Yep, that was this writers reaction, too. You learn something new every day, and today it was found that chicken tenders, a delicious dish straight from heaven, were created in New Hampshire. Or as we like to call them, chicken tendies.
You know em. You love em. If youre an adult, you may have been tempted to order a basket of tenders from the kids menu when out to eat. Heck, maybe you did, in which case we respect it.
According to USA Today, chicken tenders first came to be at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester, New Hampshire. The Epicentre goes on to say that some people don’t believe the restaurant invented the famous dish in 1974, even though the restaurant says it did. Its possible that although the Puritan Backroom may have been where the term was coined, other restaurants may have already been serving chicken tenders under a different name.
Whatever the case, if you want to check out what could likely be the birthplace of the chicken tender, the Puritan Backroom offers an assortment of tendies like regular, buffalo, coconut, spicy, and broiled. Besides chicken dishes, the restaurant also has burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, pizza, and more. You can look at their menu here.
For now, here are some other places in New Hampshire where you can enjoy some pretty great chicken tendies:
Chicken tenders have become a staple food across America. Their convenience versatility and downright deliciousness have made them a go-to option for people of all ages. But who exactly invented this popular finger food? The origins of the chicken tender may surprise you.
A Revolutionary Snack is Born
It was at the Puritan Backroom restaurant in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 1974 that the chicken tender was first made. The restaurant’s owner, Charlie Pappas, is said to have come up with chicken tenders.
The story goes that Pappas was cleaning chickens one day when he realized there was usable breast meat left on the tenderloins after the breasts were removed. He trimmed this leftover meat and experimented with breading and frying it into tasty morsels. After perfecting his recipe, Pappas added the chicken tenders to the Puritan Backroom menu under the name “Chicken Fingers.” They were an instant hit.
Pappas had found a clever way to use an overlooked cut of chicken to make a new dish and cut down on food waste. People liked his new snack, and chicken tenders were on their way to becoming a popular snack in the United States.
Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery
It didn’t take long for the delicious concept to catch on. Within a few years, variations of chicken tenders were popping up on menus across the country. By the 1980s, they had become a staple menu item at most fast food chains.
Restaurants put their own spin on Pappas’ original idea, tweaking the seasoning, breading and dipping sauces. Menu offerings ranged from classic breaded tenders to more elevated versions like Parmesan-crusted chicken tenders served over pasta. No matter how they were served, people couldn’t get enough of these tasty morsels.
The popularity of chicken tenders surged as they became a standard menu component in fast casual dining and delivery. Their convenience and versatility made them an easy choice for families and individuals looking for a quick meal on the go.
Chicken tender production scaled rapidly to meet demand. Food manufacturers mass produced frozen chicken tenders coated in breadcrumbs and seasoning that restaurants could simply reheat and serve. Chicken tenders became a multi-million dollar market unto itself.
Though imitated by many, Pappas’ original recipe and the name “Chicken Fingers” remain popular at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester. The local favorite has now been serving its iconic chicken tenders for over 45 years and counting.
Regional Twists Cause Culinary Debate
While the Puritan Backroom’s status as the original inventor of chicken tenders is widely accepted, some other restaurants in the south have challenged this notion.
People who support it say that there were seasonal shops in Savannah, Georgia and Baton Rouge, Louisiana that sold breaded chicken strips before the Puritan Backroom. However, these narratives appear unsubstantiated.
The consensus among food historians and chefs seems to agree that Pappas and the Puritan Backroom were the true pioneers. Though similar dishes may have existed previously on a small scale, Pappas is credited with popularizing chicken tenders on a broad commercial level.
One regional variation that has muddied the waters is the beloved “Manchester chicken tender.” Marinated in duck sauce, this local twist was likely derived from Pappas’ original recipe. The marinated tender has become synonymous with Manchester, but some see it as a separate interpretation rather than the original.
Debates around origin stories often happen when a food evolves and spreads regionally over time. Regardless of minor discrepancies, the Chicken Finger’s introduction at the Puritan Backroom in 1974 stands as the pivotal moment that catalyzed our nation’s chicken tender obsession.
An Unlikely Culinary Legacy
Charlie Pappas passed away in 2008, but his legacy lives on in every basket of chicken tenders served today. Thanks to Pappas’ innovation, an unlikely cut of meat has become a staple of the American diet.
Chicken tenders were more versatile and could be sold to a lot of people than Pappas ever imagined in 1974. But his simple idea to cut down on waste and add a new item to the menu changed the world of food.
In 2023, the city of Manchester, NH officially trademarked its status as the Chicken Tender Capital of the World. They even erected a commemorative statue of Charlie Pappas honoring his role in creating this quintessential American snack.
Next time you enjoy a serving of hot, juicy chicken tenders, take a moment to appreciate the ingenuity of Charlie Pappas. His small-town idea ended up having an outsized impact on our national appetite.
These Are the Best Places to Get Chicken Tenders in New HampshireYeah, we know a thing or two about chicken tenders in New Hampshire! They were invented in our fine state after all! Here are some the best places to get this delicious crowd pleasing comfort food in the Granite State.
Gallery Credit: Kira Lew
And of course, whats a basket of chicken tenders without fries?
Your Picks For the Best French Fries in New Hampshire
Gallery Credit: Ginny Rogers
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FAQ
Where did chicken tenders originate?
Chicken tenders, as a specific dish with that name, are generally credited to The Puritan Backroom in Manchester, New Hampshire. They are said to have first served them in 1974, using the term “chicken tenders” to describe the dish, according to The Puritan Backroom.
Did NH invent chicken tenders?
Fifty years ago, the breaded, fried chicken tender as we know it was invented in Manchester, N.H.
Did Puritan Backroom invented chicken tenders?
In 1974, their children built a room behind the candy store to house a restaurant. That same year, Charlie Pappas salvaged chicken pieces that had been trimmed from larger cuts, marinating and frying them to create chicken tenders.
Who invented the chicken nuggets?
Robert Carl Baker (December 29, 1921 – March 13, 2006) was an American inventor and Cornell University professor. He invented the chicken nugget as well as many other poultry-related inventions.