Description
Perfectly crispy buttermilk fried chicken tenders, marinated for maximum tenderness and coated for ultimate crunch.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds (900g) chicken tenderloins or chicken breast cut into strips
- 2 cups (480ml) buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 4–6 cups vegetable oil or peanut oil (for frying)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine buttermilk with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Whisk until smooth.
- Add chicken tenderloins to the buttermilk mixture, cover with plastic wrap, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours (preferably 4).
- In a large shallow dish, mix together flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, and cayenne pepper.
- Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed pot to 350°F (175°C), ensuring the oil is deep enough for frying.
- Remove chicken from buttermilk marinade and dredge in the flour mixture, pressing gently to coat.
- Dip the floured chicken back into buttermilk and coat again in the flour mixture.
- Fry the chicken tenders in hot oil for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Transfer the fried tenders to a wire cooling rack to drain the excess oil and let rest for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Maintain oil temperature for perfect frying results. Let coated chicken sit for 5 minutes before frying for better adherence.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3-4 tenders
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 75mg