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+ servings

Crispy Deep Fried Chicken Tenders

Breaded and deep-fried chicken tenders come out perfectly crispy and browned every time for a dinner your kids will love.
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:10 minutes
Total Time:30 minutes

Equipment

  • Electric deep fryer (a deep pot or Dutch oven can also work)
  • Tongs
  • Baking Sheet
  • Paper Towels (to absorb excess oil)
  • 2 mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Fryer basket
  • Thermometer

Ingredients

  • 4 large chicken breasts (cut into evenly sized strips)
  • 2 eggs
  • ¼ 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

Instructions

  • Preheat the fryer.  Preheat the oil in your deep fryer to 365°F. Then, line a baking sheet or large plate with paper towels to drain the chicken after frying.
  • Set up the breading station.  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.  Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. 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. Tap off any excess flour. Work in small batches to avoid overcrowding, which helps prevent the chicken from sticking together. Let the chicken sit for a few minutes before frying to help the coating stick better.
  • Fry the chicken.  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.  Serve the tenders hot with your favorite dipping sauces for the best texture and flavor.

Notes

Start with chicken from the fridge because it sticks to the coating better and gets crispy in hot oil.  Don’t use frozen chicken, though.
Allow any leftovers to cool to room temperature and store tightly covered in the fridge. Reheat in a 325 degree oven for 5-7 minutes. 
To bake instead, preheat your oven to 400°F 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 won’t be as crispy as frying, but still tasty.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5pound | Calories: 391kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 152mg | Sodium: 1049mg | Potassium: 662mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 143IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 3mg
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 391kcal
Author: Katie