Juicy, flavorful and crispy as can be Fried Chicken Tenders are SO easy to make in just 30 minutes! Chicken tenders are breaded in boldly seasoned flour and buttermilk before being deep fried to absolute perfection. I like these better than any restaurant tenders I’ve ever had!
I guess you could call my love of chicken tenders a guilty pleasure… but I don’t feel guilty about it at all! There’s nothing quite like dipping a juicy, well seasoned, crispy chicken tender into some ketchup or bbq sauce. I think I’ve probably tried every chicken tender known to man (my kids order them at restaurants and never finish them, which leaves me to happily enjoy their leftovers). Trust me when I say that these tenders are SO much better than any others I’ve tried – and I’m basically an expert!
What’s in fried chicken tenders?
This easy 30 minute fried chicken tenders recipe comes together with simple ingredients that I almost always have on me! For the full list of ingredient measurements, keep on scrolling down to the recipe card.
- Chicken Tenders: I love this recipe with chicken tenders, because they’re so… tender! If you want to use chicken breast instead, you absolutely can. Cut the breast into thin and even strips and follow the recipe as directed.
- Oil: Use vegetable oil, shortening, or peanut oil for best results.
- Buttermilk: This is what helps keeps the chicken so tender and juicy!
Variations To Try
- You can increase the amount of hot sauce for a spicier chicken tender if you prefer.
- Two coatings of buttermilk and flour mixture make a thick breading. It’s not necessary, but I definitely prefer a thicker breading on my tenders!
- Not sure what to serve with these? Try this steamed broccoli!
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How to Store and Reheat
Any leftovers you have can be stored in an airtight container for 2-3 days and can be reheated in the oven or an air fryer to re-crisp the breading.
How to Freeze
Let the cooked chicken tenders fully cool to room temperature prior to freezing in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Don’t forget to date and label!
Notes and Tips
- Make sure the chicken tenders aren’t too thick.
- Use an instant read thermometer to check the temperature of the oil! If it gets too hot or not hot enough, your tenders won’t cook properly.
- A dutch oven works best for stovetop deep frying because it holds the temperature evenly.
- When you add the chicken to the oil, the temperature of the oil will drop. Avoid adding too many pieces of chicken at once! That’ll lead to a more dramatic shift in oil temperature.
- If you have access to a deep fryer, use it! They hold the temperature better than a dutch oven.
- Strainers work best for lifting the fried chicken from the hot oil without breaking apart the breading. Tongs also get the job done.
Easy Fried Chicken Tenders Recipe
These deep fried chicken tenders are one delicious treat that I just know you are going to love! Soaked in buttermilk and coated with a seasoned flour, they come out so juicy and succulent.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total Time
: 30 minutes
Servings: 5 people
Ingredients
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1½ cups buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon Tobasco hot sauce
- 1½ pounds chicken tenders about 10 tenders
- vegetable oil or shortening for frying at least 4 cups
Instructions
- Be sure that chicken is thawed completely, drained, and pat dry with paper towels.
- Fill a dutch oven or heavy stock pot with at least 4 inches of oil, preferably 6”. Heat the oil until it reaches 350°F (this will take 15 minutes or so), Get the oil heating while preparing the chicken.vegetable oil or shortening for frying
- In a bowl, whisk together buttermilk and hot sauce. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and onion powder in a shallow bowl or on a sheet of parchment paper.1½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt, 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 1½ cups buttermilk, 1 teaspoon Tobasco hot sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- Dip each side of the chicken tenders in the flour mixture, then dip into the buttermilk mixture and back into the flour mixture. For extra breading, repeat this process one more time.1½ pounds chicken tenders
- Carefully drop one chicken piece at a time into heated oil and fry until cooked through (the center should reach 165°F). The outside should be deep golden brown and crispy. Maintain an oil temperature of 350°F for best results. The chicken tenders will cook through in about 5 minutes. I’ve found that as long as the oil temperature is maintained correctly, the chicken will be cooked by the time the breading is a deep golden brown.
- Place cooked chicken on paper towels or brown paper bags to soak up excess oil.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For perfectly fried chicken pieces, be sure they are not too thick (pound to 1⁄2” if necessary). Maintain a decent depth of oil and the proper oil temperature for best results.
- Use an instant read thermometer to check and monitor the temperature of the oil.
- A dutch oven works well for stovetop deep frying because it holds the temperature more evenly than lightweight pots and pans.
- When you add the chicken to the oil, the oil temperature will drop. Avoid adding too many pieces of chicken at once which can lead to a more dramatic shift in oil temperature. Likewise, the oil can easily heat above 350°F, burning the breading before the chicken is cooked through.
- The seasonings add a little punch of flavor to the breading. Kick up the amount of hot sauce or add buffalo sauce for a spicier chicken tender.
- Two coatings of buttermilk and flour mixture make a nice, crispy thick breading. It’s not necessary, but I do like it extra yummy if I’m going to go to the effort of deep frying.
- Use vegetable oil, shortening, or peanut oil for best results.
- If you have access to a deep fryer, they work really well because the oil temperature is held even and you don’t have to toss the oil every time.
- Strainers work really well for lifting the fried chicken from the hot oil without breaking apart the breading. Tongs will work also.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Fried Chicken Tenders Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 433
Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Fat 17g26%
Saturated Fat 11g69%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 95mg32%
Sodium 953mg41%
Potassium 659mg19%
Carbohydrates 33g11%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 35g70%
Vitamin A 360IU7%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 99mg10%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Looks delicious I don’t have air fryer. I prefer cook in oven, I would love to do it in the oven,
any suggestions please.
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