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Crispy Southern Fried Chicken Tenders with Buttermilk Soak

crispy southern fried chicken tenders - featured image
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These crispy Southern fried chicken tenders are soaked in buttermilk for tenderness and coated in a seasoned flour mixture for a perfectly crunchy crust. Quick and easy, they make a comforting meal or snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh chicken tenders, trimmed
  • 1 ½ cups buttermilk (or 1 ½ cups milk + 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice or white vinegar, let sit 5 minutes)
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • Vegetable oil or peanut oil, about 2 inches deep for frying

Instructions

  1. Prepare the buttermilk soak: In a large bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and half of the seasoning mix (½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon cayenne, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper). Add the chicken tenders, fully submerged. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 8 hours.
  2. Mix the coating: In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, and remaining seasoning blend. Stir well.
  3. Beat the eggs in a shallow dish.
  4. Heat oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C), about 2 inches deep.
  5. Dredge the chicken: Remove a tender from the soak, let excess drip off, dip in beaten eggs, then coat in flour mixture. Repeat for all tenders.
  6. Fry in batches: Add a few tenders to hot oil without overcrowding. Fry 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Drain and rest: Transfer tenders to a wire rack over a baking sheet to keep crispy. Avoid stacking.
  8. Serve warm with favorite dipping sauces.

Notes

Maintain oil temperature between 325°F and 350°F for best results. Use a thermometer to avoid greasy or burnt coating. Drain tenders on a wire rack to keep them crispy. Pat chicken dry before soaking to help coating stick better. For gluten-free, substitute flour and cornstarch with gluten-free flour blend. Baking option: bake at 425°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.

Nutrition

Keywords: fried chicken tenders, southern fried chicken, buttermilk chicken, crispy chicken, easy chicken recipe, comfort food, chicken tenders recipe

Find it online: https://norasfoods.com/crispy-southern-fried-chicken-tenders-recipe-perfect-buttermilk-soak-tips/