Make the best homemade Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauce! Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and paired with creamy honey mustard and tangy BBQ dips. Perfect for parties, snacks, or family dinners easy, quick, and delicious.
Crispy Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauce Golden, Crunchy, and Irresistible
Nothing beats the satisfying crunch of homemade chicken tenders — juicy on the inside, golden and crispy on the outside, and bursting with flavor. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner, game night, or a weekend treat, these tenders are guaranteed to please both kids and adults alike.
Paired with your favorite dipping sauces like honey mustard, ranch, or BBQ, this recipe delivers that perfect balance of savory, crispy, and creamy in every bite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Crispy perfection: Double-coated for a crunchy, golden crust.
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Tender and juicy inside: The buttermilk marinade keeps the chicken moist.
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Family favorite: Great for kids, picnics, and party platters.
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Customizable: Choose from baked, fried, or air-fried versions.
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Easy to make ahead: Perfect for meal prep and freezing.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Tenders:
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1 ½ pounds (700g) chicken tenders or boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips
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1 cup buttermilk
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1 teaspoon onion powder
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1 teaspoon paprika
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½ teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional, for a little kick)
For the Coating:
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1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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1 teaspoon paprika
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1 teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
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2 large eggs, beaten
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1 ½ cups breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
For Frying:
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Vegetable or canola oil (enough for deep or shallow frying)
For the Dipping Sauce (3 Popular Options)
1. Honey Mustard Sauce:
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¼ cup mayonnaise
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2 tablespoons honey
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1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
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½ teaspoon lemon juice
2. Spicy BBQ Sauce:
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¼ cup BBQ sauce
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1 tablespoon hot sauce
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1 teaspoon brown sugar
3. Creamy Garlic Ranch Dip:
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¼ cup sour cream
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2 tablespoons mayonnaise
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½ teaspoon garlic powder
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½ teaspoon dried dill
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Salt and pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Directions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and hot sauce. Add the chicken strips and toss until coated.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (up to 8 hours). The buttermilk tenderizes the chicken and adds flavor, ensuring juicy, flavorful tenders once cooked.
Step 2: Prepare the Coating
In a shallow bowl, combine flour, baking powder, paprika, salt, and cayenne pepper. In another bowl, whisk the eggs. In a third bowl, place the breadcrumbs.
Set up your dredging station — flour → eggs → breadcrumbs — to keep the process smooth.
Step 3: Coat the Chicken Tenders
Remove the marinated chicken from the fridge. Shake off excess marinade, then dredge each strip in flour, dip it in beaten egg, and finally coat with breadcrumbs.
For extra crunch, double coat the tenders by dipping them again in egg and breadcrumbs.
Place coated tenders on a tray and let them rest for 10 minutes. This helps the coating stick firmly during frying or baking.
Step 4: Fry, Bake, or Air-Fry
You can cook these tenders three ways depending on your preference.
Frying (Classic and Crispiest)
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Heat oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C).
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Carefully add a few tenders at a time, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
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Fry each side for 3–4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
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Remove and drain on paper towels.
Baking (Healthier Option)
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Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly brush with oil.
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Arrange the tenders in a single layer.
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Bake for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown.
Air-Frying (Crispy & Low-Oil)
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Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
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Lightly spray the basket with oil.
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Place chicken tenders in a single layer.
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Cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crisp and cooked inside.
Step 5: Make the Dipping Sauces
While the tenders cook, prepare your sauces:
Honey Mustard: Mix mayonnaise, honey, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice until smooth.
BBQ Sauce: Whisk BBQ sauce, hot sauce, and brown sugar until combined.
Ranch Dip: Stir together sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, dill, salt, and pepper.
Refrigerate until serving for best flavor.
Step 6: Serve & Enjoy
Serve the hot, crispy chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauces on the side. Add fries, coleslaw, or a fresh green salad for a complete meal.
Pro Tips for the Perfect Chicken Tenders
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Don’t skip the buttermilk marinade — it breaks down muscle fibers for tender, juicy chicken.
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Use panko breadcrumbs for a lighter, extra-crispy texture.
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Let the coating set before frying to prevent it from falling off.
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Maintain oil temperature: Too low = greasy tenders; too high = burnt coating.
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Double coating gives the crunchiest results.
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Drain properly: Always place fried chicken on a rack, not just paper towels, to keep it crisp.
Variations
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Parmesan Chicken Tenders: Add ½ cup grated Parmesan to the breadcrumb mix.
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Spicy Buffalo Tenders: Toss cooked tenders in buffalo sauce for a fiery twist.
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Asian Style: Add soy sauce and ginger to the marinade and serve with sweet chili sauce.
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Gluten-Free: Use almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs.
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Herb Crusted: Add chopped parsley, thyme, and basil to the breadcrumb mix for aromatic flavor.
What to Serve With Chicken Tenders
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French fries or potato wedges
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Macaroni and cheese
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Mashed potatoes with gravy
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Fresh coleslaw
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Steamed vegetables or a light salad
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Cornbread or garlic toast
Storing & Reheating
Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat:
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Oven: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes until crispy.
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Air Fryer: Heat at 375°F (190°C) for 5 minutes.
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Avoid microwaving as it makes the coating soggy.
Freeze:
You can freeze uncooked, coated tenders on a tray. Once frozen solid, transfer them to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Fry or bake directly from frozen — just add a few extra minutes of cooking time.
Nutrition Information (Per Serving)
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Calories: 420
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Protein: 31g
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Carbs: 25g
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Fat: 18g
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Sodium: 650mg
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Fiber: 2g
(Values may vary based on cooking method and dipping sauce.)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders?
Yes, slice chicken breasts into 1-inch strips to make homemade tenders.
Q2: Can I skip the buttermilk?
If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Q3: Are these tenders kid-friendly?
Absolutely! Skip the chili or hot sauce if making for children.
Q4: Can I use an air fryer instead of deep frying?
Yes — air-fried tenders are healthier and still very crispy.
Q5: What’s the best dipping sauce?
Honey mustard is classic, but BBQ and ranch are crowd favorites. Try all three for variety!
End Thoughts
These Crispy Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauce are the ultimate comfort food flavorful, crunchy, and fun to eat. Whether fried, baked, or air-fried, they come out golden brown and perfectly seasoned every time.
Serve them hot with a trio of dipping sauces sweet honey mustard, smoky BBQ, and creamy ranch — and watch them disappear fast!
Homemade chicken tenders beat fast food any day. They’re fresher, crispier, and completely customizable. Perfect for game nights, lunch boxes, parties, or simple family dinners, this recipe is one you’ll make again and again.
So grab your ingredients, heat up your oil, and treat yourself to a platter of crispy, juicy, and absolutely delicious chicken tenders today.
