There are so many people who could benefit from this book…this book is a boon and a blessing"
"A genius approach to bringing joy to every meal, Eleanor gets that good food is the best form of self-love."
I buy a lot of cook books and this is genuinely one of the best l've ever bought. I've tried 6 or 7 recipes so far and they're all winners. I'm well used to scaling recipes down to one portion, but not having to calculate measurements as l go along feels like a little luxury. One of the best things about the book is that all the recipes are actually cooked in one pot - in a lot of other so-called books you still have to make your side dish in a separate pot. With these recipes, even if they include rice or pasta, it's all cooked together. No mountains of washing up! Highly recommended.
I have been following Eleanor on IG for a while and have made several of her dishes before the cookbook came out. I was thrilled to see so many new things to try and have already made about 6 of them. Her recipes are approachable, the dishes are delicious, and they make me feel like I can cook! Highly recommend.
If you love eating good home cooked food but can't be bothered to cook just for yourself, then this is the book for you. Using ingredients that are easy to find, then mixing, cooking and eating from the same pan or dish means a minimum of washing up. Every recipe I have tried so far has been delicious and have all turned out well which isn't always the case with many cookery books. Definitely recommend!
Following Eleanor on Instagram and seeing her recipes come to life is one thing but then having them in my own kitchen is quite another. Not only are the recipes easy to follow and delicious she also help you not to waste food. This book is like having all your favourite foods in one place with the added bonus of an old friend showing you the ropes. Congratulations Eleanor when can I pre-order the next one?
Bought this for my sister who cooks for one. She absolutely loved it finding it inspiring! So many great recipes to motivate and keep you cooking when it's just you eating!
Follow Eleanor on socials and knew I NEEDED this book immediately! SO glad I paid extra and had it shipped from the UK (to US). Eleanor's voice is loud and clear in every recipe. The pictures are beautiful, the instructions are perfectly clear, and I want to make EVERYTHING. I cannot recommend this book enough!
This is perfect, as far as influencer chefs go, I find this book refreshing in what has become a cohort of lauded influencers who really aren't doing much more than the bog standard meals most people make anyway, or making googled recipes and adding their own "flair". This book is different as it's your normal fare you'd likely make yourself, given a little bit of a twist to speed up the process / use less utensils / ingredients / food waste, in really creative and tasty ways, all perfectly portioned for one.
Great present! Bought this for my sister who cooks for one. She absolutely loved it finding it inspiring! So many great recipes to motivate and keep you cooking when it's just you eating!
Great present! Bought this for my sister who cooks for one. She absolutely loved it finding it inspiring! So many great recipes to motivate and keep you cooking when it's just you
Follow Eleanor on socials and knew I NEEDED this book immediately! SO glad I paid extra and had it shipped from the UK (to US). Eleanor's voice is loud and clear in every recipe. The pictures are beautiful, the instructions are perfectly clear, and I want to make EVERYTHING. I cannot recommend this book enough!
This recipe book is stunning and fulfils its role brilliantly in catering for individuals who want to eat delicious meals, but don't want to prepare family sized portions or devote their entire evening to cooking. Who'd believe you could make an entire roast for one person and only use one pan in the process! She is a genius and I couldn't recommend this book any more highly.
One of the best things about the book is that all the recipes are actually cooked in one pot - in a lot of other so-called books you still have to make your side dish in a separate pot. With these recipes, even if they include rice or pasta, it's all cooked together. No mountains of washing up!
This is the book I've been waiting for! I (very happily!) live alone, love to cook and read cookery books, but every recipe is for two people or more. This gorgeous book contains recipes perfectly proportioned for one person (and I'm always a very hungry one person!) which ensures more variety, less food waste, and pure, gluttonous joy.
It's so nice to finally have a recipe book that I can go to if I want a quick easy meal with minimal cleaning up required! Everything l've tried so far is delicious. And I salivate at the thought of everything in there!
Totally reignited my cooking mojo which had been MIA for a while. I'm going to buy my daughter a copy to take back to Uni too as everything is simple and delicious - perfect for a student!
Best cookbook for somebody single!
The fact I know I won't have loads to wash up really feels motivating and l've earmarked so many of the recipes already.
This book is like having all your favourite foods in one place with the added bonus of an old friend showing you the ropes. Congratulations Eleanor when can I pre-order the next one?