Yep, that was this writers reaction, too. You learn something new every day, and it turns out that the Granite State is the birthplace of a delectable dish straight from the heavens: chicken tenders. Or as we like to call them, chicken tendies.
You know em. You love em. You might have wanted to order a basket of tenders from the kids’ menu when you were out to eat as an adult. Heck, maybe you did, in which case we respect it.
According to USA Today, chicken tenders first came to be at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester, New Hampshire. The Epicentre goes on to explain that although the restaurant supposedly invented the famous dish back in 1974, some folks dispute the claim. Its possible that although the Puritan Backroom may have been where the term was coined, other restaurants may have already been serving chicken tenders under a different name.
The Puritan Backroom serves a variety of chicken tenders, including regular, buffalo, coconut, spicy, and broiled ones. If you want to see what might have been the first place where the chicken tender was made, Besides chicken dishes, the restaurant also has burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, pizza, and more. You can look at their menu here.
For now, here are some other places in New Hampshire where you can enjoy some pretty great chicken tendies:
Chicken tenders have become a staple food across America. Their convenience versatility and downright deliciousness have made them a go-to option for people of all ages. But who exactly invented this popular finger food? The origins of the chicken tender may surprise you.
A Revolutionary Snack is Born
The creation of the chicken tender took place in 1974 at the Puritan Backroom restaurant in Manchester, New Hampshire. Charlie Pappas, the owner of the restaurant, is credited with inventing chicken tenders
The story goes that Pappas was cleaning chickens one day when he realized there was usable breast meat left on the tenderloins after the breasts were removed. He trimmed this leftover meat and experimented with breading and frying it into tasty morsels. After perfecting his recipe, Pappas added the chicken tenders to the Puritan Backroom menu under the name “Chicken Fingers.” They were an instant hit.
Pappas had stumbled upon an ingenious way to reduce food waste and create a new menu item using an overlooked cut of chicken. His innovative snack was well-received by customers and chicken tenders were on their way to becoming a American favorite.
Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery
Not long after the idea came up, it was already popular. Within a few years, chicken tenders came in many different styles and were served all over the country. By the 1980s, most fast food chains had them on their menu all the time.
Restaurants put their own spin on Pappas’ original idea, tweaking the seasoning, breading and dipping sauces. Menu offerings ranged from classic breaded tenders to more elevated versions like Parmesan-crusted chicken tenders served over pasta. No matter how they were served, people couldn’t get enough of these tasty morsels.
The popularity of chicken tenders surged as they became a standard menu component in fast casual dining and delivery. Their convenience and versatility made them an easy choice for families and individuals looking for a quick meal on the go.
Chicken tender production scaled rapidly to meet demand. Food manufacturers mass produced frozen chicken tenders coated in breadcrumbs and seasoning that restaurants could simply reheat and serve. Chicken tenders became a multi-million dollar market unto itself.
Though imitated by many, Pappas’ original recipe and the name “Chicken Fingers” remain popular at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester. The local favorite has now been serving its iconic chicken tenders for over 45 years and counting.
Regional Twists Cause Culinary Debate
While the Puritan Backroom’s status as the original inventor of chicken tenders is widely accepted, some other restaurants in the south have challenged this notion.
People who support it say that there were seasonal shops in Savannah, Georgia and Baton Rouge, Louisiana that sold breaded chicken strips before the Puritan Backroom. However, these narratives appear unsubstantiated.
The consensus among food historians and chefs seems to agree that Pappas and the Puritan Backroom were the true pioneers. Though similar dishes may have existed previously on a small scale, Pappas is credited with popularizing chicken tenders on a broad commercial level.
The well-known “Manchester chicken tender” is a regional variation that has made things more complicated. These local changes, which include duck sauce, are most likely based on Pappas’ original recipe. People now think of Manchester when they hear the word “marinated tender,” but some see it as a different take on the original.
Debates around origin stories often happen when a food evolves and spreads regionally over time. Regardless of minor discrepancies, the Chicken Finger’s introduction at the Puritan Backroom in 1974 stands as the pivotal moment that catalyzed our nation’s chicken tender obsession.
An Unlikely Culinary Legacy
Charlie Pappas died in 2008, but every basket of chicken tenders served today is still a taste of his life. Because Pappas came up with it, an unusual cut of meat has become a mainstay of the American diet.
The versatility and mass market potential of chicken tenders exceeded Pappas’ wildest expectations back in 1974. Yet his simple idea for reducing waste and adding a new menu item ended up transforming the culinary landscape.
In 2023, the city of Manchester, NH officially trademarked its status as the Chicken Tender Capital of the World. They even erected a commemorative statue of Charlie Pappas honoring his role in creating this quintessential American snack.
Next time you enjoy a serving of hot, juicy chicken tenders, take a moment to appreciate the ingenuity of Charlie Pappas. His small-town idea ended up having an outsized impact on our national appetite.
These Are the Best Places to Get Chicken Tenders in New HampshireYeah, we know a thing or two about chicken tenders in New Hampshire! They were invented in our fine state after all! Here are some the best places to get this delicious crowd pleasing comfort food in the Granite State.
Gallery Credit: Kira Lew
And of course, whats a basket of chicken tenders without fries?
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Gallery Credit: Ginny Rogers
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FAQ
Where did chicken tenders originate?
Most people say that The Puritan Backroom in Manchester, New Hampshire, is where chicken tenders got their name. Based on The Puritan Backroom, they are said to have served them for the first time in 1974 under the name “chicken tenders.”
Did NH invent chicken tenders?
Fifty years ago, the breaded, fried chicken tender as we know it was invented in Manchester, N.H.
Did Puritan Backroom invented chicken tenders?
In 1974, their children built a room behind the candy store to house a restaurant. That same year, Charlie Pappas salvaged chicken pieces that had been trimmed from larger cuts, marinating and frying them to create chicken tenders.
Who invented the chicken nuggets?
Robert Carl Baker (December 29, 1921 – March 13, 2006) was an American inventor and Cornell University professor. He invented the chicken nugget as well as many other poultry-related inventions.