Description
Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside—these Fried Chicken Tenders are marinated in buttermilk and fried to golden perfection. Perfect for weeknight dinners, game day snacks, or anytime you’re craving a little Southern comfort.
Ingredients
1 ½ lbs chicken tenders
1 cup buttermilk
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup cornstarch
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs
Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
1. In a bowl, combine the chicken tenders and buttermilk. Cover and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
2. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper.
3. In another bowl, whisk the eggs.
4. Dredge each marinated tender in the flour mixture, then dip into the egg, then back into the flour mixture, pressing to fully coat.
5. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat to 350°F.
6. Carefully place a few tenders at a time in the hot oil. Fry for 6–8 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden brown and cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
7. Remove tenders from oil and place on a wire rack to drain.
8. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
For extra spice, double the cayenne or add hot sauce to the buttermilk marinade.
Don’t overcrowd the skillet—it drops the oil temperature and makes the coating soggy.
Best enjoyed fresh, but you can reheat them in the oven at 375°F for about 10 minutes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 tenders
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: fried chicken tenders, crispy chicken, southern chicken, buttermilk fried chicken