Craving a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal that’s both easy to make and utterly delicious? Look no further than Pioneer Woman Chicken Tenders. This recipe elevates the humble chicken strip to gourmet status, ensuring juicy, tender meat encased in an irresistibly crispy coating. Perfect for a family dinner or a fun appetizer, these chicken tenders are guaranteed to become a new staple in your kitchen. The secret lies in the buttermilk soak and a clever flour mixture technique that delivers maximum crunch every time.
Close-up of crispy Pioneer Woman Chicken Tenders
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Chicken Tenders
Before you start creating these amazing chicken tenders, gather your ingredients. This recipe is straightforward, using common pantry staples, but the quality of ingredients will shine through in the final dish.
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenders (or chicken breasts, cut into strips)
- 1 cup buttermilk, plus more for drizzling
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2-3 teaspoons Lawry’s seasoned salt (or your favorite seasoning salt)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Canola or vegetable oil, for frying
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Chicken Strips laid out on a kitchen counter
Step-by-Step Directions for Crispy Chicken Tenders
Follow these simple directions to achieve perfectly crispy and juicy Pioneer Woman chicken tenders every time. Preparation is key, and each step contributes to the final texture and flavor.
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Prepare the Chicken: Begin by seasoning your chicken tenders generously with salt and pepper. Don’t be shy with the seasoning – this is your base flavor!
Seasoning chicken tenders with salt and pepper before marinating -
Buttermilk Soak: Place the seasoned chicken in a large zip-top bag. Pour in 1 cup of buttermilk, ensuring all chicken pieces are submerged. Seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or even overnight for extra tender chicken. The buttermilk tenderizes the chicken and adds a subtle tang.
Chicken tenders marinating in buttermilk in a ziplock bag -
Prepare for Frying: When you’re ready to cook, heat a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Pour in canola or vegetable oil to a depth of about 1 inch. You want enough oil for shallow frying, ensuring even cooking and crispiness.
Heating oil in a cast iron skillet on the stovetop -
Seasoned Flour Mixture: In a bowl or shallow dish, combine the flour and Lawry’s seasoning salt. For an extra kick, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or other favorite spices. Stir well to combine. This seasoned flour is the foundation of your crispy coating.
Mixing flour and seasoning salt in a shallow dish -
The Buttermilk Crumble: This is the secret to extra crispy chicken! Slowly drizzle about 1/3 cup of buttermilk into the flour mixture while mixing with a fork. You want to create crumbles and clumps of buttermilk-flour mixture. These little bits will create that signature crispy texture when fried.
Creating buttermilk crumbles in the flour mixture for extra crispy coating -
Coat the Chicken: Remove chicken tenders from the buttermilk marinade, letting excess buttermilk drip off. Dredge each chicken tender in the flour mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Shake off any excess flour to prevent clumping in the oil.
Dredging buttermilk marinated chicken tenders in seasoned flour mixture
Close up of chicken tender fully coated in seasoned flour mixture -
Fry to Golden Perfection: Test if the oil is ready by placing the end of a wooden spoon in the pan; if small bubbles form around it, the oil is hot enough. Carefully place the coated chicken tenders in the hot oil, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown, crispy, and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Frying coated chicken tenders in hot oil in a skillet
Close up of golden brown and crispy chicken tenders frying in oil -
Drain and Serve: Remove the cooked chicken tenders from the skillet and place them on paper towels or brown paper bags to drain excess oil. Lightly sprinkle with salt while still hot to enhance the flavor.
Draining fried chicken tenders on paper towels
Serving Suggestions for Pioneer Woman Chicken Tenders
Serve these Pioneer Woman chicken tenders immediately while they are hot and at their crispiest. They are fantastic with classic dipping sauces like honey mustard or ketchup. For a truly grown-up and delicious pairing, try them with a homemade buttermilk ranch dressing, just like Pioneer Woman suggests. A simple salad or some french fries on the side completes this satisfying meal.
Plated Pioneer Woman Chicken Tenders served with buttermilk ranch dressing
Enjoy these incredibly crispy and flavorful Pioneer Woman chicken tenders – a comfort food that’s perfect for everyone!
