Deep Fried Chicken Tenders Recipe

This deep fried chicken tenders recipe is what you need to make crispy buttermilk fried chicken tenders that are moist and tender inside with crispy, crunchy golden outer. It is simple and quick to make with only a few basic ingredients and less than 30 minutes of cooking time. Let me show you how to fry chicken tenders.

Deep Fried Chicken Tenders Recipe

This deep fried chicken tenders recipe is simply the best fried chicken tenderloins recipe.

The tenders are marinated in buttermilk, coated in seasoned flour, and fried to perfection. The crispy, crunchy skin with the juicy tender inside is bursting with flavors.

Frying chicken tenders require minimal prep. These buttermilk fried chicken tenders are easy and quick to make with only simple steps and this recipe will show you how to get it right.

Crispy fried chicken breast tenders are our favorite boneless fried chicken and we like serving it with sides like potatoes, rice, and veggies. They are perfect eaten on their own or serve on a bed of salad, make fried chicken burgers with it, use in wraps, or serve with a side of crispy potatoes, vegetables, rice, pasta, or any of your choice.

Deep fried chicken tenderloins are made with simple ingredients that you can easily get and that's if you don't already have them in your kitchen.

Crispy breaded chicken tenders are versatile and can be served with any side dish. This is one chicken that even picky eaters will enjoy. Once you try this recipe, It will be a staple in your home in no time at all.

Let me show you how to deep fry chicken tenders.

Related: Deep fried chicken breast, deep fried chicken legs

Ingredients

The full ingredient quantities and instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Chicken tenders- I used ready cut chicken tenders but If you have chicken breast you can slice it into strips.

Buttermilk

Flour-  This is what gives the chicken the breading that is crunchy, crispy golden brown outer.

Egg- This serves as a binder that binds the flour to the chicken.

Cayenne pepper - This can be substituted for hot sauce. Adjust the quantity to suit your taste.

Onion granules- This flavors the chicken. Onion granules can be substituted for onion powder.

Garlic granules- This can be substituted for garlic powder.

Paprika- I like to use smoked paprika

Salt- For taste

Oil- For deep frying tenders.

How To Fry Chicken Tenders

Here's a step-by-step direction with pictures on how to fry chicken tenders:

Make the seasoning mix- Add paprika, cayenne pepper, onion granules, garlic granules, thyme, and salt in a bowl. Mix together till incorporated.

Add buttermilk to a bowl then add half of the seasoning mix to it. Mix till well combined.

Add the chicken tenders to the buttermilk marinade. Ensuring the chicken tenders are covered in the marinade. Cover the bowl and put it in the fridge for the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes up until 12 hours.
You can also marinate the chicken in a Ziploc.

Bring the chicken out and let it come to room temperature

In another bowl, combine the flour, and the remaining seasoning mix.

Break the egg into another bowl and whisk.

Take a chicken tender from the marinade, and coat it in the flour mixture.

Then coat in the mixture egg.

Then coat it again in the flour mix.

Transfer the breaded chicken tenders to a plate.

Repeat the process till all the chicken tenders are breaded.

Line a  plate with paper towels and set it next to the stove.

In a deep pot, add vegetable oil that is at least 2-3 inches deep in the pot. You can use a chip pan.

Heat the oil on medium heat and when it is about 360F, add some of the chicken tenderloins in the hot oil.

Fry till they are golden brown outside and the inside tender, and cooked.
Cook all sides till golden brown. Adjust the temperature if browning too fast.

Transfer the cooked tenders to the paper towel lined plate.

Then fry the remaining chicken tenders.

Serve and enjoy

How To Fry Chicken Tenders In A Deep Fat Fryer

Using a deep fryer is easier and more convenient and it takes away the guessing game and no need to flip the chicken halfway. To cook it in a deep fryer, follow the below instructions:
Set the fryer to 370F.

Add the chicken tenders to the hot oil.

Fry the chicken for 5-6 minutes.

Transfer fried tenders to a paper towel lined plate.

Serve and enjoy.

How Long To Deep Fry Chicken Tenders

How long to deep fry chicken tenders is 5-8 minutes based on the oil temperature being 360- 370F.

For how long to fry chicken tenders at 350 is 6-9 minutes.

The chicken tenders need to be cooked till there is no blood inside and the internal temperature is at least 165F when checked with an instant-read thermometer. The skin will also be crispy, and golden brown. Failure to cook it fully before consuming it can cause food poisoning.

Fried chicken tenderloins can be served as soon as it's cooked or can be cooled down and stored for later.

What To Serve With Fried Chicken Tenders

Mac and cheese

Potato wedges

Butter Potatoes

Roasted potatoes

Baked Veggies

Sauteed vegetable

Boiled asparagus

Pan fried broccoli

How To Store

It's best eaten when it is made however it stores well in the fridge and freezer.

Pack in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To Store in the freezer- Wrap it in foil or baking paper then put it in a Ziploc. Label and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When brought out it will not be as crispy but once reheated properly they get crispy again.

How To Reheat

To reheat in the oven- Preheat the oven to 200C/400F.
Put the chicken on a wire rack over a baking tray.
Put it in the oven and cook for 8-10 minutes or until heated through and the chicken is crispy.
If reheating the fried tenders from frozen, add additional 10 minutes to the reheating time.
If you use a wire rack, no need to flip during heating, however, if you use a baking tray without the rack, flip the tenders halfway through cooking.

How to reheat in Air Fryer: Transfer the chicken to the Air Fryer basket or rack. Air fryer the chicken for 4 minutes or until heated through and crispy.

Tips For Frying Chicken Tenders

• You can buy chicken breasts and slice them into strips.
• The pepper and salt quantity can be adjusted to your taste.
• You can add more herbs like parsley, and rosemary to the seasoning.
• Use a pot or skillet that is dee for frying.
• The best oil to use is sunflower oil, vegetable oil or any other odorless oil will work fine.
• Test if the oil is ready by dropping a piece of clumped flour in it. If it sizzles and lifts then it is ready.
• It's important to cook at the right temperature. Cooking at a low temperature will make the breading drop off the chicken. If the temperature is too high then the outer can brown too quickly without the inside cooked.
• Don't overcrowd the pan. As that can drop the temperature of the oil and cause the chicken to soak in excess oil.
• Don't cover the fried tenders when hot as trapped steam will make the outer soggy.
• Cook chicken till the internal temperature is at least 165F. You can check this with an instant meat thermometer. Or check by using a visual cue. When you cut into the chicken it will be white and there should be no blood or pink juice.

FAQS

More Fried Chicken Recipes

Deep fried whole chicken

Pan fried chicken wings

Deep fried chicken breast

Pan fried chicken thighs

Deep fried chicken thighs

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