Kikis Favorite Deep Fried Buttermilk Chicken Tenders Recipes

BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN TENDERS

Steps:

• To marinate the chicken: In a large sealable bag, combine the chicken tenders with the remaining marinade ingredients. Seal the bag tightly and massage the chicken until it is evenly coated with buttermilk and seasoning. Place in a bowl (in case of leakage) and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours.
• To make the breading: In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Whisk until well blended, then add the buttermilk and stir with a fork until the mixture is evenly clumpy.
• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Remove the chicken tenders from the marinade a few at a time and toss into the breading mixture. Be sure to press the chicken firmly into the breading so clumps adhere to the meat. (It's a messy job: use one hand to remove the wet tenders from the bag and the other to toss in the breading.) Set breaded tenders on the prepared baking sheet.
• To fry the chicken: Line another baking sheet with a few layers of paper towels and set next to the stove. Add oil to a large, high-sided pot until the level reaches about ¾-inch. Heat over medium-high heat until oil is shimmering (about 350°). (If a cube of bread sizzles when you drop it in, it's ready.) Using tongs, place several chicken tenders in the hot oil without crowding the pan. Cook until golden brown on the bottom side, a few minutes, then flip and cook until the second side is also golden, a few minutes more. Set the cooked tenders on the paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Fry remaining tenders in batches adjusting the heat as necessary (if the tenders are browning too fast, lower the heat). Serve hot.
• Note: I find that it's hard to tell how golden the chicken is when it's immersed in the oil. It may only look lightly golden, but it's actually a perfect fried chicken golden brown. If you're unsure, simply pull a tender out of the oil and rest it on the paper towels to see the true color.
• Note: Nutritional information was calculated assuming that approximately ¼ cup of the oil is absorbed into the chicken tenders when frying.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cooked chicken tenders can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, put the frozen tenders on a wire rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through and crisp, about 25 minutes, flipping halfway through.

FRIED BUTTERMILK CHICKEN STRIPS

Steps:

• Soak chicken tenders in buttermilk for 20 to 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
• While chicken is soaking, combine flour, salt, garlic salt, mustard powder, paprika, and pepper in a large brown bag.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Drain chicken and shake lightly to remove excess buttermilk. Chicken should still be damp. Drop chicken into the bag of seasoned flour and shake until well coated.
• Drop chicken into hot oil, about 6 pieces at a time, depending on the size of your pot. Cook until golden brown, crispy, and no longer pink in the centers, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt and pepper while still warm.

KIKI'S FAVORITE DEEP-FRIED BUTTERMILK CHICKEN TENDERS

Steps:

• Mix buttermilk and 1 tablespoon seasoned salt together in a bowl. Stir in chicken tenders. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 and up to 6 hours.
• Preheat oven to 170 degrees F (75 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with paper towels; place a cooling rack on sheet and set in oven.
• Mix remaining 1 tablespoon seasoned salt, panko bread crumbs, and pepper together in a large, flat bowl.
• Remove tenders from marinade one at a time and shake to remove excess buttermilk. Roll pieces in panko mixture and place on a large platter.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 370 degrees F (190 degrees C). Fry chicken pieces 3 or 4 at a time in hot oil until browned and crispy, about 3 minutes. Transfer to cooling rack in oven to keep them warm as you fry.

CHICKEN TENDERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl mix flour, paprika, salt and black pepper
• In a second bowl mix buttermilk and egg
• Pour vegetable oil in a large deep skillet and heat to 375*F
• While oil is heating, coat one chicken tender in flour mixture.
• Transfer to egg bowl and coat in egg mixture.
• Then transfer back to the flour bowl and coat again.
• Set aside and repeat with remaining chicken tenders.
• Once oil reaches 375*F, place chicken tenders in hot oil.
• Cook 3-4 minutes per side (depending on thickness) or until internal temperature of strip reaches 165*F
• This may require you to do more than one batch of cooking, depending on size of pan.
• Remove cooked chicken to a plate with paper towels to cool.
• Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.