How to Make Crispy Fried Chicken Tenders: A Simple Guide
Who doesn’t love crispy fried chicken tenders? They’re golden, crunchy, and packed with flavor—perfect for snack time, dinner, or even parties. The best part is, you don’t need complicated ingredients or fancy cooking skills to make them. In this blog, we’ll go through the simple steps on how to create crispy fried chicken tenders in your own kitchen. Let’s get started!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Before jumping into the process, make sure you have these ingredients handy:
- Chicken tenders: About 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken strips.
- Eggs: 2 large eggs (for the egg wash).
- Milk: 1/4 cup of milk (you can use buttermilk for extra flavor).
- Flour: 1 cup of all-purpose flour.
- Breadcrumbs: 1 cup of seasoned breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs for extra crunch.
- Seasoning: Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (optional for a spicy kick).
- Oil: Enough vegetable oil or canola oil for frying.
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by cutting your chicken into thin strips if it’s not already done. If you’re using pre-cut tenders, give them a quick rinse and pat them dry with paper towels. Dry chicken is important because it ensures the coating sticks well and becomes crispy when fried.
Season the chicken tenders generously with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or any spice you love. Let the chicken sit for a few minutes to soak up the flavor while you prepare the coating.
Step 2: Set Up the Coating Stations
Making crispy tenders is all about layering your coating properly. You’ll need three bowls for this step:
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Bowl 1: Add 1 cup of all-purpose flour. You can season the flour with a pinch of salt and paprika for an extra layer of seasoning.
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Bowl 2: Whisk 2 eggs and 1/4 cup of milk together. This egg wash helps the breadcrumbs stick better.
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Bowl 3: Place 1 cup of breadcrumbs. Panko breadcrumbs work really well for creating a crunchy texture, but you can use regular seasoned breadcrumbs too.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken
Now it’s time to dip the chicken tenders into each bowl. Follow this order to get a perfect, crispy coating:
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Roll each chicken tender in the bowl of flour. Make sure it’s fully covered, shaking off any excess.
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Dip the flour-coated chicken into the egg wash. The egg helps hold the breadcrumbs together.
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Press the chicken into the breadcrumbs, ensuring it’s fully covered. Pat the breadcrumbs gently so they stick well to the chicken.
Repeat these steps for all your chicken tenders. By the end, you should have perfectly coated strips that are ready to fry.
Step 4: Heat the Oil
To fry your chicken tenders, you’ll need enough oil to submerge them fully or half-submerge them in a pan. Pour about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil or canola oil into a deep frying pan or pot. Heat the oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test the oil by dropping a small breadcrumb into it; if it sizzles, the oil is ready.
Step 5: Fry the Chicken
Carefully place the chicken tenders into the hot oil. Fry them in batches so the pan doesn’t get overcrowded. Cook the tenders for about 4-5 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and crispy.
Use tongs to gently flip the tenders halfway through the cooking process to ensure they’re fried evenly. Once the chicken is done, use a slotted spoon or tongs to remove it from the oil and place it on a plate lined with paper towels. The paper towels will soak up any extra oil.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy!
Your crispy fried chicken tenders are ready to eat! Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces—ketchup, ranch, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or even spicy mayo. You can pair them with fries, a fresh salad, or mac and cheese for a complete meal.
Tips for Success:
Here are a few extra tips to guarantee great results:
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Don’t overcrowd the pan: This can lower the oil temperature, making the chicken soggy instead of crispy.
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Use fresh oil: Avoid reusing old oil as it can affect the flavor and texture.
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Keep it warm: If you’re frying in batches, you can place cooked tenders in a preheated oven at low heat (about 200°F) to keep them warm until ready to serve.
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Season your breadcrumbs: If store-bought breadcrumbs aren’t seasoned, mix in some paprika, garlic powder, and a sprinkle of salt to boost the flavor.
Final Thoughts
Crispy fried chicken tenders are easy to make, and they’re sure to be a hit with everyone! With fresh chicken strips, a little seasoning, and the perfect coating, you can create a batch of tenders that are even better than what you’d get at a restaurant. Now that you know how to make them, grab your ingredients and start cooking—you’ll be enjoying homemade crispy chicken tenders in no time!
Happy frying!
