5best2buy
The Recipe · No.244 · Chicken Tenders

Chicken Tenders, and where to source it

Chicken Tenders — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM Chicken Tenders American 5best2buy.com

A buttermilk soak seasons and tenderizes the meat, and pressing the dredge in hard builds the craggy crust. Fry at a steady 350F so the coating browns exactly as the chicken finishes at 165F inside.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep20 min
Cook12 min
Makes4 servings
CuisineAmerican
Cost$$$
Contains  dairy · eggs · gluten
Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 4 servings
Chicken tenderloins
Real tenderloins cook fast and even; pastured chicken has firmer, more flavorful meat.
1.5 lb
Source it →
Buttermilk
Its acid tenderizes and seasons the meat while helping the flour cling.
2 cups
Source it →
All-purpose flour
Seasoned and pressed on wet so it forms the craggy crust.
2 cups
Source it →
Egg
Whisked into the buttermilk, it helps the coating grip and brown.
1
Source it →
Hot sauce
A splash in the brine seasons from the inside; serve more on the side.
2 tbsp
Source it →
Kosher salt
Season both the brine and the flour so every layer is seasoned.
to taste
Source it →
Pickle chips and slaw
Fresh pickles and a crunchy slaw on the side cut the fry; add them cold.
to serve
Local / market
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● A fair little treat
A reasonable little indulgence. · plan ahead — needs marinating, soaking, or resting time
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
Air fryer
The Method
  1. Brine the chickenSoak tenders in buttermilk, egg, hot sauce, and salt at least 30 minutes or overnight.
  2. Dredge and pressCoat in seasoned flour, pressing hard and adding a spoon of brine to the flour for craggy bits.
  3. Fry to colorFry at 350F for 4-5 minutes until deep golden and floating, working in batches.
  4. Check donenessPull at 165F internal and rest on a rack so the crust stays crisp.
The Toolkit

Cast iron skillet · Frying thermometer · Wire rack · Tongs

Straight Answers
Can you make Chicken Tenders in an air fryer? — Yes

Yes — this is exactly what an air fryer does well. Work in a single layer so the air can move, and shake or flip halfway for even crisping. It runs a touch faster than the oven, so check early.

Can you freeze Chicken Tenders? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make Chicken Tenders ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it needs the chill time to set, so making it ahead is the whole point.

Is Chicken Tenders gluten-free? — Not as written

Not as written — it contains gluten. Make it gluten-free: swap in a gluten-free flour blend (check the other labels too).

Is Chicken Tenders vegan? — No

No — it contains meat, so it isn’t vegetarian or vegan.

Community Notes

Cooked it? Changed something that worked? Leave a note for the next person — first-name basis, no account.

Loading notes…

Notes are public and posted as written. Be kind, no links. Spam and abuse get removed.

More American recipes
Patty MeltFrench DipMeatball SubItalian SubNashville Hot ChickenCarrot Cake
All American recipes →  ·  Browse all 1433 →
One list, with a link to where to buy each one.

Some ingredient and tool links are affiliate links — if you buy through one, 5best2buy may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never costs the maker anything, and it never decides who we recommend. The list is the list.
© 2026 5best2buy.com · Recipe No.244

Open data. Every maker on this site is published as a free dataset under CC BY 4.0 — use it in anything, commercial or not, as long as you credit 5best2buy. Browse the datasets →