The Easiest Homemade Chicken Tenders Recipe (Tried & True)

This easy-to-make recipe for buttermilk fried chicken tenders is delicious, as well as super simple to make!

Why You'll Love These Juicy Fried Chicken Tenders

Errr Hello.. It's Fried Chicken! There is nothing that isn't good about sitting down to a pile of freshly fried homemade buttermilk chicken tenders. Total comfort food! And the kids LOVE it!

Super Easy To Make - homemade fried chicken is actually really easy, and tastes so much better than shop-bought.

Versatile - you can flavor up the chicken and breadcrumb coating, anyway you like.

Chicken Tenders Recipe

Serves - 4 people

Prep Time – 15 minutes 

Cook Time – approx 8 minutes

Total Time – approx. 23 minutes

Our Most Popular Alternative – Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets

Equipment Needed 

• Large plastic bag
• Bowl
• Teaspoon
• Shallow bowl
• Tray
• Deep Fryer - we use a Tefal Oleoclean fryer - these are great, they filter the oil to clean it after each use!
• Food Thermometer
• Kitchen paper towel

Ingredients For Homemade Chicken Tenders 

Everything you need to make juicy home cooked fried buttermilk chicken

For the buttermilk chicken marinade

• 2lb (900G) boneless skinless chicken breast cut into strips - or use chicken tenderloins
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• pinch salt
• pinch black pepper

For the crispy coating

• 2 cups all purpose flour - you can use panko bread crumbs or shop bought bread crumb mixture if you prefer.
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Pinch salt
• Pinch black pepper

Note - You'll also need a deep fryer with sufficient vegetable oil to fry in.

How To Make Chicken Tenders

Okay, you're going to love how easy this buttermilk chicken is to make!

Step One - marinate the chicken

• Add the chicken strips to a plastic food bag. Pour in the buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper and a pinch of salt and black pepper.

Step Two - chill the chicken

• Tie the bag closed tightly, then mix the chicken with the buttermilk and seasoning, then place the bag in a bowl, and in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 2-3 hours (up to overnight) before frying.

Step Three - mix up the crispy coating

• Mix up the breaded coating - add the flour, baking powder and remaining herbs and spices to a bowl, mix everything together to mingle the flavours.

Step Four - coat the chicken tenders

• Then take each piece of chicken, toss it in the flour coating, then lay onto a tray until ready to fry.

Step Five - fry the buttermilk chicken tenders

Note - you will need to fry the chicken tenders in batches, depending on the size of your deep fryer.

• We fried our chicken in a deep fat fryer, heated to 400F / 200C - the chicken tenders took around 8 minutes to cook through properly. Please note larger tenders may take longer. Always check the chicken is cooked through properly (use an instant read food thermometer to do this) and to the correct temperature before serving and eating.

• Remove from the fryer and drain on kitchen paper before serving.

Recipe Tips, Ingredient Swaps And Add-Ins 

Fancy adding your own twist to the chicken? Do it! Add in your favourite herbs and spices - plus we've popped some ideas below for you to try too!

Make It Gluten Free

You can easily make this fried chicken tenders recipe gluten free - just swap the flour for gluten-free flour (we use Doves Farm for this) and be sure to use gluten-free spices, seasonings and baking powder.

Make It Spicy

Want a kick of heat? Add some extra cayenne and chilli powder to the buttermilk marinade. Then add some red pepper flakes, chilli powder and extra black pepper to the breaded coating.

Make It Cheesy

We LOVE cheesy fried chicken tenders! Just add a good couple of handful of grated Parmesan cheese to the flour coating mixture. And as soon as the fried chicken comes hot out of the deep fryer scatter over some more grated Parmesan cheese too.

Bake Instead Of Fry

Want to skip the fried food? Then bake this chicken tender recipe in the oven instead.

Lay the coated chicken tenders onto a baking sheet or baking tray lined with parchment paper. Spritz with an olive oil spay. Then bake in the oven on 400F / 200C for around 20-25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through properly and to the correct temperature. Flip the tenders half way through cooking.

Storage Tips 

Leftover fried chicken tenders, can be cooled and then stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator - use within 24 hours of making.

Love Your Leftovers - Ideas For Using Up Leftover Fried Chicken

We usually use up leftover fried chicken in salad bowls, or wrapped in soft flour tortillas with guacamole, salsa, salad and shredded Cheddar cheese. Or simply serve on bread rolls with mayonnaise dressing and salad.

What To Serve With Chicken Tenders 

Chicken tenders go with so many different things, we've popped our ten faves below!

1. Potato Wedges - Italian style with herbs and cheese (these are just too good)
2. Dip - these are perfect with blue cheese dip, ranch dipping sauce, honey mustard sauce, ketchup, BBQ sauce and more!
3. Rosemary Fries - crispy fries with a rosemary salt sprinkled over them
4. Carrot Fries - believe us, these are GOOD!
5. Sweet Potato Wedges
6. Garlic And Herb Mashed Potatoes
7. Ranch Slaw
8. Bacon Potato Salad
9. Mini Baked Potatoes - loaded with sour cream, cheese and bacon
10. Oreo Milkshake - ohhhh come on! You need this in your life!

Get More Chicken Breast Recipes Here

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More Easy Chicken Recipes For Dinner

• Southern Fried Chicken Wrap
• Crockpot Chicken Shawarma
• Chicken And Broccoli Casserole
• Chicken And Waffles

View the Comfort Food - Chicken Tenders Story Here