Best Crunchy Chicken Tenders With Herb Buttermilk Dressing Recipes

BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN TENDERS

Steps:

• To marinate the chicken: In a large sealable bag, combine the chicken tenders with the remaining marinade ingredients. Seal the bag tightly and massage the chicken until it is evenly coated with buttermilk and seasoning. Place in a bowl (in case of leakage) and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours.
• To make the breading: In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Whisk until well blended, then add the buttermilk and stir with a fork until the mixture is evenly clumpy.
• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Remove the chicken tenders from the marinade a few at a time and toss into the breading mixture. Be sure to press the chicken firmly into the breading so clumps adhere to the meat. (It's a messy job: use one hand to remove the wet tenders from the bag and the other to toss in the breading.) Set breaded tenders on the prepared baking sheet.
• To fry the chicken: Line another baking sheet with a few layers of paper towels and set next to the stove. Add oil to a large, high-sided pot until the level reaches about ¾-inch. Heat over medium-high heat until oil is shimmering (about 350°). (If a cube of bread sizzles when you drop it in, it's ready.) Using tongs, place several chicken tenders in the hot oil without crowding the pan. Cook until golden brown on the bottom side, a few minutes, then flip and cook until the second side is also golden, a few minutes more. Set the cooked tenders on the paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Fry remaining tenders in batches adjusting the heat as necessary (if the tenders are browning too fast, lower the heat). Serve hot.
• Note: I find that it's hard to tell how golden the chicken is when it's immersed in the oil. It may only look lightly golden, but it's actually a perfect fried chicken golden brown. If you're unsure, simply pull a tender out of the oil and rest it on the paper towels to see the true color.
• Note: Nutritional information was calculated assuming that approximately ¼ cup of the oil is absorbed into the chicken tenders when frying.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cooked chicken tenders can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, put the frozen tenders on a wire rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through and crisp, about 25 minutes, flipping halfway through.

SUPER CRISPY CHICKEN TENDERS

Steps:

• Cut the chicken breasts into four tenders each and soak them in a bowl with the buttermilk and hot sauce for 30 minutes.
• Add the eggs to one bowl and the flour and spices to a second bowl.
• Dip each piece of chicken from the buttermilk bowl to the flour mixture.
• Dip it into the eggs then back into the flour mixture.
• Shake excess flour gently off and put the chicken onto a baking sheet.
• Repeat with all the pieces.
• Heat the oil (three inches deep) in a dutch oven on medium high heat to 350 degrees.
• Fry the chicken in small batches for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown.

CRUNCHY CHICKEN TENDERS WITH HERB-BUTTERMILK DRESSING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with a wire rack. Combine buttermilk, mustard, salt, and cayenne in a nonreactive dish. Dip chicken in mixture and transfer to dish with breadcrumbs, pressing to coat. Transfer to baking sheet. Drizzle with oil. Bake until golden and chicken is cooked through, about 16 minutes. Season with salt.
• Meanwhile, combine buttermilk, yogurt, chives, and salt in a bowl for dressing. (Add 1 Tbsp. crumbled blue cheese, if desired.)
• Serve chicken with dressing, celery, romaine hearts, and hot sauce.

CRUNCHY CHICKEN TENDERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Mix flour, basil, chili powder, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Mix egg and water together in another bowl. Pour crushed cereal into a third bowl.
• Dip each tender in the flour mixture first, shaking off excess. Dip in egg and then in crushed cereal. Place on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake in the preheated oven until browned and no longer pink in the centers, 10 to 12 minutes on each side.