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Southern Fried Chicken Tenders

Southern Fried Chicken Tenders
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Southern Fried Chicken Tenders are crispy, juicy, and flavorful bite-sized pieces of chicken coated in a seasoned flour mixture and fried to golden perfection. This easy-to-make classic offers a tender interior with a perfectly crunchy crust, capturing the essence of Southern comfort food. Ideal for family dinners, game day snacks, or casual gatherings, this recipe delivers irresistible crunch and savory taste with simple steps and versatile options including gluten-free and oven-baked variations.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb chicken tenders
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free version)
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • Vegetable oil, for frying (about 2 cups)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Trim any excess fat from the chicken tenders and pat them dry with paper towels. Soak the tenders in buttermilk mixed with a pinch of salt and pepper for at least 30 minutes to tenderize and enhance flavor.
  2. Mix the Flour and Seasonings: In a shallow dish, combine the all-purpose flour with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. This seasoned flour mixture will create the crispy, flavorful coating for the chicken.
  3. Coat the Chicken: Remove each tender from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge the tender thoroughly in the flour mixture, pressing gently to coat evenly. Place on a wire rack for a few minutes to help the coating adhere better.
  4. Fry to Perfection: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the coated tenders in batches to avoid overcrowding, cooking about 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. Drain and Serve: Transfer fried tenders to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. Let rest for a couple of minutes so the juices settle and coating stays crisp before serving.

Notes

  • Use buttermilk to tenderize the chicken and help the coating adhere perfectly.
  • Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying to maintain oil temperature and crispiness.
  • Use a thermometer to keep the frying oil at the ideal temperature of 350°F (175°C).
  • Let the tenders rest on a wire rack after frying to keep the coating crunchy and avoid sogginess.
  • For extra crunch, double dredge by dipping in buttermilk and flour mixture twice before frying.

Nutrition

Keywords: Southern fried chicken tenders, crispy chicken, chicken strips, comfort food, finger food, gluten-free chicken tenders, fried chicken

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