Spicy Chicken Tenders (Popeye's Style)

Golden brown & juicy chicken tenders at home.

2 servings

Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Ethan ChlebowskiBy Ethan Chlebowski
Photography by Ethan Chlebowski

These tenders are juicy, crispy and delicious. The taste and texture of these are better than Popeye’s. I brined mine overnight, but you could leave them for an hour and they would still be delicious.

Ethan Chlebowski

Ethan Chlebowski

CREATOR

Ingredients

  • Chicken & marinade

    • chicken tenderloins
      6500 g / 1 lb
    • milk
      100 g
    • sour cream
      50 g
    • hot sauce
    • salt
      a sprinkle
  • Breading mix

    • flour
      100 g
    • cornstarch
      30 g
    • salt
      10 g
    • cayenne pepper
      a sprinkle
    • smoked paprika
      a sprinkle
    • garlic powder
      a sprinkle
    • msg
      a sprinkle
  • For serving

    • ranch
    • hot sauce
    • pickled onions
    • pickles

Method

Step 1: Heat oil & marinate chicken

Add milk, sour cream, salt and hot sauce to a bowl and stir until combined. Add the chicken tenders and let them while you prepare the dredge (or optionally for an hour or up to overnight).

Add a neutral cooking oil to a deep pot or wok and heat to 350°F/175°C.

Step 2: Dredge the chicken

Meanwhile, to a second bowl, add the flour, cornstarch, salt, and spices.

Drip some of the chicken marinade into the dredge and mix up this will make some tiny clumps adding additional crunch to the chicken when fried.

Take the tenders out of the marinade and put them into the breading. Make sure to coat them thoroughly so you get lots of nice crunchy bits when fried.

Step 3: Dredge & fry the tenders

When the oil is hot, you are ready to .

Shake off excess dredge from each tender, then place the chicken into the oil and let it fry for 5-7 minutes while stirring or agitating the oil to promote even frying. Take the chicken out of the oil when they are golden brown or it reaches an internal temp of 160°F/71°C.

  • Don’t overcrowd the frying oil. If needed, do this in two or three batches.

Step 4: Serve & enjoy

Serve with spicy ranch (hot sauce and ranch mixed together), pickled onions, or any dipping sauces of your choosing. Enjoy!

LET'S COOK!

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