Spicy Chicken Tenders

These Spicy Chicken Tenders bring a little Southern kick to the table! Made with tender, juicy chicken and a flavorful blend of seasonings, they fry up golden and crispy with just the right amount of heat. They’re easy to make, downright delicious, and perfect for game day, a casual family supper, or anytime you’re craving a little homemade comfort with a spicy twist. Serve them up with your favorite dipping sauce and watch them disappear!

Easy Spicy Chicken Tenders Recipe

Around these parts, fried chicken is more than just supper, it’s a Southern tradition! From Sunday dinner at Grandma’s to a casual weeknight meal, there’s always room at the table for a platter of crispy, golden chicken. These spicy chicken tenders are a fun way to put a little twist on that beloved classic.

Serve them hot with creamy coleslaw, Southern potato salad, baked beans, or a pan of homemade mac and cheese. They’re just as welcome piled onto a game day platter with an assortment of dipping sauces as they are tucked into a biscuit or slider roll for a crunchy chicken sandwich. However you serve them, they’re sure to bring a little Southern goodness to the table!

Key ingredients you’ll need to make Spicy Chicken Tenders: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

Chicken – Boneless chicken tenders cook quickly and juicy.
Marinade – Buttermilk, hot sauce and kosher salt or sea salt.
Flour – All purpose flour forms the base of the seasoned flour mixture.
Spices – Seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, black pepper, cayenne, ground cumin.
Oil – Peanut oil or vegetable oil for frying.

ingredients-to-make-spicy-chicken-tenders

How to Make Spicy Chicken Tenders Recipe

Make the Marinade – Whisk together buttermilk, hot sauce and kosher salt.*You can use a large Ziploc bag for easy clean-up. Add the chicken tenders to the bowl and stir to coat, refrigerate.
Prepare the Flour Mixture – Whisk flour, seasoned salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper and cumin.
Make Egg Wash – In a separate shallow bowl whisk together 1 cup buttermilk, egg and 1 teaspoon hot sauce.
Coat Chicken – Remove chicken tenders from the marinade, roll in the flour mixture, into egg wash and back into flour mixture for the last time.
Chill to Set Breading – Transfer to a sheet pan fitted with a wire rack. Chill uncovered for 1 hour to set the breading.
Fry Chicken – Heat the oil to 350°-360°F then cook the chicken tenders in batches until golden brown and cooked through. Adjust the cooking time according to size.
Drain Grease – Remove to a paper towel lined platter or tray to drain. Season immediately with additional seasoned salt.
Serve – Serve with your favorite dipping sauces, on rolls with dill pickles and mayonnaise, on salads or wraps.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Spicy Chicken Tenders

Dutch oven or deep pot. A small saucepan won’t work here.
Fry thermometer. Important for monitoring the temperature of the oil.
Two shallow bowls.
Whisk.
Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
Stainless steel spider.
Baking sheet pan fitted with wire rack.
Platter lined with paper towels.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

Chicken – You can make your own chicken tenders using boneless skinless chicken breasts if your local grocery store doesn’t stock them. Depending the size of the chicken pieces, cut lengthwise into two or three pieces then proceed with the recipe.
Spice – If you would like a milder version, simply decrease the amount of hot sauce and cayenne pepper.
Oil – Preferably in peanut oil but canola oil or vegetable oil will work. Skip the olive oil for this recipe.
Monitor the Oil Temperature – Heat the oil on medium-high heat then adjust while your frying the chicken as needed. If the oil temp drops too low, the chicken will absorb more oil. If the oil is too hot, the chicken will brown more quickly potentially not cooking the chicken properly.
Chilling Allows the Breading to Set – After breading, if you’ll take the time to pop them into the fridge to rest for an hour or so it will allow the breading to cling more evenly to the chicken pieces.
Serving Options – Serve this recipe on its own or make it a hot sandwich with dinner rolls or kaiser rolls, add to a crisp salad, make wraps or serve as an appetizer with variety of dipping sauces.

Storage and Leftovers

Leftovers – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating – Reheat gently in the microwave or in an air fryer until crisped and heated through. You can also reheat on a sheet pan in a preheated 350 degree f oven for around 8 minutes flipping once.
Freezer – You can freeze this recipe in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving, air fryer at half the temperature for approximately 4minutes per side.•

More Easy Chicken Recipes to Make

My oven fried Oven Fried Chicken Tenders.
Skip the drive thru and make your own Crispy Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich.
Do you love buttermilk fried chicken nuggets? Try my recipe for Easy Popcorn Chicken.
For a lighter version of fried chicken try my recipe for Air Fryer Southern Fried Chicken.
Crispy Oven Fried Parmesan Chicken is a fan favorite perfect for Italian night at home.
Nashville Hot Chicken Strips will bring the heat to meal time.
Skip the drive thru and make Crispy Chicken Sandwiches even better at home.
Bring the heat to meal time with these Nashville Hot Chicken Strips.
Chicken Taco Skewers from Food Network.

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