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–+ servings
Chicken Tenders Recipe

Perfectly Crispy Classic Chicken Tender Recipe

As a mom of two young boys, this classic chicken tender recipe is a frequently requested item for lunch or dinner. 
SERVINGS 4
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
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Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb. Chicken Breasts, cut into strips
  • 1 tsp. Seasoning Salt
  • 1.5 cups Buttermilk
  • 2 tbsp. Pickle Juice
  • 2 tbsp. Hot Sauce, or to taste
  • 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 cup Cornstarch
  • 1/2 tsp. Baking Powder
  • 2 tsp. Garlic Powder
  • 1 tsp. Onion Powder
  • 1 tsp. Chili Powder
  • 2 tsp. Paprika
  • 1 tbsp. Powdered Sugar
  • 1 tsp. Black Pepper
  • Peanut or Vegetable Oil, as needed for frying

Instructions
 

  • Cut the chicken breast into strips and then dust the chicken with seasoning salt. Set aside. 
  • Add buttermilk, pickle juice, and hot sauce to a large bowl. Submerge the seasoned chicken and allow to marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. 
  • Remove the chicken from the fridge about 15 minutes before battering and frying. This helps them cook more evenly. 
  • Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, powdered sugar and black pepper in a large bowl. 
  • One by one, take a piece of the chicken out of the batter, allowing excess batter drip off, and dunk into the flour dredge. Place back in the buttermilk marinade and then again into the flour dredge. This double-coating isn’t 100% necessary but I do find it creates a nice crust. Repeat with all pieces of chicken, setting them on a rack or plate until you’re ready to start frying. 
  • Preheat oil to 365F. Once the temperature has been reached, start adding the chicken strips one by one, making sure not to overcrowd. You will need to work in batches. Fry the chicken for 7 - 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature has reached 365F. Use a thermometer for this. 
  • Once cooked, drain the tenders on a wire rack over a baking sheet. If you’re working in batches and you want to keep them warm, set the wire-lined baking sheet in a 200F oven until they’re all cooked. Enjoy immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
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