Chicken Tenders
If you are looking for a quick and easy way to make restaurant-style chicken tenders at home, then you’ve come to the right place. These chicken tenders are made with simple pantry ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen, and they can be made in less than an hour.
Fried chicken tenders, also known as chicken fingers or chicken strips, are a popular dish consisting of juicy pieces of boneless chicken, lightly battered and deep-fried. The tenderness of this dish sets it apart from other fried-chicken dishes – the batter helps to keep in the moisture and flavor as the chicken cooks!
Typically, they are served with an array of dipping sauces such as ketchup, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, ranch dressing or hot sauce – they can be eaten on their own too! They’re so tasty you won’t even need the dip.
Fried chicken tenders are made by cutting up boneless skinless chicken breasts into thin strips and marinated in buttermilk to further tenderize them. Dredge in a coating mixture such as flour or breadcrumbs. Finally, they are fried in heated oil until golden brown on both sides. Some cooks prefer to double coat their tenders for extra crunchy texture.
These delicious morsels are often served with French fries as part of traditional American comfort food meals such as “Chicken & Fries”. It has become one of America’s most beloved fast foods due to its quick preparation time and ease of transportability making it an ideal snack for lunch boxes or picnics.
Overall, fried chicken tenders is a classic crowd pleaser perfect for kids and adults alike – no matter what age! So next time you’re craving some savory fried comfort food, give these tasty treats a try!
Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
FOR THE MARINADE
- 1½ lbs chicken tenderloins
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ cup milk
FOR THE BREADING
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup water
- 1 large egg
FOR COOKING
- 3 cups vegetable oil
Instructions
MARINATE THE CHICKEN
- Place the cut chicken tenders in a large bowl.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Add milk then mix together.
- Let it sit for an hour so that it marinates properly (this will give the chicken its signature flavor).
MAKE THE BREADING
- In a separate small bowl, crack the egg and add water then stir with a fork until they are mixed together.
- Dredge the chicken tender into flour, coating evenly on all sides.
- Next, dip into the egg and water mixture and coat with flour again.
FRY THE CHICKEN
- Heat up enough vegetable oil in a large saucepan until 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Once heated, add chicken tenders one at a time. Ensure not to overcrowd the pan. Move pieces around occasionally during cooking so that they fry evenly on both sides, about 5 minutes each side until golden brown color appears.
- Remove chicken tenders onto plate lined with kitchen towel papers to absorb any extra grease. Let it cool for 15 minutes before serving enjoy.
Video
Nutrition
Are chicken tenders just chicken breasts?
No – chicken tenders and chicken breasts are different cuts of meat from the same bird. A “tender” (also known as a tenderloin or tender) is a long, thin muscle located near the breast and running along both sides of the backbone. It’s one of the most sought-after cuts because it’s so juicy, flavorful, and lean. Chicken breasts are cut from across the chest area. They can be diced into cubes for stir fries or grilled whole for sandwiches. But, they don’t have that dynamic juiciness you get with tenders. Depending on what kind of dish you’re making, either type will work to provide a tasty meal!
What are chicken tenders?
Chicken tenders, also known as chicken strips or chicken fingers, are a type of prepared food made from small strips of boneless chicken meat. They may either be battered and fried, or coated in a breadcrumb mixture and baked. Chicken tenders are often served with sauce such as honey mustard, ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, and buffalo sauce.
Are chicken tenders as healthy as breasts?
The short answer is that chicken tenders are not as healthy as chicken breasts. While both are good sources of lean protein, chicken tenders contain more calories, sodium and saturated fat than its breast counterpart.
Chicken Breasts – Per 3-ounce (85g) serving: Calories: 130; Fat: 3 grams; Sodium: 64 mg; Saturated Fat: 1 gram
Chicken Tenders – Per 5-ounce (142g) serving*: Calories 240; Fat 9 grams; Sodium 671 mg; Saturated fat 2 grams
When it comes to nutrition, there’s a big difference between breasts and tenders. Chicken breasts are low in calories, offer a significant amount of protein with barely any fat or carbs. They also feature minimal sodium levels and no cholesterol at all! On the other hand, the same portion size of nugget-style chicken tender can double the calorie content. Plus, add on a considerable amount of unhealthy saturated fats along with high amounts of sodium too.
Boneless skinless chicken breasts have a notable advantage when considering their vitamin and mineral content. In fact, they surpass most other cuts of chicken, including tenders, in terms of nutritional value per ounce or gram. What sets breast meat apart is its higher concentration of essential nutrients like vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B6, and selenium. These vitamins play vital roles in supporting various bodily functions such as metabolism, immune function, and DNA repair.
In conclusion, based on nutritional comparison data it is clear that chicken breasts are healthier than tenders.
You May Also Like
- Fried Chicken
- Chicken Adobo
- Teriyaki Chicken and Asparagus Stir-Fry
- Creamy Garlic Scallops
- Fluffy Pancakes
About Author
