Crispy Fried Chicken Tenders (Printable)

Golden, juicy tenders with a perfectly seasoned crispy crust. Marinated in buttermilk for tenderness and fried until crunch perfection.

# Ingredient list:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 1.1 lbs chicken tenders
02 - 1 cup buttermilk
03 - 1 tsp salt
04 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/2 tsp onion powder

→ Coating

07 - 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
08 - 1 1/2 tsp paprika
09 - 1 tsp salt
10 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
11 - 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
12 - 1 tsp baking powder

→ Frying

13 - 2 cups vegetable oil

# Cooking steps:

01 - Whisk buttermilk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl. Add chicken tenders and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or overnight for optimal flavor penetration.
02 - Combine flour, paprika, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and baking powder in a shallow dish. Blend evenly to distribute spices throughout the flour mixture.
03 - Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or Dutch oven. Heat over medium-high heat until the temperature reaches 350°F. Use a cooking thermometer to verify proper temperature.
04 - Remove chicken from the marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Dredge each tender in the flour mixture, pressing firmly to ensure the coating adheres completely to the meat.
05 - Carefully place chicken tenders in the hot oil, working in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
06 - Transfer fried chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Let rest for 2 minutes before serving to allow the coating to set.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • The buttermilk marinade makes the chicken incredibly juicy inside while creating that crunch everyone craves outside
  • This recipe comes together faster than ordering takeout and tastes infinitely better than anything from a drive-through
02 -
  • Patting the chicken dry before the first flour coat helps the marinade stick better and prevents soggy spots
  • Letting the fried chicken rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels keeps the crust crispy on all sides
03 -
  • Double dipping tenders back into the buttermilk and then flour creates an extra thick crust that stays crunchy longer
  • Line your plate with a wire cooling rack instead of paper towels to keep air circulating around all sides
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