Crispy Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauce!

Crispy Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

Chicken Tenders

• 1½ lb chicken tenders (or sliced chicken breasts)

• 1 cup buttermilk

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• ½ tsp paprika

• ½ tsp garlic powder

Breading

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp onion powder

• ½ tsp cayenne (optional)

• Salt & pepper to taste

For frying (or baking/air-frying)

• Vegetable or canola oil

Instructions

1. Marinate
Mix buttermilk, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Add chicken and marinate 30 minutes (or up to overnight for max juiciness).

2. Bread the chicken
In one bowl: flour.
In another: seasoned panko mix.
Remove chicken from buttermilk, dredge in flour, dip back lightly in buttermilk, then coat in panko. Press gently so it sticks.

3. Cook

• Fry: Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.

• Bake: 425°F (220°C) for 18–22 minutes, flipping once. Spray lightly with oil.

• Air Fry: 400°F (205°C) for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.

Dipping Sauces (pick your favorite)

Classic Honey Mustard

• ¼ cup mayo

• 2 tbsp honey

• 2 tbsp yellow or Dijon mustard

• Splash of lemon juice

Creamy Ranch

• ½ cup mayo

• ¼ cup sour cream or buttermilk

• 1 tsp dried dill

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• Salt & pepper

Spicy Garlic Sauce

• ½ cup mayo

• 1–2 tbsp hot sauce

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp honey or sugar