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Southern Fried Chicken Tenders

Southern Fried Chicken Tenders
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These Southern Fried Chicken Tenders offer a perfect blend of juicy, tender chicken with a crispy, flavorful Southern-style crust. Ideal for family dinners, parties, or meal prep, this recipe combines classic Southern spices with an easy marinating and frying method to deliver a comforting and irresistible dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1 lb chicken tenders or breast strips (fresh, high-quality)
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • Pinch of salt (for marinating)

Coating Mixture

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for variation)
  • 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (for spicy kick)

Breading and Frying

  • 2 large eggs
  • Oil for frying (vegetable, canola, or peanut oil preferred)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: Soak the chicken tenders in buttermilk with a pinch of salt for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight in the refrigerator to tenderize the meat and enhance juiciness.
  2. Prepare the Coating Mixture: In a shallow bowl, whisk together flour, seasoned salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using, to create a well-balanced seasoning for the crispy crust.
  3. Set Up the Breading Station: Whisk the eggs in a separate bowl. Dip each marinated chicken tender first into the eggs, then press into the seasoned flour mixture ensuring an even coating on all sides. For extra crunch, double dredge by repeating the egg and flour coating.
  4. Heat the Oil and Fry: Heat oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the tenders in batches without overcrowding until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  5. Serve Warm and Enjoy: Serve immediately to enjoy the crispy crust at its peak. Pair with your favorite sides or dipping sauces like honey mustard, ranch, or spicy aioli.

Notes

  • Use fresh chicken rather than frozen for optimum texture and flavor.
  • Maintain consistent oil temperature to avoid greasy or soggy tenders.
  • Double dredging the chicken gives extra crunchiness.
  • Drain fried tenders on paper towels immediately after cooking to retain crispiness.
  • Season the flour mixture generously for authentic Southern flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: southern fried chicken, chicken tenders, crispy chicken, comfort food, southern recipe, fried chicken, easy chicken tenders

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