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. Having my favorite dipping sauces on hand with quick, homemade crispy chicken tenders is the best way for me to feel good and save time. 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. Flick a tiny piece of bread into the hot oil – see if it sizzles and turns golden brown pretty quickly. 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!.
You could serve it with rolls, steamed broccoli, mashed potatoes, caramelized onions, sweet potato fries, mac and cheese, or buttermilk biscuits, to name a few.
You will love how tender, juicy and EASY these chicken tenders are for weeknights or weekends at home.
Chicken tenders are a fan favorite for kids and adults alike. Their mild flavor and tender bite make them an easy crowd-pleaser. Breaded and fried chicken tenders are a go-to appetizer at restaurants and parties. But homemade chicken tenders coated in a flavorful crispy batter are super easy to make at home and taste so much better than frozen store-bought versions.
You can make insanely tasty chicken tenders with a light and crunchy homemade batter with just a few simple tools and ingredients. Read on to find out how to make the best batter for chicken tenders that are always juicy and golden brown.
Choosing the Right Chicken
Most people use chicken breast tenders for chicken fingers because they are naturally thin and tender. To find them, look for individual tenders, which are also called chicken tenderloins or chicken strips. Or, slice chicken breasts lengthwise into long 1-inch thick strips. Just avoid using chicken nugget-style pieces, which are too thick.
Boneless skinless chicken breasts or tenders work best. The chicken will cook up more evenly and develop a better crust without bones or skin. Make sure the chicken is pounded to an even 1⁄2-inch thickness so it fries up evenly.
Keeping it Simple with Flour and Eggs
A basic batter for chicken tenders only needs two components – flour and egg. The protein-rich egg and starchy flour work together to adhere to the chicken and get deliciously crispy.
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All-purpose flour provides structure and that crispy, golden exterior. About 1 cup flour per 1 pound of chicken is a good ratio.
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Eggs help the batter adhere to the chicken. Use 1 large egg per pound of chicken.
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Water or milk thins out the batter to a coatable consistency. Add around 1⁄4 to 1⁄2 cup liquid per pound of chicken.
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Seasonings like salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, etc can be added to taste.
That’s really all you need for a simple, foolproof chicken tender batter!
Breading for Extra Crunch
For even more crunch, breading the tenders is key. The coating technique is simple:
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Dredge tenders in flour, coating all sides. Shake off excess.
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Dip in egg batter to adhere crumbs.
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Coat again in flour, bread crumbs, or panko.
The double coating makes the chicken really crispy. Make sure to press the crumbs in well and evenly. Before frying, letting the coated tenders sit for 5 to 10 minutes helps everything stick.
You can make great coatings with extra crunch with Panko breadcrumbs, crushed corn flakes, or potato chips. Use pork rinds, shredded coconut, or cereal as coatings to make them more interesting. Any coarsely crushed crunchy ingredient will work great.
Choosing the Right Oil
The oil you fry in significantly impacts the taste and texture of your chicken tenders. Opt for neutral tasting oils with high smoke points.
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Peanut oil is the gold standard for frying. It has a neutral flavor and withstands high heat.
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Vegetable, canola or sunflower oil also work well.
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Avoid olive oil as it can burn and impart strong flavor.
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Shortening or lard are also excellent choices.
Heat oil to 350-375°F on a deep fry or candy thermometer for best results. The chicken should bubble and float right away when added. Fry in batches to maintain oil temperature.
Locking in Moisture
Battered chicken can turn out dry and overcooked since the crust insulates the interior. Here are some tips for keeping your tenders juicy:
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Don’t overcrowd the pan. Fry in small batches.
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Use thick batters vs thin, which stays wet on the interior.
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Brine chicken in salty water for 30 mins before breading.
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Don’t overcook! Cook just until coating is golden brown.
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Let rest 5 minutes before cutting to allow juices to redistribute.
Getting the interior and exterior just right takes some practice. Undercooking leads to a soggy crust and raw chicken. Overdoing it yields dried out, rubbery meat. Use an instant read thermometer to check doneness – cook to 165°F internally.
Favorite Dipping Sauces
A bowl of sauces for dunking is essential for chicken tenders! Whip up quick homemade dipping sauces while the chicken fries.
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Honey mustard: Whisk together 1⁄4 cup each honey, mustard, and mayo.
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Ranch: Mix 1 cup mayo with 1 Tbs each parsley, dill, onion powder, garlic powder, lemon juice, and salt & pepper.
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BBQ sauce: Combine your favorite bbq sauce with a bit of brown sugar, vinegar, and chili powder.
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Buffalo: Mix hot sauce like Frank’s Redhot with butter, garlic, and vinegar to taste.
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Sweet chili: Stir together Thai sweet chili sauce, lime juice, sesame oil, and cilantro.
Get creative with dipping sauces! The possibilities are endless.
Extra Crispy Oven “Fried” Tenders
If you want to avoid deep frying, these oven baked tenders are a healthy alternative with a deliciously crispy crust.
The technique is similar to traditional fried chicken, with a few adjustments:
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Use crushed cornflakes or panko for the crunchy coating.
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Spray breaded chicken with oil before baking.
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Bake at high heat, 475°F, to mimic frying.
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Cook on a wire rack over a baking sheet for even crisping.
While not quite as crispy as deep fried, the oven method produces delicious chicken tenders without all the oil. Give them a try!
Fun Flavor Twists
Plain chicken tenders are delicious, but you can also get creative with the batter and coatings. Try these fun flavor ideas:
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Add 1 tsp each chili powder, cumin, oregano, garlic powder, and cayenne to the batter.
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Use crushed tortilla chips or Doritos for the coating.
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Toss cooked tenders in Buffalo wing sauce.
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Sprinkle seasoned breadcrumbs with parmesan, rosemary, lemon zest, etc.
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Use coconut flakes, crushed graham crackers, or chopped nuts for the coating.
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Serve with flavors like honey mustard, bbq sauce, or sweet & sour sauce.
The possibilities are endless for customizing crispy chicken tenders.
Perfect Every Time
Making juicy chicken tenders with a light, crispy batter coating is easy with a few tricks. Follow these steps for perfect homemade tenders:
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Pound chicken to an even thickness.
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Make a simple egg and flour batter seasoned to taste.
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Bread tenders in flour, batter, then crunchy coating.
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Fry in peanut oil at 350-375°F until golden brown.
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Check internal temperature to ensure doneness.
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Let rest before serving with fun dipping sauces.
Now you’re ready to make insanely delicious chicken tenders at home that are better than any restaurant. Get creative with flavors and coatings to take this classic appetizer to the next level. Enjoy!
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.
How To Make Crispy Sweet & Spicy Fried Chicken Tenders
FAQ
How do you make fried chicken tenders crispy?
Toss crispy fried chicken tenders in your favorite wing sauce! Keep tenders warm in a 250°F until serving for chicken tenders to stay crispy. If your breading looks flat give it another dip in the slurry and flour. Add a tablespoon of hot sauce to the cornstarch slurry for extra Southern Flavors to the chicken strips.
How do you make chicken tenders taste of home?
Taste of Home In a shallow bowl, whisk the egg and buttermilk together. In a separate shallow bowl, stir together the flour, garlic powder, pepper, salt and paprika. Taste of Home Set up an assembly line of the wet and dry mixtures, along with the chicken tenders.
How do you cook chicken tenders with flour?
Set up an assembly line of the wet and dry mixtures, along with the chicken tenders. One by one, dip the chicken tenders in the egg mixture, then the flour mixture, gently patting the flour into the tender so it sticks. Editor’s Tip: Make sure to press the chicken firmly into the flour, and if there are any clumps, leave them!.
How do you cook chicken tenders at 165 degrees?
The special batter, with garlic powder and onion powder, not only coats the chicken perfectly but also infuses each tender with mouthwatering flavor. Cook to Perfection: Make sure the chicken is safe to eat and tender by keeping an eye on it until it reaches 165°F on the inside.
What can I put on chicken tenders?
For sauces, barbecue, honey mustard, ranch, blue cheese or sriracha mayo are just a few homemade condiment recipes you can serve with chicken tenders. In a shallow bowl, whisk egg and buttermilk. In a separate shallow bowl, combine the flour, garlic powder, pepper, salt and paprika.
How do you make a quick meat tenderizer?
Put chicken strips in a bowl with 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. Let them sit for 10 minutes. Then rinse and pat dry to proceed with the recipe. Coat Chicken in your favorite wing sauce! To Make-Ahead: Keep tenders warm in a 250°F until serving for chicken wings to stay crispy. Toss with the wing sauce before serving if desired.
How to make a simple batter for chicken?
Mix flour, baking powder and salt together. Add milk and water slowly, then beat until batter is smooth. Dip fish or chicken into batter, allow excess to drip off. Deep fry until golden brown.
How to make homemade battered chicken strips?
Coat chicken in flour, then eggs, and then bread crumbs, one piece at a time, and set aside. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Fry chicken in small batches until the pieces are golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove chicken to drain on paper towels or a wire rack.
How do you make batter?
MethodTake a large mixing bowl and add the flour and ½ tsp fine salt. Whisk together to incorporate the salt. Add the water and whisk until the batter is completely smooth and the flour is fully combined. Take the oil and pour into a large, sturdy saucepan with high sides. Heat over a high heat until it reaches 200C.