Crispy Fried Chicken Tenders
Truly crispy fried chicken tenders are a dinnertime staple you’re whole family will love. Get all my tips for making that crispy crust you crave, seasoning like a pro (and shortcuts if you don’t know how), and fry them up like “cast iron skillet” is your middle name.
Key Points for this Recipe
- Learning to fry is tricky at first. If you want to use an electric skillet to keep the heat even, you can do that. Otherwise cast iron will give you the most even heat.
- Expect that you may get the oil too hot and burn your chicken tenders or too cool and cause the breading to fall off. This happens as you’re learning. Adjust your heat up or down as needed.
- Make sure your flour is well seasoned. You can also just season the chicken directly. You’ll need more seasoning than you think you will for the flavor to carry over to the final product.
- Consider adding garlic powder, onion powder, or other seasonings to the flour. 1-2 teaspoons should do it, or to taste.
- Press the breading on your chicken tenders very firmly and let them sit 5 minutes before frying. This helps the breading really bond with the chicken.
- I like to use chicken breasts sliced in to strips as my “tenders” instead of actual tenders because of the tough tendon that runs through them.
- Refined coconut oil is excellent for frying if you don’t want to use vegetable oil.
How to store leftover chicken tenders
Store leftovers in the fridge in an air tight container for up to three days.
Seasoning options
Try these as cajun chicken or Nashville hot versions.
How to know if chicken tenders are done
Cook your tenders to an internal temperature of 165 f, and there should be no pink inside when you cut them open. You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature if you are unsure.
Watch me make the full recipe on YouTube
Add a skillet of cornbread and you’ll be all set! You can learn how to make cornbread here if you don’t know how or get brave and learn how to fry bone-in buttermilk fried chicken.
Crispy Fried Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1-2 pounds chicken tenders or 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts sliced into 1-inch thick strips
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Fill a 9-inch cast iron or standard skillet with about 2 inches of oil. Start heating it over medium-high heat while you bread the chicken. (Keep an eye on it!)
- In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt and pepper.
- In another large bowl, beat the egg and water
- Dredge the chicken in the flour, coating well. Shake off excess flour and dip in the egg, the back in the flour.
- Set the chicken to the side to rest for about 5 minutes. (This helps the coating stick better)
- Check your oil temperature with a candy thermometer if necessary (you should be around 365-375 degrees) or drop in a little bit of flour–if it sizzles immediately, you can add one piece of chicken.
- If the chicken sizzles, add about 5 pieces at a time and cook until golden brown on that side–about 8 to 10 minutes or so.
- Turn, and repeat until all brown.
- Cook the rest of the chicken in batches.
- Transfer to a paper towel lined plate and sprinkle with a little more salt if needed.
can this recipe be done using a air fryer if so what temp and for how long?
I don’t use an air fryer Gorge so I’m not sure. Maybe another reader will have a suggestion. –Rachel
Making tonight!
I followed this recipe to the T and they turned out great and were a big hit with my family and were easy to make. I will be trying out making more of your recipes!
Yes, very crispy nice tendies. It was easy to follow to instructions. I cut my pieces thin and so they were cooked pretty fast. I looked up a general seasoning recipe online and did the best I could with what was in the pantry. Turned out great!
Hi Rachel, your recipe is sooo delicious and absolutely easy!!
I’m glad you enjoyed them Felix!!
I use the electric deep fryer at 350 for 6 min, perfect crisp.
Best fried chicken tenders I’ve ever made. I didn’t change a thing and will definitely use this recipe again. Thank you!!
We have never fried chicken before. We wanted to do fried chicken & waffles. We followed this recipe to the tee and they were absolutely perfect. So, simple and tasty. My kids had a blast. I’ll use my cast iron dutch oven next time — we made a huge mess on our stove. It was worth it! Thanks so much.
Yep it does make a mess doesn’t it? I’m so glad you enjoyed it though!
These Chicken Strips Were So Yummy, I Had Some Tonight.. I Used Bbq To Dip In… I Loved Them Thank You For The Recipe..
I love your recipes! I enjoy your descriptions, and just the way you explain all the details! Thank you for sharing!! Im hopeful that your recipes will make me a better cook! 🙂
Oh thank you so much Rachel! I hope I can be of help in the future. Just shout with any questions!
This is exactly how I make mine except of course different seasonings