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Southern Fried Chicken Tenders

Southern Fried Chicken Tenders
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Southern Fried Chicken Tenders offer a crispy, golden-brown crust with tender, juicy chicken inside, delivering classic Southern flavors in every bite. Perfect for family meals, game days, or quick snacks, this easy-to-make recipe uses simple pantry staples and can be customized to suit your preferences, ensuring a crunchy, flavorful dish ready in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Marinade

  • 1 lb fresh chicken tenders
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of black pepper

Breading

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten free)
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper

Coating and Frying

  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • Vegetable oil or peanut oil (enough for frying, approx. 2 cups)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: Soak the chicken tenders in buttermilk mixed with a pinch of salt and pepper. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, or preferably overnight, to tenderize the meat and infuse a subtle tangy flavor.
  2. Prepare the Breading: In a large shallow dish, combine flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. This seasoned mixture will create the crispy coating.
  3. Coat the Chicken: Remove each tender from the buttermilk, letting the excess drip off. Dip the tenders into beaten eggs, then dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even and thick coating.
  4. Fry the Tenders: Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry the tenders in batches without overcrowding for 3–4 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through.
  5. Drain and Serve: Remove fried tenders and place them on a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil. Let rest for a minute to lock in juiciness before serving.

Notes

  • Use a thermometer to maintain oil temperature at 350°F for optimal crispiness.
  • For extra crunch, double dredge by dipping tenders again in egg and flour mixture.
  • Pat tenders dry after marinating to help the breading stick better.
  • Drain fried tenders on a wire rack to keep crust crispy.
  • Let coated tenders rest for 10 minutes before frying to help coating adhere well.

Nutrition

Keywords: Southern Fried Chicken Tenders, Crispy Chicken Tenders, Southern Chicken Recipe, Fried Chicken, Chicken Snack

Find it online: https://dailydishez.com/southern-fried-chicken-tenders/