Truly crispy fried chicken tenders are a dinnertime staple you’re whole family will love. Get all my tips for making that crispy crust you crave, seasoning like a pro (and shortcuts if you don’t know how), and fry them up like “cast iron skillet” is your middle name.
I’m not going to lie or sugar coat this. If you haven’t ever fried anything, you’ll more than likely mess this up.
There must be a rule that says you can’t use a cast iron skillet as an adult if you don’t get your first one by age 5. No–frying takes practice. Lots of it.
Sometimes you’ll burn things, sometimes you’ll cook it too low and all the breading will fall off. Sometimes it will be golden on the outside and raw in the middle.
You just can’t give up. If you need to, use an electric skillet where you can set the heat or a fryer for safety. Please don’t burn your house down.
Don’t walk away from it. Don’t do laundry. Don’t take a nap. (I know a friend who has!)
I didn’t use buttermilk in my crispy fried chicken tenders, but you can if you want to. Just wet them in buttermilk before you put them in the first layer of flour. I just didn’t here because I get the best crust with egg and flour.
You can make your family the most unhealthy ones on the block. I mean–think about it: donuts, pickles, Twinkies, funnel cakes. Oh man. Funnel cakes. I’m just looking out for your best interests here.
Chicken tenders are a beloved appetizer or main dish that can be found on menus across America. Their crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior make them an irresistible finger food. But cooking up perfect deep fried chicken tenders at home can be tricky if you don’t know how long to fry them. Undercook them and they’ll be soggy and raw inside. Overcook them and they’ll be dried out and tough. So what’s the magic frying time for flawless deep fried chicken tenders? Let’s break it down step-by-step.
The Ideal Temperature for Deep Frying Chicken Tenders
Getting the oil hot enough is the first step to making great fried chicken tenders. Most experts say that you should heat your oil or fryer to 350°F to 375°F. Food that is fried in oil that is too cool will get greasy because they soak up more oil. If the oil is too hot, the outside will burn before the inside is fully cooked.
A deep fry thermometer takes the guesswork out of keeping the oil at the right temperature. A temperature of 350°F is the “Goldilocks” temperature for crisping up the breading and cooking the chicken all the way through without drying it out.
Average Chicken Tender Frying Time
Once the oil is between 350°F and 375°F, carefully add the chicken tenders to the hot oil, being careful not to crowd the fryer. The oil temperature drops when there are too many people in it, which makes the cooking uneven. The average amount of time needed to fry 3/4-inch thick chicken tenders that don’t have any bones or skin is:
- 4-6 minutes
Flipping the tenders halfway through ensures even browning. 6 minutes should suffice for getting the interior up to the 165°F safe temperature for chicken. But frying time can vary based on the size and thickness of your tenders, so it’s important to…
Use a Meat Thermometer to Test Doneness
You can use frying times as a guide, but an instant read meat thermometer is the only way to be sure when your chicken tenders are fully cooked. To get a correct reading, put the probe into the thickest part of the tender. Chicken is safe to eat once it reaches 165°F internally. They can be taken out earlier if they reach 165° in less than 6 minutes. For safety and the best texture, always trust the thermometer to tell you how long to fry something.
Factors That Impact Chicken Tender Fry Times
Frying chicken tenders of varying sizes? Here are some factors that can increase or decrease the frying time:
Thicker tenders – Will take longer to cook through fully. Add 1-2 minutes to the frying time.
Larger tenders – Also require additional frying time. An extra 2-3 minutes should do.
Buttermilk soak – Buttermilk has a tenderizing effect that can slightly shorten fry time. Reduce time by 30-60 seconds.
Double dredging – Double dredging in flour/batter adds extra coating that needs time to crisp up, Add 1-2 minutes
Frozen tenders – Take significantly longer. Add 3-5 minutes to account for frozen interior.
Overcrowded fryer – Too many tenders lower oil temp and increase cook time. Fry in smaller batches.
Cooling oil – If oil temp drops below 350°F, frying time needs to be extended. Reheat oil between batches.
Tips for the Best Homemade Deep Fried Chicken Tenders
Follow these tips for replicating the crispy-juicy chicken tender perfection of your favorite restaurants:
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Use buttermilk: Soaking tenders in buttermilk before breading enhances juiciness.
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Double dredge: Dredge tenders in flour, dip in buttermilk, then dredge again for extra crispy coating.
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Flavorful breading: Season flour or breadcrumbs with garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and black pepper.
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Fry in batches: Avoid overcrowding the fryer to maintain oil temperature.
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Rest on rack: Drain fried tenders on a wire rack rather than paper towels to retain crispy exterior.
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Check oil temp: Use a thermometer and adjust heat so oil stays close to 350°F.
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Take tenders’ temp: Use a meat thermometer to test doneness instead of relying solely on frying time.
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Serve with sauce: Ranch, blue cheese, honey mustard, and BBQ sauce all pair deliciously with chicken tenders.
With the right frying time, temperature, and technique, you can achieve restaurant-quality deep fried chicken tenders from the comfort of your own kitchen. Just be sure to enlist some hungry family or friends to help you polish off these crispy, juicy homemade chicken tenders.
Tips for the best crispy fried chicken tenders
-Make sure your flour is well seasoned. If you aren’t confident in that area, I’ve given you measurements for salt and pepper in the recipe.
-Use a good skillet that controls heat well. Of course I’m going to recommend cast iron.
-Press the breading on your chicken tenders really firmly, then let them sit for a couple of minutes before you fry them. This makes the breading soft of gooey and it crisps up even better.
Add a skillet of cornbread and you’ll be all set! You can learn how to make cornbread here if you don’t know how or get brave and learn how to fry bone-in buttermilk fried chicken.
Fried Chicken Tenders | How to Make the Most Tender Chicken
FAQ
How many minutes to deep fry chicken tenders?
Coat chicken in flour, then eggs, and then bread crumbs, one piece at a time, and set aside. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Fry chicken in small batches until the pieces are golden brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove chicken to drain on paper towels or a wire rack. Mar 7, 2023.
How do you know when chicken tenders are done frying?
How long are you supposed to fry chicken in a deep fryer?
How long to deep fry chicken thighs? In general, it’ll take about 12-18 minutes. Checking the internal temperature is the best way to know if your chicken is done, especially if you’re new at this. 165 °F is the safe temperature for chicken thighs.
How long to deep fry chicken in 350 oil?
In a deep fryer, heat the oil to 350 degrees F. Carefully drop the chicken pieces in one at a time with tongs so as not to splash the hot oil. Fry the chicken for 12 to 15 minutes, until it is golden brown and cooked through.