Description
These buttermilk fried chicken tenders are super crispy and crunchy on the outside while still being juicy and tender on the inside, served with a tangy homemade buttermilk ranch.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 pounds chicken tenderloins
- 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning (optional)
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon fresh chives
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- kosher salt to taste
Instructions
- Buttermilk Ranch: Whisk together all ingredients except the buttermilk until smooth, then slowly whisk in the buttermilk until the desired consistency is reached.
- Marinate: Whisk together marinade ingredients in a large bowl, add chicken tenderloins and massage to coat, then cover and refrigerate for 4 to 24 hours.
- Heat Oil: Pour 2-4 cups of vegetable oil into a heavy bottomed pot and heat over medium-high until it reaches 375°F.
- Bread Chicken: Combine flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, cayenne, smoked paprika, and garlic powder on a plate; remove chicken from marinade and coat generously.
- Fry: Add 3-4 tenders to the oil and fry for 7-9 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 160°F.
- Drain and Serve: Place fried tenders on a wire rack to drip, then serve immediately with the homemade ranch.
Notes
Store chicken tenders in the fridge for up to 3 days and ranch for up to a week. To reheat, place tenders on a baking sheet in a 400°F oven for 10-15 minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 452 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 1813 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.03 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 55 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg
Keywords: buttermilk fried chicken, chicken tenders, homemade ranch, crispy chicken, American cuisine