Easy Chick-fil-A chicken tenders are crispy, juicy, and incredibly simple to make at home. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a satisfying weekend treat. Plus, they are kid-approved, making mealtime a breeze!
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Why You’ll Love These Easy Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders
These easy Chick-fil-A chicken tenders bring the iconic taste of your favorite restaurant right to your kitchen. They offer a delightful crunch on the outside and a tender, juicy bite on the inside. Not only are they delicious, but they’re also incredibly versatile. Serve them with various dipping sauces or alongside your favorite sides for a meal everyone will love!
Ingredients for Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to achieving that perfect crunch. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Vegetable oil (for frying or baking)
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders
Preparing and Marinating the Chicken
Start by cutting the chicken breasts into 1 to 1.5-inch strips. Place them in a bowl and cover with buttermilk. Then, add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything well, cover, and let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least one hour. Overnight is even better for maximum flavor!
Crafting the Crispy Breading
In another bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, and baking powder. This mixture is crucial for achieving that signature crunch. Be sure to mix thoroughly so every piece of chicken gets a good coating.
Breading the Chicken Strips
Once your chicken is well-marinated, take it out and let the excess liquid drip off. Dredge each chicken strip in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to ensure the coating adheres well. Place the breaded tenders on a plate or baking sheet, ready for cooking.
Cooking Your Chicken Tenders (Frying or Baking)
You have two options for cooking these tasty tenders. For frying, heat about one inch of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat until it reaches 350°F. Fry the tenders in batches for about 4-5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and the internal temperature hits 165°F. If you prefer baking, preheat your oven to 400°F and place the breaded tenders on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through for even cooking.
Tips for Perfectly Crispy Chicken Tenders
Frying Tips
Keep a close eye on the oil temperature! Maintaining it at 350°F is key to preventing greasiness or burning. Also, avoid overcrowding the skillet to ensure evenly cooked and crispy tenders.
Baking Tips
If you’re baking, space the tenders on the sheet to allow hot air to circulate. This ensures they get crispy all around. Remember to flip them halfway through for that golden perfection!
Reheating and Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. To reheat, avoid the microwave as it can make them soggy. Instead, use the oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes or a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until warmed through.
Customizing Your Chicken Tenders
Gluten-Free Chick-fil-A Tenders
If you need a gluten-free option, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and use ground almonds or gluten-free breadcrumbs for the cornmeal. This way, everyone can enjoy these tenders!
Spicy Chick-fil-A Tenders
For those who enjoy a little heat, try adding cayenne pepper to the breading mixture or mixing some hot sauce into the buttermilk marinade. It’s an easy way to kick up the flavor!
Serving Suggestions for Your Copycat Tenders
Delicious Dipping Sauces
These tenders are perfect for dipping! Pair them with honey mustard, BBQ sauce, ranch, buffalo sauce, or sweet and sour sauce for an extra layer of flavor.
Perfect Side Dishes
Complete your meal with some tasty sides. French fries, coleslaw, macaroni and cheese, or even fresh vegetable sticks make fantastic accompaniments to your chicken tenders.
Time Breakdown for Easy Chicken Tenders
Prep and Marinating Time
The active prep time is just 10 minutes, but remember to allow at least one hour for marinating—overnight is best for maximum flavor.
Cooking Time
Cooking these tenders takes about 10-15 minutes for frying or 20-25 minutes for baking, depending on your method of choice.
Total Time
From start to finish, you’re looking at around 1 hour and 10 minutes to several hours if you opt for overnight marination.
FAQs
What ingredients do I need for easy chick-fil-a chicken tenders?
For easy Chick-fil-A chicken tenders, you’ll need: boneless, skinless chicken breasts, buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, all-purpose flour, cornmeal, baking powder, and vegetable oil.
How do I make easy chick-fil-a chicken tenders step by step?
Cut chicken into strips, marinate in buttermilk and spices, prepare the breading, coat the strips, and then fry or bake until golden and cooked through.
Can I make easy chick-fil-a chicken tenders ahead of time?
Yes, you can marinate the chicken overnight for better flavor and also prepare the breading in advance. Just coat and cook when ready.
How should I store leftover easy chick-fil-a chicken tenders?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the oven or skillet to retain crispiness.
Related Recipes to try
- Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
- Teriyaki Chicken Bowl 2
- Sticky Chicken Rice Bowls
- Chicken Fajita Bowl
- Chicken Fajita Bowls
- Fiesta Chicken Bowl
Conclusion
Making easy Chick-fil-A chicken tenders at home is a delightful experience for you and your family. They are crispy, flavorful, and fun to customize. For more inspiration, check out our delicious recipes on Pinterest at Artemis Recipes. Enjoy creating your own family favorites!
Easy Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders: A Family Favorite!
Equipment
- bowl
- skillet
- baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- paper towels
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- Vegetable oil for frying
Optional Additions
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper for spicy tenders
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce for marinade
For Gluten-Free
- gluten-free flour blend
- ground almonds or gluten-free breadcrumbs instead of cornmeal
For Healthier Option
- whole wheat flour or almond flour instead of all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Cut chicken breasts into 1 to 1.5-inch strips. Place in a bowl with buttermilk and seasonings (garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, pepper). Mix well, cover, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, and baking powder. Mix thoroughly.
- Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge each strip in the flour mixture, pressing lightly to adhere the coating. Place breaded tenders on a plate or baking sheet.
- Cook tenders by frying: Heat 1 inch of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat to 350°F. Fry in batches for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Alternatively, bake: Preheat oven to 400°F, place tenders on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Drain cooked tenders on a paper towel-lined plate.
Reheating Instructions
- For best results, reheat cooked tenders in the oven at 375°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway. Alternatively, reheat in a skillet over medium heat.
Freezing Instructions
- Freeze cooked tenders by cooling them completely. Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet for 1-2 hours, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag.