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kfc chicken tenders recipe

KFC Chicken Tenders Recipe

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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs chicken tenderloins
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp paprika
  • 1.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 1.5 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp celery salt
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 0.5 tsp white pepper
  • 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Neutral oil for frying

Method
 

  1. Whisk together the buttermilk, egg, 0.5 tsp garlic powder, and a pinch of salt. Submerge the chicken tenderloins, cover, and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
  2. Combine the flour, paprika, remaining 1 tsp garlic powder, onion powder, celery salt, oregano, black pepper, white pepper, cayenne, and salt in a wide shallow bowl and stir well.
  3. Lift each tender from the soak, let the excess drip off, and press firmly into the seasoned flour twice. Rest the dredged tenders on a wire rack for 5 minutes.
  4. Heat 2 inches of neutral oil in a heavy pan to 350°F (175°C). Fry in batches of 4 to 5 for 3 to 4 minutes per side until deep golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Return the oil to 350°F (175°C) between batches.
  5. Transfer the cooked tenders to a wire rack for 2 minutes, then pile onto a serving plate with a squeeze of lemon.

Notes

You can mix the seasoned flour up to 2 weeks ahead and keep it in a sealed container. The buttermilk soak can also go up to 4 hours in the fridge if you want to prep in the morning and fry at dinner. If you're frying for a crowd, keep finished batches warm in a 200°F (95°C) oven on a wire rack while the rest cook.