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+ servings

Famous Buttermilk Chicken Tenders

Everyone will love these deep fried chicken tenders. A buttermilk honey marinate makes them extra tender.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
marinating4 hours
Total Time4 hours 55 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: buttermilk chicken tenders, chicken tenders made with buttermilk
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 542kcal
Author: Katie

Equipment

  • Deep fryer

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast trimmed and cut into 1/2 inch strips then cut in half lengthwise
  • 1 quart oil for frying peanut recommended

For the buttermilk mixture

  • cups buttermilk
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • tablespoons honey

For the seasoned flour

  • 3 cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  • Marinate. Combine the buttermilk, salt, cayenne, and honey in a large mixing bowl. Add the chicken and toss until fully submerged. Cover and allow to marinate for 1 hour at room temperature or 4 hours in the refrigerator.
    bowl of buttermilk marinade with chicken tenders inside.
  • Bread. Combine the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a large mixing bowl. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk marinade, shaking off any excess. Working in batches, coat the chicken in the seasoned flour.
    bowl of seasoned flour with tenders tossed inside.
  • Fry. Preheat oil in deep fryer or Dutch oven to 365 degrees. Prepare a baking sheet by lining with paper towels and laying a wire cooling rack on top. Deep fry the tenders in a single layer for 6 minutes, or until medium golden brown and thoroughly cooked. Allow to drain on the cooling rack or paper towel lined baking sheets. while you finish cooking the remaining chicken.
  • Serve immediately, or keep warm in a 200 degree oven until serving.

Notes

You can also fry these in a skillet with a 1/4 inch of oil, but you'll need to turn them halfway through.
Serve with honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or ranch on the side. 

Nutrition

Calories: 542kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 57g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 152mg | Sodium: 2266mg | Potassium: 1004mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 238IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 93mg | Iron: 4mg