Here’s a crowd-pleasing recipe for Crispy Chicken Tenders that are juicy on the inside, golden and crunchy on the outside — plus a few killer dipping sauce options to go with them.
🍗 Crispy Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauce
🕒 Total Time: ~35 minutes
Servings: 4
🧾 Ingredients:
For the Chicken Tenders:
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1½ lbs chicken tenders (or chicken breasts cut into strips)
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1 cup buttermilk
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1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)
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1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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½ cup cornstarch (for extra crunch)
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1 teaspoon paprika
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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½ teaspoon onion powder
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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Optional: ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (for heat)
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Vegetable oil for frying
🔪 Instructions:
1. Marinate the Chicken:
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In a bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce.
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Add chicken tenders, cover, and marinate for 30 minutes (or overnight for max flavor).
2. Prepare the Breading:
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In a shallow dish, mix flour, cornstarch, and all spices.
3. Bread the Tenders:
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Remove chicken from buttermilk (let excess drip off).
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Dredge in the flour mixture, pressing the coating onto the chicken.
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Optional: For extra crispy tenders, dip back into buttermilk and flour a second time.
4. Fry:
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Heat oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C).
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Fry chicken in batches for 4–5 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
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Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
🥣 Dipping Sauce Options:
1. Honey Mustard:
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¼ cup mayo
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1½ tbsp yellow or Dijon mustard
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1 tbsp honey
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Dash of lemon juice or vinegar
➡️ Mix until smooth.
2. Spicy Ranch:
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¼ cup ranch dressing
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1–2 tsp hot sauce (or sriracha)
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Optional: pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika
➡️ Stir together.
3. BBQ Mayo:
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2 tbsp mayo
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2 tbsp BBQ sauce
➡️ Blend for a smoky, creamy sauce.
4. Sweet Chili Garlic Sauce (Asian-inspired):
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Use store-bought Thai sweet chili sauce or make a quick one with:
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2 tbsp sweet chili sauce
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1 tsp soy sauce
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1 tsp rice vinegar
➡️ Stir together for a sticky glaze.
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🧊 Tips & Storage:
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To keep warm & crispy: Place cooked tenders in a low oven (200°F) on a wire rack.
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Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat in oven or air fryer for best texture.
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Freezer-friendly: Freeze after frying and reheat in oven at 375°F for 15–20 minutes.