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chick fil a chicken tenders recipe

Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders Recipe

Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins
  • 1 cup dill pickle brine
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.5 tsp celery salt
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Method
 

  1. Submerge the chicken tenderloins in the pickle brine, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour.
  2. Whisk together the flour, powdered sugar, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and celery salt in a shallow bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the egg into the milk until smooth.
  3. Remove chicken from brine without patting dry. Dredge each piece in flour, dip in the milk and egg wash, then press back into the flour. Rest on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
  4. Heat 2 to 3 inches of vegetable oil in a heavy pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry tenders in batches of 3 to 4 for 4 to 5 minutes, turning once, until deep golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Return oil to 350°F between batches and rest finished tenders on a wire rack.
  5. Arrange tenders on a platter, sprinkle with salt, and serve immediately with your choice of dipping sauces.

Notes

The 40-minute prep time includes the minimum 30-minute brine soak — this is mostly hands-off time. If you want to get ahead, bread the tenders and hold them on a rack in the fridge for up to 1 hour before frying. Cold, rested breading actually sticks better than fresh-breaded chicken going straight into the oil.