Description
Crispy, golden-brown chicken tenders marinated in buttermilk for tenderness and flavor, then coated in seasoned breading and fried to perfection.
Ingredients
For the Marinade:
2 pounds chicken tenderloins
1 cup buttermilk
1½ teaspoons salt
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon paprika
For the Breading:
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
1 heaping teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon black pepper
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
¾ teaspoon paprika
3 tablespoons buttermilk
For Cooking:
3–4 cups vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- In a large sealable bag, combine chicken tenderloins, buttermilk, salt, cayenne, garlic powder, and paprika. Seal and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Add buttermilk and stir with a fork until mixture forms clumps.
- Remove chicken from marinade in batches, toss in breading, pressing firmly so coating adheres. Place breaded tenders on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large high-sided pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken in batches, turning once, until golden brown on both sides, a few minutes per side. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Adjust heat as needed.
- Serve hot with desired dipping sauces.
Notes
- For extra spice, double the cayenne in the marinade and add ½ teaspoon to the breading.
- Make gluten-free by using a gluten-free flour blend.
- For oven-baked tenders, bake on a greased rack at 425°F for 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Replace half the flour with panko for extra crunch.
- Freeze cooked tenders for up to 3 months; reheat from frozen at 350°F for about 25 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 4+ hours marinating)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Fried
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 recipe
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
