How to Make Perfectly Crispy Chicken Tenders Every Time

Are you tired of soggy and flavorless chicken tenders? Well, fear no more! With just a few simple steps and a handful of ingredients, you can whip up restaurant-quality crispy chicken tenders in the comfort of your own kitchen.

First things first, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients on hand. You’ll need boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into strips, flour, eggs, panko breadcrumbs, and some spices of your choice. Once you’ve got everything you need, it’s time to get cooking. Follow these easy steps to achieve the perfect crispy chicken tenders every time.

1. Prepping the Chicken Tenders

Getting Your Chicken Ready for the Fryer

Before you can make crispy chicken tenders, you’ll need to prep your chicken. Begin by washing your chicken tenders thoroughly and patting them dry with a paper towel. Season your chicken with salt, pepper, and any other spices or herbs of your choosing. You can use a mix of paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix these spices together, dip your chicken tenders in this and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Setting up the Breading Station

The Perfect Breading Station for Your Chicken Tenders

To ensure that your chicken tenders are crispy, you’ll need a breading station. You can use three bowls for this purpose. In the first bowl, add flour, salt, and pepper. In the second bowl, whisk eggs together until the whites and yolks are well combined. In the third bowl, add breadcrumbs and your preferred seasoning. Set up your bowls one by one and place them on the table in a row.

3. Dredging the Chicken Tenders

The Dredging Process for Your Chicken Tenders

Now that you’ve set up your breading station, it’s time to start dredging your chicken tenders. Take one chicken tender and coat it in flour, lightly shaking off any excess. Dip it in the egg mixture next and let any excess egg drip back into the bowl. Finally, coat the chicken tender in the seasoned breadcrumbs. Ensure that the chicken tenders are well coated and shake off excesses.

4. Choosing the Right Oil

The Best Oils for Deep Frying Your Chicken Tenders

Choosing the right oil for deep-frying your chicken tenders is crucial. Use oils like peanut oil, vegetable oil, or canola oil. Fill a large and deep enough pot with an inch of oil which will allow the chicken tenders to float and fry evenly.

5. Heating Your Oil

Know the Right Temperature and Time for Frying Your Chicken Tenders

You need to heat your oil up to 350°F before frying your chicken tenders. A thermometer comes in handy here. Once your oil has reached the right temperature, carefully add your chicken tenders to the hot oil, one at a time. Fry them for 3 to 4 minutes or until they become golden brown.

6. Drain and Rest

Properly Resting and Draining Your Chicken Tenders

After frying the chicken tenders, remove them from the oil and let them drain on a wire rack over paper towels. This will help to remove any excess oil and prevent them from becoming soggy. Allow the chicken tenders to rest for five minutes before serving.

7. Tips for Crispy Chicken Tenders

Secrets to Making the Crispiest Chicken Tenders

Here are some tips for making your chicken tenders crispy: use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs for more crunch, flip the chicken tenders halfway through cooking for even browning, and avoid overcrowding the pot to allow the chicken tenders to cook evenly.

8. Serving Your Crispy Chicken Tenders

Let’s Get These Chicken Tenders on The Table

Crispy chicken tenders make a perfect meal on their own, but you can also serve them with your favorite dip, salad or fries. So go ahead and enjoy your perfectly crispy, delicious chicken tenders

9. Leftovers: How to Reheat Your Chicken Tenders

Don’t Let Any Tenders Go to Waste

If you have any leftovers after making your crispy chicken tenders, you can reheat them in the oven the next day. Preheat your oven to 350°F and heat the chicken tenders for about 10-12 minutes or until heated all the way through.

10. Conclusion

Thank you for making the perfect crispy chicken tenders with us

Making crispy chicken tenders requires some effort, but it is definitely worth it in the end. With the tips provided in this article and a little bit of patience, you will easily make the perfect crispy chicken tenders. Bring your family and friends together and enjoy your delicious homemade crispy chicken tenders.

Ingredients needed for crispy chicken tenders

Out of all the chicken dishes that exist, chicken tenders often rank high as a scrumptious meal. They are crispy, tender, and can be paired with many tasty dips and sauces. If you want to make crispy chicken tenders at home, then you’re in the right place. Before we get started with the recipe, here’s a list of ingredients you will need to make crispy chicken tenders:

1. Chicken tenders

The first and most crucial ingredient for crispy chicken tenders are the chicken tenders themselves. To make this dish, you’ll need about 1 pound of chicken tenders which you can buy from your local grocery store or butcher. Ensure to get tenders that are not too thick, so they cook evenly.

2. Flour

Flour is another ingredient that you will need to make crispy chicken tenders. It’s what makes the chicken crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. You may use all-purpose flour or self-raising flour.

3. Cornstarch

Cornstarch is a vital ingredient, and it ensures that the chicken tenders remain crispy by absorbing any moisture on the chicken.

4. Baking Powder

Baking powder is another key ingredient that helps the chicken tenders maintain their crispy texture.

5. Paprika

Paprika gives the chicken tenders a unique flavor and also adds color to the dish. Using smoked paprika will add an extra dimension to the flavor profile.

6. Salt

Salt is a crucial ingredient as it gives the dish a well-rounded taste, and it also enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.

7. Black pepper

Black pepper brings a bit of heat to the dish, and it also adds a subtle, zesty flavor that complements the chicken tenders.

8. Eggs

Eggs are used to make the flour mixture stick to the chicken tenders, giving them a crispy coating.

9. Milk

Milk is used to thin out the egg mixture. It coats the chicken tenders evenly and gives them a golden-brown color.

10. Cooking oil

You will need cooking oil to fry the chicken tenders. You can use any oil with a high smoke point, such as canola or vegetable oil.

Now that you have all the necessary ingredients let’s move on to the preparations that go into making crispy chicken tenders.

Section 3: Cooking the Perfect Tenders

Now that you have your chicken tenders marinated and coated, it’s time to cook them to perfection. Follow these steps to ensure your tenders come out crispy and delicious:

1. Heat Your Oil

In order for your tenders to get crispy, you’ll need to deep fry them. Fill a large saucepan or deep fryer with enough vegetable oil to submerge the tenders. Heat the oil to 350°F/180°C.

2. Fry Your Tenders

Once the oil has heated up, carefully lower your chicken tenders into the oil, using tongs. Don’t overcrowd the oil – it’ll cause the temperature to drop and lead to greasy, soggy tenders. Fry the chicken tenders in small batches for 5-6 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and crispy.

3. Remove and Drain

When your chicken tenders are cooked, use the tongs to carefully remove them from the oil, letting any excess oil drip off. Place them on a wire rack or paper towel to allow them to cool and drain.

4. Season Your Tenders

If you want to add more seasoning, now is the time to do it. Sprinkle your tenders with some salt and pepper or your favorite seasoning blend.

5. Serve and Enjoy!

Your crispy chicken tenders are now ready to enjoy! Serve them up with your favorite dipping sauces and sides, and enjoy the delicious taste of homemade tenders.

Now that you know how to make crispy chicken tenders from scratch, it’s time to get cooking! With a little practice, you’ll be able to perfect the art of homemade tenders that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.

Thanks for hanging out with us!

Congratulations, you’ve mastered the art of making crispy chicken tenders! We hope you enjoyed reading and cooking along with us. Make sure to check back in for more easy and delicious recipes. In the meantime, enjoy your homemade crispy chicken tenders and share them with your loved ones!