Crispy Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauce

Ingredients

For the Chicken Tenders

  • 1 lb (450g) chicken tenders or boneless chicken breasts (cut into strips)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko for extra crunch)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for flavor)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Vegetable oil for frying

For the Dipping Sauce

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp ketchup
  • 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
  • ½ tsp chili powder or hot sauce (optional for spice)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the coating station:
    • Place flour in one shallow bowl.
    • In a second bowl, beat the eggs.
    • In a third bowl, mix breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  2. Coat the chicken:
    • Dredge chicken strips in flour, shaking off excess.
    • Dip into beaten eggs, then coat with the breadcrumb mixture.
  3. Fry the tenders:
    • Heat about 1 inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat.
    • Fry chicken strips in batches for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F / 74°C).
    • Place on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
  4. Make the dipping sauce:
    • In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, ketchup, honey, and chili powder/hot sauce until smooth.
  5. Serve:
    • Arrange chicken tenders on a platter and serve hot with dipping sauce on the side.

If you’d like, I can also give you a crispy oven-baked version so it’s healthier but still crunchy. Would you like me to include that?

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