Crispy Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauce

Here’s a Crispy Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauce recipe — crunchy on the outside, juicy inside, and perfect for dinner, snacks, or game day 🍗✨
Everything is written step-by-step and easy to follow.

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🍗 Crispy Chicken Tenders

Serves 4

Ingredients

Chicken

• 1½ lb (680 g) chicken tenders (or chicken breast cut into strips)

• 1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp paprika

• ½ tsp garlic powder

Breading

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• ½ cup cornstarch (extra crispiness)

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tsp paprika

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp onion powder

For Frying

• Vegetable or canola oil (about 1 inch deep)

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Step-by-Step Directions

1. Marinate the Chicken (Key for Juiciness)

1. In a bowl, mix buttermilk, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.

2. Add chicken tenders.

3. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes (up to 8 hours).

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2. Prepare the Breading

1. In a shallow dish, mix flour, cornstarch, salt, paprika, pepper, and onion powder.

2. Stir well to combine.

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3. Bread the Chicken

1. Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off.

2. Dredge each piece firmly in the flour mixture.

3. Press coating on well for extra crunch.

4. Place breaded chicken on a plate and rest 5 minutes.

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4. Heat the Oil

1. Heat oil in a deep skillet to 350°F (175°C).

2. Oil should sizzle immediately when chicken is added.

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5. Fry the Chicken

1. Fry tenders in batches.

2. Cook 3–4 minutes per side, until:

   • Golden brown

   • Internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C)

3. Transfer to a wire rack or paper towels.

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🥣 Dipping Sauce Options

Classic Honey Mustard

• ¼ cup mayonnaise

• 2 tbsp honey

• 2 tbsp Dijon or yellow mustard

• 1 tsp lemon juice

Mix until smooth.

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Ranch-Style Sauce

• ½ cup mayonnaise

• ¼ cup sour cream

• 1 tsp dried dill

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• 1 tbsp milk (to thin)

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Spicy BBQ Sauce

• ½ cup BBQ sauce

• 1–2 tsp hot sauce

• 1 tsp honey

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

• French fries or potato wedges

• Coleslaw

• Corn on the cob

• Salad

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⭐ Pro Tips

• Cornstarch is the secret to extra crispiness.

• Don’t overcrowd the pan — oil temperature matters.

• Let chicken rest on a rack, not paper towels, to stay crispy.

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Variations

• Oven-baked: bake at 425°F (220°C) for 18–22 minutes, flipping once

• Air fryer: cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10–12 minutes

• Spicy: add cayenne pepper to breading