EASY Buttermilk Chicken Tenders Recipe. Homemade recipe for the juiciest chicken tenders in a buttermilk marinade.
The tenders are crispy on the outside yet melt-in-your-mouth tender and juicy on the inside.
We love kid-friendly recipes, and these homemade tenders are the ULTIMATE kid-approved recipe. When I’m making recipes I know my kid will love, we also go for the Crispy Chicken Sandwich, Crispy Parmesan Chicken, or the Pizza Rolls and customizable stromboli pizza with homemade dough.
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Buttermilk Chicken Tenders Recipe-
The easiest recipe for homemade chicken tenders. The tenders are dredged in a buttermilk marinade that adds so much flavor to the chicken. Once fried, the tenders become crispy and crunchy on the outside and retain the juiciness on the inside – SO GOOD!
How to make chicken tenders-
Enjoy these crispy chicken tenders with homemade honey mustard sauce or the best copycat chick-fil-a sauce!
- PREP CHICKEN- Cut chicken into tenders. TIP: You can purchase pre-cut tenderloins for a quicker recipe.
- MAKE MARINADE– In a bowl (or plastic storage bag), combine the buttermilk with salt and pepper. Add chicken tenders and be sure all sides are submerged and coated in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use!
- PREPARE BREADING– In a deep dish (we just like to use a pie dish or something similar), add all of the ingredients for the breading.
- COAT CHICKEN– Take chicken tenders from the marinade and pat against the side of the bowl allowing and excess marinade to drip off. Then, generously coat the tenders in the breading patting down the tenders so all sides are coated.
- FRY TENDERS– Add enough oil to your deep skillet or dutch oven to cover half of the tenders. Once the oil is how gently lower the chicken into the oil and fry until golden on both sides.
Chef’s TIP:Serve the tenders with homemade fries, sweet potato fries, or
even zucchini fries for a healthier option.
frequenlty asked questions-
Can I bake the tenders?
Yes, to bake the tenders, prepare per instructions and generously spray with cooking spray. Bake in a preheated oven to 400°F, 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of the tenders.
How to make homemade buttermilk?
If you do not have buttermilk on hand you can make your own! Just mix together 3/4 cup whole milk, 1/4 cup sour cream, 1 Tbsp lemon juice or white vinegar.
How long will chicken tenders last in the fridge?
You can keep the tenders refrigerated 1-2 days. Reheat before serving.
What oil should I use for frying?
We use canola oil, you can also use vegetable oil or olive oil for this recipe.
How do I reheat the tenders?
Reheat tenders over low heat in a skillet or in the oven until heated.
How long do I marinade the tenders?
We recommend at least 1 hour of allowing the chicken to marinate or overnight.
Can I make chicken nuggets instead?
YES! This recipe would be perfect for chicken nuggets. The frying time will be less as the meat pieces are smaller.
Freezer-Friendly Instructions- Cook tenders per recipe and are completely cool. Transfer to a freezer bag and freeze. To reheat, thaw overnight and bake until heated. Or, cover frozen tenders with foil and reheat at 350°F until heated.
Friends, I can’t wait for you to give these chicken tenders a try! You are in for a TREAT! 🙂
Other Chicken Recipes-
- Chicken Parmesan– classic recipe with homemade marinara.
- Lo Mein– with the easiest sauce.
- Chicken in Skillet– a family favorite.
- Fettuccine Alfredo– in our amazing Alfredo sauce!
Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Tenders
Author: Valentina
Quick and EASY homemade recipe for crispy Buttermilk Chicken Tenders. Crunchy on the outside and juicy and tender on the inside with a homemade honey mustard dipping sauce.
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
marinade-: 1 hour hour
Total Time: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken tenderloins
- oil, for frying
marinade-
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp ground black pepper
breading-
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, measured then sifted
- 1 cup panko crumbs
- 1¼ tsp salt, or to taste
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1½ tsp garlic powder
- 1½ tsp parsley flakes
- 1 tsp ground paprika
- 1 tsp cornstarch
dipping sauce-
- chick-fil-a sauce
- honey mustard sauce
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
In a deep bowl, combine buttermilk, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken tenders to the marinade and marinate for 1 hour or overnight.
Combine all the ingredients for the breading in a deep dish.
Remove the chicken tenders from the marinade allowing excess marinate to drip off.
Generously dredge into the breading mixture.
In a deep skillet, add oil for frying (about 3 inches deep). Once oil is hot, add one chicken at a time.
Fry the chicken tenders 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking (until all sides are crispy and golden).
Enjoy chicken tenders with the desired dipping sauce!
Notes
NOTE: Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the tenders.
Nutrition
368kcal Calories21g Carbs36g Protein15g Fat3g Saturated Fat106mg Cholesterol641mg Potassium1g Fiber9g Sugar206IU Vitamin A2mg Vitamin C63mg Calcium1mg Iron
- Full Nutrition Label
Nutrition Facts
Crispy Buttermilk Chicken Tenders
Amount Per Serving
Calories 368Calories from Fat 135
% Daily Value*
Fat 15g23%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 106mg35%
Potassium 641mg18%
Carbohydrates 21g7%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 9g10%
Protein 36g72%
Vitamin A 206IU4%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 63mg6%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
(The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Did you make this recipe?
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Leave a comment
64 comments
- Fazila
I’ve made these twice now. absolutely delicious! Simple yet incredibly flavorful. Even the picky eaters in my house ate it. Thank you!
- Reply
- Valentina’s Corner
Fazila, I’m so glad you enjoyed the buttermilk chicken tender – they are a family favorite for us as well.
- Reply
- jessica
Hi Valentina! Panko crumbs did not stick very well to the chicken tenders. Did you have the same problem? Or maybe I am doing something wrong? Thanks
- Reply
- Valentina’s Corner
Two things: Your oil wasn’t hot enough when you added the tenders to the oil, or, not enough of the buttermilk mixture was removed before dredging in the crumb mixture. I hope this helps and you love the recipe.
- Reply
- Priscilla
I made these and even my picky husband enjoyed them! I’ll be making these again!
Can you air fry these? What temp and how much time?- Reply
- Valentina’s Corner
That just makes me so happy, Priscilla. Honestly, I’ve not tested in an air fryer but if you give it a try, we’d love the feedback.
- Reply
- Nelya
Tried this recipe today, and it was delicious! My son asked me to make it again tomorrow 😋
- Reply
- Valentina’s Corner
So sweet, I’m so glad he enjoyed the chicken tenders. Thank you for visiting our online kitchen.
- Reply
- Christina
Totally just curious, what’s the point of adding cornstarch?
Look forward to making these!!- Reply
- Valentina’s Corner
Adds crispiness, Christina. I hope you love the recipe.
- Reply
- Pat
Made this recipe came out delicious used in air fryer very tender and the mustard sauce was delicious
- Reply
- Valentina’s Corner
Pat, thank you for trying our recipe! Love that you did the air fryer method!
- Reply
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