Popeyes Chicken Tenders

No longer do you need to visit Popeyes to enjoy their delicious chicken tenders. Now, you can relish the amazing flavors of Popeyes Chicken Tenders at home. It’s a truly unique recipe that takes you on cloud nine. Let’s learn how Popeyes serves its chicken tenders. 

How To Make Popeyes Chicken Tenders At Home

Popeyes Chicken tenders are juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside. This makes them the perfect evening snack for you to munch. We have a detailed recipe for you to make it all by yourself.

Therefore, to learn more, check out the article written below. It covers the whole process including equipment, nutritional values, and tips. Enjoy your reading time!

Is This The Exact Popeyes Chicken Tenders Recipe?

Yes, our recipe is exactly like how Popeyes makes their chicken tenders. Chef Jasbir makes sure to follow the whole recipe so as to come up with perfectly crispy chicken tenders, just like Popeyes. 

This helps match our expectations in terms of taste and textures. Our chef ensures that he doesn’t miss out on any information mentioned in Popeye’s recipe.

Delicious Chicken Tenders From Vegan

How Is Popeyes Chicken Tenders Different From Regular Chicken Tenders?

Popeyes Chicken Tenders are slightly different from regular chicken tenders. Popeyes prepares its breading for these chicken tenders with buttermilk, all-purpose flour, eggs, hot sauce, and some spices, including paprika, salt, and chipotle chili powder.

Meanwhile, regular chicken tenders typically include breadcrumbs, flour, baking powder, and salt in their breading. The ingredients used for breading set them apart from each other. Even though this is a small change, it makes a world of difference.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Tender Recipe?

There are a lot of reasons to love these wonderful Popeyes Chicken Tenders. Just dig into the details cited below, and you’ll get to know why you’ll fall in love with these chicken tenders. 

  • Crispiness – Every bite of these delicious chicken tenders will make you fall in love with them because of their crispy and crumbly texture. Don’t miss out on this delicious treat!
  • Tender And Juicy Chicken – Popeyes Chicken Tenders are so succulent that you will not be able to resist them. These chicken tenders are sure to tantalize your taste buds! Despite their crispy exterior, they are bursting with succulent, juicy flavor on the inside.
  • Best With Dipping Sauce – Popeyes often serves their chicken tenders with a variety of dipping sauces. It adds an extra layer of flavor, enhancing the overall taste.

Are These Chicken Tenders Gluten-Free?

The delectable Popeyes Chicken Tenders are not suitable for gluten-free use. The recipe incorporates all-purpose flour, which is a gluten-containing ingredient. 

However, substituting all-purpose flour with oat flour can make this dish gluten-free. 

Equipment Required For Popeyes Chicken Tenders

  • Knife – You will need a knife to cut the chicken breast into pieces.
  • Casserole – Add flour to the casserole dish.
  • Bowl – You will need two bowls. Small bowl to beat egg and a large to add buttermilk.
  • Wok – Add oil to the wok to fry the chicken.

Can You Use An Air Fryer To Make This Recipe?

Yes, you can use an air fryer to make these Popeyes Chicken Tenders. When you use an air fryer, you can cook food with less oil than if you were to fry it in a traditional frying pan. 

This can be a healthier option that still produces deliciously crispy results. 

Ingredient

Popeyes Chicken Tenders Ingredients

  • Chicken Breasts – Take two pounds of boneless chicken breasts and slice them into strips to make these chicken tenders. 
  • Hot Sauce – To bring out spicy and zesty flavors in the chicken tenders, add hot sauce to the marinade. 
  • Buttermilk – Buttermilk will help the chicken to become tender; therefore, it is the best choice for marination. 
  • Peanut oil – For frying the chicken tenders, use peanut oil. 
  • All-Purpose Flour – For coating the chicken strips use all-purpose flour. It helps to add a crispier texture to the chicken.
  • Smoked Paprika – Add a pinch of smoked paprika to the dry mix for coating; it gives a smoky flavor to the chicken tenders.
  • Kosher Salt – Kosher salt has a pure, clean taste. Add it according to your taste preferences.
  • Chipotle Chile Powder – Chipotle chili powder brings out mild spiciness in these chicken tenders.
  • Eggs – Use eggs to marinate the chicken tenders. It helps in maintaining the moisture content.

Popeyes Chicken Tenders Ingredients Substitutions

  • Mexican Hot Sauce – If you don’t have regular hot sauce, simply replace it with Mexican hot sauce. It’ll be one of the closest substitutes for it. 
  • Sour Cream – Sour cream is the simplest and the easiest replacement for buttermilk. The acidity of sour cream helps tenderize the chicken.
  • Canola Oil – If you don’t prefer using peanut oil, simply go with canola oil instead. It is also a healthier alternative for frying these chicken tenders. 
  • Salt – If you cannot find kosher salt, you can simply use regular salt. As it’s easily available in the kitchen. 
Chicken Tenders From Popeyes Recipe

Popeyes Chicken Tenders Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time Resting TimeCooking Time Total Time
5 Minutes 30 Minutes 15 Minutes 50 Minutes

How Long Does Popeyes Marinate Their Chicken?

Popeyes prefers marinating their chicken tenders for 12 long hours in Louisiana spices, which have a lot of flavors. 

You must be wondering why you need to marinate the chicken tenders for this long. But Popeyes Chicken Tenders are delicious only because of this long duration of marinating, so the spices are infused properly.

Popeyes Chicken Tenders Recipe Steps

Popeyes Chicken Tenders Step 1

Step 1- Take a bowl of chicken and a small bowl of buttermilk.


Popeyes Chicken Tenders Step 2

Step 2- Soak the bits of chicken in buttermilk and pour hot sauce in it.


Popeyes Chicken Tenders Step 3

Step 3- Keep the chicken mix aside.


Popeyes Chicken Tenders Step 4

Step 4- Take a casserole and add all-purpose flour to it.


Popeyes Chicken Tenders Step 5

Step 5- Add chipotle Chile powder to all-purpose flour.


Popeyes Chicken Tenders Step 6

Step 6- Take an empty bowl and add egg to it.


Popeyes Chicken Tenders Step 7

Step 7- Marinate the chicken with the flour mix and egg.


Popeyes Chicken Tenders Step 8

Step 8- Grill the marinated chicken for a few minutes.


Popeyes Chicken Tenders Step 9

Step 9- Take a wok filled with peanut oil and let it heat.


Popeyes Chicken Tenders Step 10

Step 10- Add the bits of chicken for frying.


Popeyes Chicken Tenders Step 11

Step 11- Wait until the chicken gets golden brown and crispy.


How To Make Popeyes Chicken Tenders At Home

Step 12- Your crispy Popeyes Chicken Tender is ready.

How Will These Chicken Tenders Look & Taste Like?

Popeyes Chicken Tenders is a satisfying and comforting side dish with a savory taste profile along with a creamy texture. The dish is filled with rich, spicy, and buttery flavors that will leave you drooling. 

Additionally, these deeply fried chicken tenders have a golden-brown color with a crumbly texture that looks scrumptious. It serves the purpose of a happy snack. 

Why Doesn’t Your Breading Stick To Chicken Tenders Properly?

There could be several reasons why your breading is falling off the chicken. It’s important to identify the causes to prevent this from happening.

  • Not Flouring The Chicken – If you don’t use flour for coating, then there’s a possibility that the breading may not stick properly. Ensure that you dredge the chicken in flour as it makes an additional layer for breading to stick to. 
  • Using Too Much Breading – Your breading can fall off if used too much of it as the chicken becomes heavy. So make sure to shake off the excess breading from the chicken.

Why Aren’t Your Chicken Tenders Crispy Like Popeyes?

You are probably making some mistakes due to which your chicken tenders do not end up with a crispy texture like Popeyes. Hence, to know the cause dig into the information below:

  • Not Properly Coated – If the chicken tenders are not coated properly, they may not be as crispier as Popeyes. Ensure to layer these chicken tenders properly with the breading for nice, crunchy bites. Also, don’t miss out on eggs and flour mixture for coating.
  • Temperature Is Too High – Too high temperature makes your chicken tenders scorched. To give the same crispiness as Popeyes, make sure to cook them at a low temperature.
Homemade Chicken Tenders From Popeyes

Popeyes Chicken Tenders Nutritional Values

Popeyes Chicken Tenders are deeply fried, making them higher in calories and fat. Hence, it’s not possible to have them daily, but you can have them occasionally. Here is a table with detailed nutritional values for this dish:

Calories 413 kcal 
Dietary Fiber 2 g
Carbohydrates 21 g
Fat 20 g
Protein 37 g
Sodium 1653 mg
Cholesterol 107 mg

Tips To Make It More Healthy

Are you ready for excellent ways to make these amazing Popeyes Chicken Tenders healthy? Let’s delve into the ways you can make them healthy. 

  • Choose Roasted Instead of Fried Chicken – Frying leads to the consumption of oil, which is not good for health. So, instead of frying, I prefer roasting the chicken. As roasting is better, it eliminates the added fat.
  • Season With Herbs And Spices – Herbs and spices are an excellent source of antioxidants. Some superb options are paprika, onion powder, or garlic powder. Adding is one of the best ways to make these chicken tenders healthier. 
  • Serve With Vegetables – To increase the nutritional value of these chicken tenders, serve them with vegetables. Some of the top-notch choices are green beans or mashed potatoes. It’ll add more fiber and vitamins to your meal. 

Can You Make This Chicken Tenders Ahead Of Time?

Yes, you can make Popeyes Chicken Tenders ahead of time. It’ll serve you a lot of benefits when made in advance. Let’s learn about the advantages that you are gonna get. 

  • Saves Time – Let’s say there’s a hectic day coming in a few days. Don’t you think it’ll be easier for you to spend the day without stressing out about your meal? Simply make these Popeyes Chicken Tenders ahead of time to avoid chaos. 
  • Marinating Time – If you prepare these chicken tenders before time, you’ll amazed to know how they are going to result. Allowing the chicken tenders to marinate for a longer time enhances the flavors. 
  • Improved Meal Planning – As part of a larger meal-preparation strategy, preparing Popeyes Chicken Tenders in advance can help you plan meals more efficiently, manage portion sizes, and choose healthier options.

How Can You Store This Recipe?

No need to waste the leftovers; instead, you can store them for a few days. If you want to know how to store them, just look below:

  • Refrigerate – Refrigerate these Popeyes Chicken Tenders at 40 F or less. Ensure to transfer them to an airtight container and then store them in the fridge. Refrigerating these chicken tenders doesn’t stop the bacterial growth but slows it down. It’ll last for up to three to four days. 
  • Freezer – If you want to increase the shelf life of these chicken tenders, simply freeze them. Freezing is the best way to increase the shelf life. However, there’s a possibility that they may lose their crunch after thawing. To preserve the texture, spread the chicken pieces on a baking paper-lined tray for freezing.

What To Serve With Popeyes Chicken Tenders?

Popeyes Chicken Tenders can be served with so many other dishes. Some of the best options are mentioned below:

  • Gordon Ramsay Mashed Potatoes – Popeyes Chicken Tenders are best when served with mashed potatoes. You are gonna relish the savory flavors of the combo. Mashed potatoes accompany these chicken tenders beautifully. 
  • Bobby Flay Coleslaw – Who doesn’t like coleslaw, right? Now imagine if you club these chicken tenders with coleslaw. Let me tell you, peeps, this duo serves the best flavors and tastes. 
  • Chef John Buttermilk Biscuits – How about pairing these chicken tenders with buttermilk biscuits? You will love how amazing this fusion tastes. Biscuits are best to add a crunch to your meal. 
  • Gordon Ramsay Mac And Cheese – Creamy mac and cheese is a great side dish to add with these delectable Popeyes Chicken Tenders. You’ll relish an amazing combination of cheesy and crispiness. 

Popeyes Chicken Tenders Printable Version

Popeyes Chicken Tenders Recipe

Popeyes Chicken Tenders are crispy, spicy, and flavorful. Marinating the chicken with buttermilk and hot sauce brings out fabulous flavors. Coating with dry rubs will result in a colorful and spicy layer.
4.60 from 10 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course copycat
Cuisine American
Servings 3
Calories 413 kcal

Equipment

  • Knife
  • Casserole
  • Bowl
  • Wok

Ingredients
  

  • Chicken Breasts
  • Hot Sauce
  • Buttermilk
  • Peanut oil
  • All-Purpose Flour
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Kosher Salt
  • Chipotle Chile Powder
  • Eggs

Instructions
 

  • Take a bowl of chicken and a small bowl of buttermilk.
  • Soak the bits of chicken in buttermilk and pour hot sauce in it.
  • Keep the chicken mix aside.
  • Take a casserole and add all-purpose flour to it.
  • Add chipotle Chile powder to all-purpose flour.
  • Take an empty bowl and add egg to it.
  • Marinate the chicken with the flour mix and egg.
  • Grill the marinated chicken for a few minutes.
  • Take a wok filled with peanut oil and let it heat.
  • Add the bits of chicken for frying.
  • Wait until the chicken gets golden brown and crispy.
  • Your crispy Popeyes Chicken Tender is ready.

Nutrition

Calories: 413kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 20g | Cholesterol: 107mg | Sodium: 1653mg | Fiber: 2g
Keyword chicken tenders, Popeyes, Popeyes chicken tenders
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How Are Popeyes Chicken Tenders Made?

Popeyes chicken tenders are marinated, coated, and deep-fried. The chicken is marinated in buttermilk and hot sauce. For coating, the dry mix works really well. 

What Is Popeyes Breading Made Of?

Popeyes breading is prepared by mixing all-purpose flour with dry rubs like salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. 

How Does Popeyes Fry The Chicken?

Popeyes uses an air fryer to fry the chicken tenders. They fry the batches of tenders to avoid any fuss.

Is Popeyes Or KFC Better?

Both Popeyes and KFC are great fast-food giants known for their best chicken. However, KFC wins the biscuit battle, and Popeyes takes the crown for the rest. 

Conclusion

Let’s wrap it up now! The articles provide you with the related specifics and particulars of the recipe. Ensure to follow every tip and trick properly so that you can get exact textures and flavors. 

For more chef-delight recipes, click on the further links. Crispy Popeyes Fried Chicken Recipe, Popeyes Coleslaw Copycat Recipe (Photos + Video), Hearty Popeyes Mardi Gras Mustard Sauce Copycat Recipe, Popeyes Mashed Potatoes, How To Make Popeyes Cajun French Fries At Home, How To Make Popeyes Chicken Sandwich At Home.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating