Description
Crispy buttermilk fried chicken tenders bring Southern comfort straight to your kitchen with golden, juicy perfection. Seasoned breading and tangy marinade create an irresistible crunch that will make dinner guests swoon with delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 pounds (907 grams) chicken tenderloins
Liquid and Marinade:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk
Spices and Seasonings:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Marinate chicken tenders in buttermilk, salt, cayenne, garlic powder, and paprika inside a large resealable bag for 4-24 hours, massaging thoroughly to ensure complete coating.
- Create a robust breading mixture by whisking flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika in a large bowl.
- Incorporate 3 tablespoons buttermilk into the dry ingredients, using a fork to generate a clumpy texture that enhances crispiness.
- Remove chicken from marinade and meticulously coat each tender in the prepared breading, pressing firmly to secure an even layer.
- Arrange breaded tenders on a foil-lined baking sheet, preparing for frying.
- Heat vegetable oil to 350°F in a deep, high-sided pot, verifying temperature by dropping a bread cube that should immediately sizzle.
- Carefully lower chicken tenders into hot oil, frying in small batches for 3-4 minutes per side until achieving a deep golden-brown and crispy exterior.
- Transfer fried tenders to a paper towel-lined sheet to absorb excess oil, maintaining oil temperature between batches.
- Serve piping hot alongside preferred dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue for a delectable meal.
Notes
- Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor infusion, up to 24 hours for maximum taste development.
- Use cold buttermilk and keep ingredients chilled to ensure a crispier, more stable breading that adheres better to chicken.
- Create extra crispy texture by adding buttermilk directly into flour mixture, creating small clumpy bits that increase crunchiness when fried.
- Maintain consistent oil temperature around 350°F to prevent soggy or burnt chicken tenders, using a thermometer for precise monitoring.
- Prep Time: 4 hours (or up to 24 hours)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 1680 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg