KFC Crispy Chicken Tenders Copycat Recipe

Name: KFC Crispy Chicken Tenders Copycat Recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 60 min
Ingredients: 4 boneless skinless Chicken Breasts (each cut into 4 long strips); 2 Cups Flour; 2 Cups Water; 1 Cup Buttermilk; 1 Teaspoon Hot Sauce; ⅛ Teaspoon Garlic Powder; ⅛ Teaspoon Paprika; ¾ Teaspoon Black Pepper; 2½ Teaspoons Salt; ⅛ Teaspoon Baking Powder; ½ Cup Canola Oil (for frying)

Recipe Pin

It’s difficult to resist a bucket full of KFC Chicken Tenders, but constantly visiting the restaurant can get expensive. Therefore, I replicated the KFC Crispy Chicken Tenders recipe for us.

Confession: I had been on a mission to find the best KFC chicken tenders recipe, and this recipe has proven to be the one. It provides the same juicy, crispy, and flavorful experience as KFC chicken tenders.

After trying this recipe myself, I discovered that the secret lies in the buttermilk marinade, which makes these KFC Chicken Tenders tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.

You can dip these tenders in any of your favorite sauces. I usually have them with honey mustard, ranch, or BBQ sauce.

What's In The Post

Equipments Required

3 Large Bowls: You’ll need three bowls for preparing this recipe.
Skillet or Wok: A skillet or wok is required to fry your tenders and make them crisp.
Paper Towels: Paper towels will help you drain excess oil from the fried chicken tenders.
Whisk: Whisk the ingredients together to make the coating for the tenders.
Knife: A knife will be required to cut the chicken breasts into strips.
Skillet: Fry the chicken in an iron cast skillet or any other frying pan.

KFC Crispy Chicken Tenders Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: This recipe for KFC crispy chicken tenders serves 2 people. You can increase or decrease the quantities of ingredients according to the size of the gathering.

4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (each cut into 4 long strips)
2 Cups Flour: This recipe is prepared using all-purpose flour. You can also use wheat flour or almond flour.
2 Cups Water
1 Cup Buttermilk: If you don’t have buttermilk at home, you can make it by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to a cup of milk.
1 Teaspoon Hot Sauce: If you are out of hot sauce, I replace it with Tabasco.
⅛ Teaspoon Garlic Powder: If you can’t find garlic powder, you can use fresh garlic paste in its place.
⅛ Teaspoon Paprika
¾ Teaspoon Black Pepper
2½ Teaspoons Salt
⅛ Teaspoon Baking Powder
½ Cup Canola Oil (for frying): If you are out of canola or vegetable oil, you can also use olive oil.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
40 Minutes	20 Minutes	1 Hour

How To Make KFC Crispy Chicken Tenders At Home

Step 1

Marinate the chicken strips by pouring buttermilk over them.

Step 2

Next, add hot sauce to the bowl.

Step 3

Allow the chicken strips to marinate for 30 minutes.

Step 4

To prepare the batter for coating the chicken strips, gather flour, paprika, black pepper, and salt.

Step 5

Now add the baking powder and garlic powder, and stir to combine.

Step 6

Now, coat the chicken strips in the seasoned flour, then dip them in egg and coat them with seasoned flour once again.

Step 7

Remove the excess flour.

Step 8

Then heat canola oil in a wok to 350℉ and fry the chicken tenders in a single layer until golden and crispy. It will ensure the chicken pieces don’t stick together. Moreover, frying chicken in batches helps maintain a stable oil temperature.

Step 9

Your KFC-style Chicken Tenders are ready.

KFC Crispy Chicken Tenders Recipe Video

Expert Tips That I Recommend

Don’t Skip On Buttermilk – I think I’ve already mentioned it a lot of times before, and I am gonna mention it again. The secret to making the best KFC chicken tenders lies in marinating them in buttermilk, which tenderizes and enhances their flavor. In fact, if you can’t find buttermilk, it’s best to make it at home.
Proper Coating – After marination, coat the chicken well, as the crispy, crunchy texture of tenders depends entirely on it.
Properly Drain The Oil – After frying the tenders, Jasbir always recommends removing excess oil by placing them on a paper towel or a wire rack. It will ensure you remove any excess oil.
Place the tenders in the oven – Chicken tenders are best enjoyed piping hot out of the oven. However, if you plan to eat them a little later, as I do, you can place them in a warm oven, just like KFC does. It will ensure they stay hot and crispy.

FAQs About KFC Crispy Chicken Tenders Recipe

Can you make chicken tenders from other parts of the chicken instead of the breast?

No, it is not recommended to use any other part of the chicken for making tenders. This is because the texture of the meat differs from one part of the body to another. The best way to prepare chicken tenders is to use tenderloins, which are thin pieces of muscle attached to the underside of the breast meat, or to slice chicken breasts.

Can you make KFC chicken tenders without buttermilk?

Yes, you can make KFC chicken tenders without buttermilk. However, you will find a major difference in its texture, as buttermilk is the secret ingredient for making tender and juicy chicken. It helps tenderize the meat and adds a tangy flavor to the dish. Moreover, it helps seal the moisture of the chicken, preventing it from drying out during cooking.

Can you make KFC chicken tenders in the oven?

Yes, you can make KFC chicken tenders in the oven by baking them for about 20 minutes in a preheated oven at 400F/200C. However, the final product will differ from the original recipe as the success of Southern fried chicken lies in its thick and crunchy coating that is deep fried. Whereas, using a thick coating for baking can result in dry chicken due to overcooking.

Why are your chicken tenders oily or greasy?

Chicken tenders can become oily due to several reasons. For example, a lower oil temperature causes the tenders to absorb more oil. Likewise, poor quality or reused oil results in greasy chicken. Additionally, improper or excessive breading leads to more oil absorption. Lastly, improper oil draining after frying can lead to excess oil retention.

Why are your chicken tenders tough?

If you have ever experienced tough and chewy chicken tenders, it’s probably because the meat wasn’t tenderized correctly before cooking. To avoid this, you should ensure that the chicken is marinated properly, as this helps to break down the protein and make it soft and juicy. Also, use good quality chicken and make sure it is not overcooked or undercooked.

How to tell if chicken tenders are cooked properly?

You can tell chicken tenders are cooked properly when they achieve a golden brown appearance and have reached an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You can check the internal temperature by using a meat thermometer.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Chicken tenders make for a healthy meal. We can say so by looking at the nutritional information in the table mentioned above.

Calories	485 kcal
Carbohydrates	93 g
Protein	20 g
Fat	7 g
Saturated Fat	3 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	2 g
Monounsaturated Fat	1 g
Cholesterol	13 mg
Sodium	3117 mg
Potassium	614 mg
Fiber	13 g
Sugar	6 g
Vitamin A	226 IU
Vitamin C	2 mg
Calcium	232 mg
Iron	5mg

These chicken tenders contain moderate amounts of calories and fat and are also rich in protein. So, I suggest you have these tenders in moderate quantity.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Gluten-Free: You can replace the flour with potato starch, cornstarch, or tapioca starch/flour. Surprisingly, I found no difference in taste or texture when using these substitutes.
Keto-Friendly: If you are following a keto diet, simply replace all-purpose flour with almond flour.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

All you have to do is wrap leftover chicken tenders in foil or place them in an airtight container once they reach room temperature. Then, place them in the coolest part of the refrigerator.

By storing the chicken tenders as I mentioned, you can extend their shelf life by 3-4 days.

Reheating KFC Chicken Tenders In An Air Fryer

Using an air fryer to reheat this recipe will retain the crispiness of these chicken tenders on the outside and the moisture on the inside. Therefore, I recommend using this method to reheat.

All you need to do is place the tenders in the air fryer for 5-10 minutes at 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Reheating KFC Chicken Tenders In The Oven

You can also use an oven to reheat these chicken tenders, as it distributes heat evenly. Moreover, hot air helps create a crunchy texture. Place the tenders in a preheated oven for 10 minutes at 350-375 degrees Fahrenheit, until heated through.

I’m sure you’re wondering why I haven’t mentioned reheating the tenders in the microwave. That’s because there’s poor air circulation in the microwave. Thus, the tenders will turn dry and rubbery when reheated in the microwave. Moreover, the coating will become soggy.

Lastly, between cooking a fresh batch of chicken tenders and reheating them, make sure the tenders are not left out for more than an hour at any time, as meat spoils quickly. If you observe a change in appearance or odor, discard the leftovers.

What To Serve With This Recipe

Mac and Cheese – Chicken tenders and mac and cheese are a match made in heaven. That’s because the creamy, cheesy mac complements the savory, crunchy flavor and texture of the chicken tenders.
Green Beans – Enjoy a full Southern experience by pairing the tenders with smoky, savory green beans.
Coleslaw – A creamy, refreshing coleslaw helps cut through the chicken’s greasiness.
Caprese Salad – Never underestimate the power of a refreshing salad. The light, savory flavors of the Caprese salad will complement the tenders, making for a well-balanced meal.
Mashed Potatoes – Creamy mashed potatoes provide the right textural contrast with crispy tenders. If you haven’t tried this combination yet, it’s time to do so.
Honey Mustard Sauce – Rich and creamy, it makes for the perfect dipping accompaniment.
Ranch Dressing – If you prefer light, refreshing dipping sauces on the side, then ranch dressing is a must-try with chicken tenders.
BBQ Sauce – To elevate the flavor of your chicken tenders, use homemade or store-bought BBQ sauce for smoky goodness.

Printable Version

Other KFC’s Recipes That We Covered

Homemade KFC Secret Sauce — KFC Pepper Mayonnaise

Conclusion

I hope you are happy to find out about KFC’s copycat crispy chicken tenders recipe. Now’s your chance to give it a try and enjoy its delectable flavors from the comfort of your home.

However, before you get started, I would like to tell you that there are numerous other recipes waiting to be discovered on our website.

They have been curated, tested, and tried in-house by our chef, just like this one. So, do go through our website and make the most of it. Happy cooking!

Cat MacKenzie

October 19, 2022 at 9:35 pm

I just made it. Especially as we are 25kms away from any fast food.
It worked a treat, but I reckon next time I will triple the amount of spice, and make it more ”zinger” like.
But all in all, the boys loved it. Thank you

Colleen McGinty

November 20, 2024 at 8:06 am

What is the water for?

Chef Jasbir
February 26, 2026 at 11:55 am
Water used to clean the chicken tenders otherwise it is no where added in the recipe process.