Crispy Chicken Tenders Recipe (Panko Method)
If youโre in the mood for something crispy and tasty, these deep fried chicken tenders are just the thing to make everyone happy. Theyโre crispy on the outside and soft and full of flavor on the inside. Theyโre also great for a quick dinner, a hit at any weekend gathering, or as a snack during a big game. The best part is that theyโre easy to make, needing just a few basic ingredients so that you can whip them up without any trouble.
They also reheat well, so if you have any leftovers, theyโre just as good the next day. Just pair them with any dip you likeโketchup, ranch, or honey mustardโand you have a satisfying and yummy meal. And if youโre a fan of all things fried, check out these deep-fryer recipes for more crispy and crunchy treats to make at home!

Crispy Deep Fried Chicken Tenders
Equipment
- Tongs
- Baking Sheet
- Paper Towels (to absorb excess oil)
- 2 mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Fryer basket
Ingredients
- 4 large chicken breasts (cut into strips)
- 2 eggs
- ยผ cup milk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 quart peanut oil for frying
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Instructions
- Preheat the fryer.ย ย Preheat the oil in your deep fryer to 365ยฐF. Then, line a baking sheet or large plate with paper towels to drain the chicken after frying.
- Set up the breading station.ย ย In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until smooth. Then, mix the flour, panko bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and seasoned salt in a large bowl.
- Bread the chicken.ย ย Dip each chicken strip into the egg/milk mixture, making sure it's fully coated. Then, dredge the chicken in the panko/flour mixture, pressing lightly to make sure the breading sticks well. Work in small batches to avoid overcrowding, which helps prevent the chicken from sticking together.
- Fry the chicken.ย ย Place the breaded chicken strips in a single layer in the fryer basket. Then, lower the basket gently into the hot oil and fry for 5 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked. Once done, carefully lift the basket and transfer the chicken to the paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Serve immediately.ย ย Serve the tenders hot with your favorite dipping sauces for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
These chicken tenders are always a big hit at my family dinnersโthey turn out golden, crunchy, and delicious every time. My kids love them, and Iโm all for how quick and easy they are to whip up, especially since I usually have all the ingredients on hand.
My secret? I fry them in small batches so they get extra crispy without sticking together, and I always let them drain on paper towels to maintain that perfect crunch. They also reheat wonderfully in the oven, making any leftovers convenient and tasty for a snack or lunch the next day. I pair them with our favorite dipping sauces, and voilร , Iโve got a crowd-pleaser every timeโtrust me, they never last long!
Once youโve mastered these crispy tenders, why not try something sweet with them? These deep-fried Snickers are a fun and indulgent dessert thatโs sure to wow your guests.

Iโm sure youโll enjoy it as much as I do.
Key Ingredients and Tools
Here are some essential items and ingredients for this recipe:

- Panko breadcrumbs: These are Japanese-style breadcrumbs that are flaky and light, leading to an extra crispy layer. You can usually find them in most supermarketsโ baking or international section. If panko isnโt available, regular breadcrumbs can be used, though they wonโt give the same light, crispy texture.
- Peanut oil: Itโs great for frying due to its high smoking point and the slight flavor it adds. Depending on where you shop, peanut oil may be in the oil section or near international foods. If youโre out of peanut oil, you can also use vegetable or canola oil, but peanut oil will give you the crispiest finish.
- Chicken breasts: These are readily available and easy to slice into strips. You could also use chicken tenders or thighs if you like something juicier.
- Seasoned salt: It boosts the flavor of the breading. If itโs not on hand, regular salt mixed with garlic powder or paprika can be a good substitute.
- Deep fryer: Frying the chicken in a deep fryer simplifies the process, maintains a constant temperature, and ensures the chicken cooks evenly and stays crisp. You can use a heavy pot on the stove, but a deep fryer is more effective.
- Wire rack: Letting the fried chicken rest on a wire rack instead of paper towels helps the coating stay crispy by letting the oil drain off from all sides. Paper towels on a plate can work if a wire rack isn’t available, but the bottom might not stay as crispy.
Even though these items and ingredients might seem minor, they significantly impact the final quality of your chicken tenders!
Troubleshooting and Help
A couple of things can help with this. First, make sure the chicken is dry before breading itโpat it down with paper towels if needed. Also, after breading, let the chicken sit for a few minutes to let the coating set before frying.
Yes, you can! If you like to bake, preheat your oven to 400ยฐF and place the breaded chicken strips on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Bake for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and cooked through. They wonโt be as crispy as frying, but still tasty.
A deep fryer is super handy, but you donโt need one! You can use a heavy pot or Dutch oven filled with enough oil to submerge the chicken fully. Just be sure to use a thermometer to monitor the oil temperature so it stays around 365ยฐF.
Totally! If you want to kick up the heat, add cayenne pepper or chili powder to the breading mixture. You can adjust the amount based on how spicy you like it.
The easiest way to be sure is to use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165ยฐF. If you donโt have a thermometer, make sure the juices run clear when you cut into a piece, and the center isnโt pink.
Yes! You can bread the chicken strips ahead of time and refrigerate them for a few hours before frying. This also helps the breading stick better. When ready to serve, fry them; theyโll still turn out crispy and delicious.
Definitely! These crispy chicken tenders are a hit at parties because theyโre easy to eat, flavorful, and pair well with many dipping sauces. You can even make them in batches ahead of time and reheat them for a crowd without losing that perfect crunch. Theyโre great as finger food or served alongside other party favorites! For a fun twist, serve these tenders alongside crunchy, tangy, deep-fried pickles. The combination of flavors makes for a crowd-pleasing snack or appetizer.
These crunchy chicken strips are a simple and family-friendly dish youโll likely make often in your kitchen. With just a few basic ingredients and easy steps, you can prepare them for any eventโa quick meal, a weekend treat, or something to impress your guests. Theyโre great with your preferred dipping sauces or classic sides like fries and coleslaw.
They also reheat well, so you can still enjoy their crunch the next day. Perfect for feeding the family or entertaining a large group, this recipe always comes through. Youโll keep returning to it because it’s easy, adaptable, and popular!


By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.