Southern Fried Chicken Tenders Recipe
With a choice of dipping sauce.
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Ingredients
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Chicken Tenders
Dipping Sauce
Method
Preparing Chicken Tenders
- 1
Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, combine the buttermilk and chicken strips. Ensure that all chicken pieces are fully submerged. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for best results.
- 2
Prepare the Breading
In a separate large bowl, mix together the flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper. Whisk until well combined.
- 3
Coat the Chicken
Remove the marinated chicken strips from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, ensuring a thorough coating. Shake off any excess breading.
Frying the Chicken
- 4
Heat the Oil
In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). Use a thermometer for accuracy.
- 5
Fry the Chicken
Carefully add the coated chicken strips to the hot oil in batches, avoiding overcrowding. Fry for 4-5 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
- 6
Serve
Once all chicken tenders are fried, serve them hot with your choice of dipping sauce.
Preparing Dipping Sauce
- 7
Mix the Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, hot sauce, honey, garlic powder, and a pinch of salt until smooth. Adjust seasoning according to taste.