Chicken Tenders are a perfect combination of juicy, tender chicken and a golden, crunchy coating. Lightly seasoned and perfectly fried, they make for an irresistible snack or a main dish. It can be served with your favorite dipping sauce.
What Are Chicken Tenders?
Chicken tenders, also known as chicken strips or chicken fingers, are pieces of chicken breast that are breaded and fried to perfection. They’re often served with dipping sauces such as ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce. What makes chicken tenders so popular is their versatility—whether you’re preparing them for a casual weeknight dinner or a fun finger food for guests, they’re always a hit.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this recipe, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients:
- Chicken breasts – Fresh chicken breasts are best, but you can use frozen ones if needed. Make sure to slice them into tenders.
- Flour – This is the base of the breading, providing structure and crispiness.
- Breadcrumbs – Panko breadcrumbs give the tenders a crunchy texture. You can use regular breadcrumbs if that’s all you have, but panko makes them extra crispy.
- Eggs – Used to bind the flour and breadcrumbs to the chicken.
- Seasoning – Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. You can adjust the seasonings to your preference, but these basics will create a flavorful crust.
- Oil – Vegetable oil or canola oil for frying. Make sure to heat the oil properly so the tenders cook evenly and don’t become greasy.
- Optional: Fresh parsley or lemon wedges for garnish.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Chicken Tenders
- Don’t Skip the Double Dipping: For extra crispy tenders, make sure you double dip. First, coat the chicken in flour, then dip in the egg wash, and finally, coat it in breadcrumbs. This creates a thicker, crunchier coating.
- Use Panko for Maximum Crunch: While regular breadcrumbs can work in a pinch, panko breadcrumbs are your best bet for a crispy, crunchy texture that can’t be beaten.
- Ensure the Oil is Hot Enough: If your oil isn’t hot enough, your chicken tenders will absorb too much oil and become greasy. You want the oil to be around 350°F (175°C).
- Rest After Frying: Allow the chicken tenders to rest for a minute or two after frying. This helps the crust set and keeps them extra crispy.
- Try a Breading Variations: Add grated Parmesan to your breadcrumb mixture or use crushed cornflakes for an extra-crunchy finish.
Variations of Chicken Tenders
While the classic chicken tender is always a winner, you can mix things up with these variations:
- Spicy Chicken Tenders: Add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the flour mixture for a bit of heat.
- Baked Chicken Tenders: If you’re looking for a healthier option, you can bake the chicken tenders at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. They won’t be as crispy as fried, but they’ll still taste amazing.
- Crispy Chicken Tenders with a Twist: For a more indulgent version, coat your tenders in crushed potato chips or pretzels instead of breadcrumbs for a savory and unique crunch.
- Gluten-Free Chicken Tenders: Swap out the all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs for gluten-free alternatives. Almond flour and gluten-free panko work well as substitutes.
How to Serve Chicken Tenders
Chicken tenders are versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. Here are a few ideas:
- Classic Dipping: Serve your chicken tenders with a selection of dipping sauces like ranch dressing, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or sriracha mayo.
- With Fries: Pair them with crispy fries for the ultimate comfort food combo. You can even make sweet potato fries for a healthier twist.
- In a Salad: Toss your crispy chicken tenders over a bed of greens with tomatoes, cucumbers, and your favorite dressing for a light but satisfying meal.
- Sandwich Style: Place the tenders in a soft sandwich bun with lettuce, tomato, and your choice of sauce to create a tasty chicken tender sandwich.
How to Store Chicken Tenders
If you have leftovers (which can be rare!), here’s how to store them:
- Refrigerate: Allow the chicken tenders to cool to room temperature, then place them in an airtight container. Store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: To keep chicken tenders for longer, freeze them. Lay the tenders flat on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container. They can be stored for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: To reheat, bake the chicken tenders at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes or until they’re heated through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving, as it can make the crust soggy.
Recipe FAQs
- Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs can be used for this recipe if you prefer dark meat. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time slightly since thighs may take a bit longer to cook through. - Can I make chicken tenders ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bread the chicken tenders ahead of time and refrigerate them until you’re ready to fry them. They can also be frozen before frying for a quick meal later. - How do I make my chicken tenders extra crispy?
The key to crispy chicken tenders lies in the breading. Make sure to double coat the chicken with flour, egg, and breadcrumbs. Additionally, using panko breadcrumbs and frying at the right temperature will ensure maximum crunch. - Can I bake chicken tenders instead of frying them?
Yes! Baking chicken tenders is a healthier option. Simply bake at 400°F (200°C) for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through. - Can I use frozen chicken tenders?
While fresh chicken is always preferred, frozen chicken tenders can be used if necessary. Just make sure to thaw them properly before breading and frying.
Chicken Tenders
Chicken Tenders are a perfect combination of juicy, tender chicken and a golden, crunchy coating. Lightly seasoned and perfectly fried, they make for an irresistible snack or a main dish. It can be served with your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients
- Breadcrumbs: 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- Oil spray (for crisping)
Batter:
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard (or your favorite mustard)
- 2 tbsp flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
Chicken:
- 500g (1 lb) chicken tenderloins or chicken breast, cut into 2/3" thick slices
- Oil spray (for baking)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F). Spread the panko breadcrumbs on a baking tray, spray with oil, and toast for 3-5 minutes until golden brown. Transfer to a bowl.
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg, mayonnaise, mustard, flour, salt, and pepper until smooth. Add the chicken slices and toss to coat.
- Using tongs, dip each chicken piece into the toasted panko, pressing lightly to ensure it sticks. Place them on a rack-lined baking tray for even baking.
- Lightly spray the chicken with oil and sprinkle with a bit of salt. Bake for 15 minutes (or 20 minutes if your pieces are larger) until golden and crispy. Be careful not to overbake, or they’ll dry out.
- Once out of the oven, serve your crispy chicken tenders immediately with your favorite sauce (like honey mustard) and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 401Total Fat 19gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 14gCholesterol 92mgSodium 813mgCarbohydrates 33gFiber 2gSugar 3gProtein 22g
Dinnerfocus.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re making them for a casual dinner, a party appetizer, or a fun family meal, homemade chicken tenders are a crowd-pleaser. With just a few ingredients and some simple steps, you can make crispy, juicy chicken tenders that will have everyone coming back for more. Don’t forget to experiment with your favorite sauces and sides to make them even more delicious!
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