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chicken tenders
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Homemade Chicken Tenders

These are the homemade chicken tenders you have been chasing your whole life.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time32 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 542kcal
Author: Laura Lynch

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders

For the marinade:

  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 2 teaspoons Paprika
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons pepper

For the breading:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 2 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon Paprika
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon salt

Instructions

  • In a bowl, mix together the buttermilk, paprika, garlic and onions powders, salt and pepper. Marinate the chicken in this mixture for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  • Once chicken has marinated, remove it from the fridge.
  • In a bowl or plastic bag, combine the flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic and onion powders, and salt.
  • Dredge the tenders in the seasoned flour. Set on a wire rack to rest for 5 minutes.
  • Fill a pot with 2 inches of high-heat oil. Heat it to about 350 degrees F. Fry the tenders in batches, about 4 minutes, being careful not to crowd them so they fry evenly.

Notes

  • Marinate overnight if you can: Two hours gets you great results, but an overnight soak takes the tenderness and flavor to another level entirely. The buttermilk works its magic slowly, breaking down the proteins for an extra silky interior.
  • Let the breaded tenders rest before frying: After dredging, set the tenders on a wire rack for five full minutes. This rest period helps the coating bond to the chicken so it stays put in the oil instead of slipping off into the pan.
  • Fry in batches and watch your oil temperature: Crowding the pot drops the temperature of your oil, which leads to greasy, pale tenders instead of golden, crispy ones. Keep the oil at 350 degrees F between batches and give each tender the room it needs to fry evenly.

Nutrition

Calories: 542kcal | Carbohydrates: 64g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 122mg | Sodium: 3819mg | Potassium: 1004mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1609IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 182mg | Iron: 5mg