Crispy Chicken Tenders Delight (Printable version)
Juicy golden chicken strips with a crunchy crust, ideal for quick meals and dipping sauces.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders, cut into strips
→ Marinade
02 - ½ cup buttermilk
03 - 1 tsp salt
04 - ½ tsp black pepper
05 - ½ tsp garlic powder
06 - ½ tsp paprika
→ Breading
07 - ¾ cup all-purpose flour
08 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
09 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
10 - ½ tsp onion powder
11 - ½ tsp salt
12 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
→ For Frying
13 - Vegetable oil, for deep frying
# Directions:
01 - Whisk together buttermilk, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a large bowl. Add chicken strips and toss to coat evenly. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours for optimal flavor.
02 - Combine all-purpose flour, panko breadcrumbs, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a shallow dish, ensuring even distribution of spices.
03 - Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess buttermilk drip off. Dredge each strip in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to form an even coating.
04 - Heat vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (180°C), ensuring sufficient depth for frying.
05 - Fry chicken strips in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to paper towels to absorb excess oil.
06 - Present hot chicken strips with preferred dipping sauces such as honey mustard, ranch, or barbecue.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- This recipe gives you juicy chicken strips wrapped in a golden crust that’s perfect for dipping and sharing.
- I love how easy it is to customize the seasoning to make it your own little kitchen masterpiece.
02 -
- Don&t skip the buttermilk marinade—it's the key to juicy chicken that's full of flavor and not dry at all.
- Press the breading firmly but not too hard; it should stick well enough to form that perfect crust but not be clumpy.
03 -
- Use panko breadcrumbs for that unbeatable extra crunch that regular breadcrumbs just can't match.
- Maintain your oil temperature consistently during frying to avoid soggy or greasy tenders.