Truly crispy fried chicken tenders are a dinnertime staple you’re whole family will love. Find out how to get that crispy crust you want, how to season like a pro (and how to skip steps if you don’t know how), and how to fry them up like “cast iron skillet” is your middle name.
I’m not going to lie or sugar coat this. If you haven’t ever fried anything, you’ll more than likely mess this up.
There must be a rule that says you can’t use a cast iron skillet as an adult if you don’t get your first one by age 5. No–frying takes practice. Lots of it.
Sometimes you’ll burn things, sometimes you’ll cook it too low and all the breading will fall off. Sometimes it will be golden on the outside and raw in the middle.
You just can’t give up. If you need to, use an electric skillet where you can set the heat or a fryer for safety. Please don’t burn your house down.
Don’t walk away from it. Don’t do laundry. Don’t take a nap. (I know a friend who has!)
My crispy fried chicken tenders don’t have any buttermilk listed, but if you want to wet yours in some before you drop them in the first round of flour, you can do that. I just didn’t here because I get the best crust with egg and flour.
You can make your family the most unhealthy ones on the block. I mean–think about it: donuts, pickles, Twinkies, funnel cakes. Oh man. Funnel cakes. I’m just looking out for your best interests here.
You can find chicken tenders on menus all over the United States. They are a popular starter or main dish. They are a delicious finger food because the outside is crispy and the inside is soft and juicy. You can make great deep-fried chicken tenders at home, but it can be hard if you don’t know how long to fry them. Undercook them and they’ll be soggy and raw inside. Overcook them and they’ll be dried out and tough. So how long do you need to fry chicken tenders until they’re perfectly done? Let’s take it step by step.
The Ideal Temperature for Deep Frying Chicken Tenders
The first key to fried chicken tender success is heating up your oil to the right temperature. Most experts recommend heating your fryer or pot of oil to 350-375°F. Oil that is too cool will make your chicken tenders absorb more oil and end up greasy. Oil that is too hot will burn the exterior before the interior is cooked through.
350°F hits the Goldilocks sweet spot of crisping up the breading while cooking the chicken thoroughly without drying it out Investing in a deep fry thermometer takes out the guesswork and helps you maintain the ideal oil temp,
Average Chicken Tender Frying Time
Once the oil is between 350°F and 375°F, carefully add the chicken tenders to the hot oil, being careful not to crowd the fryer. The oil temperature drops when there are too many people in it, which makes the cooking uneven. The average amount of time needed to fry 3/4-inch thick chicken tenders that don’t have any bones or skin is:
- 4-6 minutes
Flipping the tenders halfway through ensures even browning. Six minutes should be enough to get the inside to 165°F, which is a safe temperature for chicken. That being said, the time it takes to fry depends on how big and thick your tenders are, so it’s important to
Use a Meat Thermometer to Test Doneness
You can use frying times as a guide, but an instant read meat thermometer is the only way to be sure when your chicken tenders are fully cooked. To get a correct reading, put the probe into the thickest part of the tender. Chicken is safe to eat once it reaches 165°F internally. They can be taken out earlier if they reach 165° in less than 6 minutes. For safety and the best texture, always trust the thermometer to tell you how long to fry something.
Factors That Impact Chicken Tender Fry Times
Frying chicken tenders of varying sizes? Here are some factors that can increase or decrease the frying time:
Thicker tenders – Will take longer to cook through fully. Add 1-2 minutes to the frying time.
Larger tenders – Also require additional frying time. An extra 2-3 minutes should do.
Buttermilk soak – Buttermilk has a tenderizing effect that can slightly shorten fry time. Reduce time by 30-60 seconds.
Double dredging – Double dredging in flour/batter adds extra coating that needs time to crisp up, Add 1-2 minutes
Frozen tenders – Take significantly longer. Add 3-5 minutes to account for frozen interior.
Overcrowded fryer – Too many tenders lower oil temp and increase cook time. Fry in smaller batches.
Cooling oil – If oil temp drops below 350°F, frying time needs to be extended. Reheat oil between batches.
Tips for the Best Homemade Deep Fried Chicken Tenders
Follow these tips for replicating the crispy-juicy chicken tender perfection of your favorite restaurants:
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Use buttermilk: Soaking tenders in buttermilk before breading enhances juiciness.
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Double dredge: Dredge tenders in flour, dip in buttermilk, then dredge again for extra crispy coating.
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Flavorful breading: Season flour or breadcrumbs with garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and black pepper.
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Fry in batches: Avoid overcrowding the fryer to maintain oil temperature.
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Rest on rack: Drain fried tenders on a wire rack rather than paper towels to retain crispy exterior.
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Check oil temp: Use a thermometer and adjust heat so oil stays close to 350°F.
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Take tenders’ temp: Use a meat thermometer to test doneness instead of relying solely on frying time.
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Serve with sauce: Ranch, blue cheese, honey mustard, and BBQ sauce all pair deliciously with chicken tenders.
With the right frying time, temperature, and technique, you can achieve restaurant-quality deep fried chicken tenders from the comfort of your own kitchen. Just be sure to enlist some hungry family or friends to help you polish off these crispy, juicy homemade chicken tenders.
Tips for the best crispy fried chicken tenders
-Make sure your flour is well seasoned. If you aren’t confident in that area, I’ve given you measurements for salt and pepper in the recipe.
-Use a good skillet that controls heat well. Of course I’m going to recommend cast iron.
-Make sure the chicken tenders are well coated with bread crumbs. Let them sit for a few minutes before frying them. This makes the breading soft of gooey and it crisps up even better.
Add a skillet of cornbread and you’ll be all set! You can learn how to make cornbread here if you don’t know how or get brave and learn how to fry bone-in buttermilk fried chicken.
Fried Chicken Tenders | How to Make the Most Tender Chicken
FAQ
How many minutes to deep fry chicken tenders?
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. Mar 7, 2023.
How do you know when chicken tenders are done frying?
How long are you supposed to fry chicken in a deep fryer?
How long to deep fry chicken thighs? In general, it’ll take about 12-18 minutes. If you’re not sure if your chicken is done, the best way to tell is to check the temperature inside. 165 °F is the safe temperature for chicken thighs.
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.