Juicy, extra-crispy boneless chicken tenders with a flaky golden coating. No special equipment needed and ready in under 15 minutes! So delicious dunked in your favorite dipping sauce. Easy, family friendly fried chicken that is 100x better than any takeout.
In the past, when I craved crispy fried chicken, I would dial up the closest greasy spoon. The less-than-crispy contents in the takeout bag have always been less than satisfying. So, I’ve learned that nothing beats the comfort and convenience of quick, homemade crispy chicken tenders with my favorite dipping sauces. After trying this foolproof 20-minute recipe, you will definitely agree.
Frying has a bad rap as being an intimidating task. But, it really is so simple! Having a large pot and a candy thermometer for accurate temperatures helps. I don’t use a thermometer, though. Put a small piece of bread into the hot oil and watch to see how quickly it sizzles and turns golden brown. There’s your answer to a perfect oil temp for frying flawless chicken, or any fried treat.
We love dunking these in our favorite dipping sauces. My favorite is a sweet-spicy Thai sweet chili sauce. You also try my perfectly tangy honey mustard sauce. Or, Ranch dressing (mix with Sriracha for a zesty kick!). Try buffalo sauce, Bleu cheese dressing, marinara sauce, Caesar dressing, and any other delicious dipping sauce you can dream up!.
Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, sweet potato fries, rolls, steamed broccoli, mac and cheese or buttermilk biscuits… just to name a few options!.
You will love how tender, juicy and EASY these chicken tenders are for weeknights or weekends at home.
Crispy juicy chicken tenders fresh from the deep fryer are hard to resist. That golden, crunchy coating enveloping tender moist chicken is comfort food at its finest. But nailing the perfect fry time can seem tricky. Undercook them and you’ll end up with uncooked chicken. Fry them too long and they’ll be dried out. So how long exactly should you deep fry chicken tenders?
Understanding Deep Frying
Putting food in hot oil, usually between 350°F and 375°F, for a short time is called deep frying. The high heat quickly turns the outside brown and cooks the inside. Since hot oil moves heat around much better than air, deep-frying food cooks it very quickly.
The high temperature also dries out the food’s surface, making it crispy. The crisp coating seals in moisture, keeping the interior juicy. If you want to deep fry, oils with high smoke points are best, like canola, corn, peanut, and vegetable oil.
Key Factors That Influence Fry Time
Several factors impact how long chicken tenders need to fry:
Chicken Thickness
So the heat can reach the middle, thicker tenders need more time to fry than thin ones. As a general rule, tenders should be cut to a thickness of 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch.
Breading Thickness
A heavy breading insulates the chicken increasing cook time. A light breading allows faster heat transfer.
Oil Temperature
The hotter the oil, the faster the chicken will cook. Ideal frying temperature is 350-375°F.
Amount of Chicken
Frying too much chicken at once cools the oil significantly, resulting in longer cook times. Fry in batches to maintain oil temp.
Starting Temperature
Room temp chicken fries faster than refrigerated. But don’t leave raw chicken at room temp for more than 2 hours.
How Long Should You Fry Chicken Tenders?
For 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch thick tenders, the ideal fry time is around 3-5 minutes at 350-375°F. Thinner or smaller pieces may cook faster, while thicker or heavily breaded pieces may need more time.
Fry in small batches so the oil temperature doesn’t drop too much. Let the oil recover between batches.
Tips for Perfectly Fried Tenders Every Time
Follow these tips for tender, juicy chicken encased in a crispy golden coating:
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Cut chicken into uniform 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 inch strips for even cooking.
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Use a thermometer to maintain 350-375°F oil temperature.
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Dredge tenders in flour, then egg wash, then breadcrumbs for a light, crunchy coating.
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Fry 3-5 pieces at a time until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes.
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Flip occasionally to ensure even browning.
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Check internal temp with a meat thermometer to ensure 165°F.
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Drain on a paper towel lined rack. Season immediately with salt.
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Let oil fully reheat between batches. Don’t overcrowd.
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Work in batches to prevent oil temp from dropping too low.
Serving Up Your Crispy Tenders
Once fried to golden perfection, serve your chicken tenders immediately with dipping sauces like honey mustard, ranch, bbq sauce or sweet chili sauce. Or toss them in a salad or sandwich.
They pair well with sides like fries, coleslaw, cornbread, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, or biscuits.
Troubleshooting Common Deep Frying Issues
If your fried chicken isn’t turning out right, here are some common problems and solutions:
Raw inside: Oil temperature too low or tenders too thick. Fry at 350-375°F and use thinner tenders.
Burnt coating: Oil temp too high. Lower to 350-375°F.
Soggy coating: Oil not hot enough before frying. Allow oil to fully preheat.
Greasy chicken: Oil temp too low or overcrowding. Increase temp, fry in smaller batches.
Breading falls off: Chicken not dried properly before breading. Ensure chicken is dry before breading.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Fried Chicken
You can keep fried chicken tenders in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat gently in a 350°F oven or toaster oven until warm, about 10 minutes. The texture won’t be as crunchy but it will still taste delicious.
For maximum crunch, you can re-fry the tenders by quickly frying at 375°F for 1-2 minutes. But avoid frying more than once as this can make the coating greasy.
Satisfying That Fried Chicken Craving at Home
Now that you know how long to fry chicken tenders, you can enjoy fast, crispy fried chicken any night of the week. With the right technique, you can achieve professionally crispy results in your own kitchen. Experiment with different breadings and dipping sauces to make it your own. Just be prepared for requests for second helpings!
Crispy Fried Chicken TendersYield:
- 1.2 to 2 pounds of chicken tenders OR 2 large breasts of chicken without bones or skin cut into 1-inch-thick strips
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 large egg + 2 tablespoons water, beaten
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Fill a large pot with about 2 inches of oil.
- Put flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a large bowl and mix them together.
- In separate large dish, whisk egg and water.
- Dredge the chicken in the flour, coating well. Remove any extra flour, dip in the egg, and then back into the flour. Set aside.
- The oil should be between 365 and 375 degrees F. If it’s not, add a little flour. Add chicken two to four pieces at a time if it starts to sizzle. Fry until golden brown, which should take about eight to ten minutes.
- Cook remaining chicken in batches.
- Transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
- Choose from honey mustard, Ranch, Bleu cheese, Thai sweet chili sauce, or your own favorite dipping sauce.
Easy Deep Fried Chicken Tenders Recipe
FAQ
How long does it take to deep fry chicken tenders?
Deep-frying chicken tenders typically takes 4 to 10 minutes, depending on the oil temperature and batch size. Preheat the oil to 350-375°F (175-190°C) and fry in small batches to ensure even cooking.
How long does it usually take to deep fry chicken?
In general, it’ll take about 12-18 minutes. Checking the internal temperature is the best way to know if your chicken is done, especially if you’re new at this. 165 °F is the safe temperature for chicken thighs. Don’t be afraid to poke a meat thermometer through the crust to check the temperature—it’s worth it!.
How long to deep fry chicken in 350 oil?
In a deep fryer, heat the oil to 350 degrees F. Carefully drop the chicken pieces in one at a time with tongs so as not to splash the hot oil. Fry the chicken for 12 to 15 minutes, until it is golden brown and cooked through.