Juicy Crispy Chicken Tenders (Printable)
Juicy, crispy chicken strips marinated in spiced buttermilk and fried until golden brown.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.3 lbs chicken breast tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
→ Marinade
02 - ½ cup buttermilk
03 - 1 tsp salt
04 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
05 - 1 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1 tsp paprika
→ Breading
07 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
08 - ½ cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
09 - 1 tsp paprika
10 - ½ tsp salt
11 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
→ For Frying
12 - 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
# Directions:
01 - Whisk together buttermilk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a large bowl. Add chicken strips and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours for enhanced tenderness and flavor.
02 - Combine flour, breadcrumbs, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish until well blended.
03 - Remove chicken from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Dredge each strip in the flour-breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure thorough coating.
04 - Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pot. Heat over medium-high heat until temperature reaches 350°F.
05 - Cook chicken tenders in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain proper oil temperature.
06 - Transfer cooked tenders to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve immediately with preferred dipping sauce.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The buttermilk marinade works like magic, making the chicken so tender it practically melts
- Double coating creates that crunch everyone fights over while staying juicy inside
02 -
- Patting excess marinade off before coating prevents soggy spots and helps the breading stick better
- Letting fried chicken rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels keeps the bottom crispy
03 -
- Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly and prevents the oil temperature from dropping too much
- Use a Dutch oven for more consistent heat if you have one, it really makes a difference