What’s more comforting than a bucket of perfectly crispy chicken tenders? When it comes to this popular fried chicken meal, KFC definitely sets itself apart from the rest. There’s just something in that crunch when you bite into the delicious chicken inside.
Well, we have some good news for all fans of copycat KFC chicken tenders – you can now make your own crispy, juicy chicken fingers at home that taste as good as those sold at KFC.
In this article, you’ll find out how to make nice and crunchy KFC chicken tenders in your own home. We’re sure you won’t be able to taste a difference.
Ready? Let’s start from the beginning.
How to Make KFC Chicken Tenders
These crunchy chicken fingers are out of this world. No wondering you’re visiting KFC that often. They are juicy, delicious, and super crispy on the outside. But from now on, you can make your own chicken fingers at home as we’re about to reveal you the secret to making the popular KFC chicken tenders.
These mouthwatering chicken fingers are soaked in buttermilk and are extra moist and flavorful on the inside. With our recipe, you will make a dinnertime staple everyone in your family will love.
What’s more, with spices like the ones you find at KFC, you can make the perfect meal when fast food cravings hit. In addition, we’ll tell you how to bake them in the oven as well. In that way, you can enjoy them without feeling guilty.
To make your chicken tenders, you need skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenderloin pieces. If you use chicken breasts, you’ll have an extra step of slicing them into thin strips. The second option is better when you’re in a rush.
To cut chicken breasts the right length for your KFC chicken tenders, make sure you cut it along the long side. Otherwise, you’ll cut it the shorter side and they will turn out to be the size of a standard fish stick which is about 2 to 3 inches.
Once you fry your chicken tenders, place them on a cookie sheet or baking sheet and keep them in an oven at 250°F. In this way, you’ll keep them warm and crispy until you serve them. You can also keep them in the oven at a low temperature until you finish frying all of them.
This trick will make sure they stay juicy as well. Just make sure you don’t raise the temperature in the oven as that will dry them out. If you keep them in the oven at the right temperature, they can stay juicy and crispy for hours. The fried chicken tenders shouldn’t be covered with anything to prevent them from losing the crispiness. If they are covered, steam will be created that will ruin their characteristic texture.
Here’s everything you need to make KFC chicken tenders.
KFC Chicken Tenders
4 from 501 votes
Recipe by Laura Ritterman Course: MainCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings
16
servings
Prep time
40
minutes
Cooking time
20
minutes
Calories
136
kcal
Making any KFC is fun but in particular this KFC Chicken Tenders recipe is enjoyable. You can bring this experience into your own home.
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 large eggs
1 cup 1 buttermilk
2 cups 2 flour
1 tsp. 1 hot sauce
1/8 tsp. 1/8 garlic powder
1/8 tsp. 1/8 paprika
¾ tsp. pepper
2 ½ tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. 1/8 baking powder
Canola oil
Directions
- Cut each chicken breast into 4 tenders.
- Have the marinade previously prepared by mixing the hot sauce and buttermilk in a bowl.
- Put the chicken tenders in the marinade and let them soak for half an hour.
- Beat the eggs in one bowl. Mix the flour and spices in a separate bowl.
- Dip the marinated chicken tenders in the flour and spice mixture, in the bowl with eggs, and once again in the flour and spice mixture.
- Shake off any excess flour before placing the tenders on a baking sheet. Do this with each chicken tender.
- Add canola oil in a dutch oven, around 3 inches deep, and heat it to 350°F.
- Place the chicken tenders in the heated oil and fry until golden brown, or 5 to 7 minutes.
It’s best to fry in small batches. - Serve and enjoy
Notes
- The key to frying the best KFC chicken tenders is marinating them in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes. This will make the meat tender and the chicken tenders moist. What’s more, the buttermilk will boost their flavor and help the first coat of seasoned flour to stick better.
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Nutrition Facts
16 servings per container
Serving Size1 servings
- Amount Per ServingCalories136
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 2g 4%
- Cholesterol 57mg 19%
- Sodium 458mg 20%
- Potassium 255mg 8%
- Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
- Protein 14g 29%
- Vitamin A 2%
- Vitamin C 1%
- Calcium 3%
- Iron 2%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Tips & Tricks
You can enjoy your chicken tenders on their own, or with some dipping sauce such as honey mustard, buffalo sauce, chick fil a sauce, ranch, or fry sauce.
Make sure you marinate your chicken tenders even if you’re baking them.
To add a crunch or crispy texture, use regular or panko breadcrumbs in which case you’d have to reduce the flour. This step allows you to bake your chicken tenders instead of frying them.
If your cooking method is frying and you’re using panko breadcrumbs, your chicken tenders may have higher fat and saturated fat content. That’s because breadcrumbs absorb more fat than flour. But don’t worry, you can combine your fried chicken tenders with some roasted vegetables to add the necessary dietary fiber.
If you decide to go with baking, the healthier option, make sure you add your spices to breadcrumbs or panko crumbs instead of flour once you finish with the marinade. Dredge the marinated chicken tenders in the breadcrumbs and place them on a baking sheet. Spray with cooking spray or brush with two tablespoons of melted butter. Bake at 400°F for about 25 minutes.
Conclusion
With this recipe, you can make finger-licking KFC chicken tenders that your family and friends will love. Knowing the secret to making these juicy and crispy chicken fingers will help you recreate the popular KFC meal.
Serve them hot with some dipping sauce like honey and mustard or roasted vegetables for a fiber boost. You can choose to bake them instead of frying them for a healthier variety. Either way, they are delicious.
Related
Laura Ritterman
Hi, I’m Laura and having studied an MSc in Nutrition, becoming a professional chef and appearing on major publications with my recipes I decided to create a website of my own. This website is where I share unique recipes, tips and cooking inspiration that will allow your culinary skills flourish. You can contact me here. For more information, you can find more about me.
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