Crispy Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauce

Here’s a Crispy Chicken Tenders recipe that’s golden, juicy, and crowd-pleasing — paired with two easy dipping sauces for maximum flavor!

---

🍗 Crispy Chicken Tenders

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ lbs chicken tenders or boneless chicken breasts (cut into strips)

• 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp paprika

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

For Breading:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (for extra crunch)

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp pepper

• Optional: ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

For Frying or Baking:

• Vegetable oil (for frying)

• Or cooking spray (for baking/air frying)

---

Instructions:

1. Marinate:

   • In a bowl, mix buttermilk with garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.

   • Add chicken strips, cover, and marinate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 8 hours).

2. Bread the Chicken:

   • In a shallow dish, combine flour, panko, salt, and optional Parmesan.

   • Remove chicken from marinade (let excess drip off) and dredge in flour/panko mix. Press well to coat.

3. Cook:

   Frying:

   • Heat 1–2 inches of oil to 350°F (175°C).

   • Fry chicken in batches for 4–6 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels or a wire rack.

   Baking:

   • Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

   • Place tenders on a greased baking rack or sheet. Spray with oil and bake 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway.

   Air Frying:

   • Air fry at 400°F (200°C) for 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway through.

---

🥣 Dipping Sauce Ideas

1. Honey Mustard

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard

• 1 tbsp honey

• Dash of lemon juice

2. Spicy Ranch

• 1/4 cup ranch dressing

• 1–2 tsp hot sauce (like Sriracha or Frank’s)

• Optional: pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika

---

✅ Tips:

• Panko + flour = maximum crunch

• Let the breaded chicken rest 5–10 mins before frying for better coating adhesion

• Double bread for extra crispy tenders

Want a gluten-free or oven-only version?