Crispy Chicken Tenders with Spicy Dipping Sauce
Golden, crunchy chicken tenders seasoned to perfection and served with a bold and spicy dipping sauce. These homemade tenders are kid-friendly, crowd-pleasing, and perfect for any occasion.
- Author: Mariem
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
- 1 lb chicken tenders or boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- For the Spicy Dipping Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp sriracha or hot sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- In a bowl, combine chicken, buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for more flavor).
- Set up a dredging station: one bowl with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs.
- Remove chicken from marinade. Dredge each piece in flour, then dip in egg, and coat in panko.
- Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken tenders in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 4–5 minutes per side.
- Drain on paper towels and season lightly with salt.
- For the dipping sauce, mix mayonnaise, sriracha, honey, lemon juice, and salt in a small bowl until smooth.
- Serve chicken tenders hot with spicy dipping sauce on the side.
Notes
- For a healthier version, bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20–25 minutes or use an air fryer.
- Adjust heat level of the dipping sauce to your preference.
- Panko adds extra crunch—don’t skip it!
- Leftover tenders can be reheated in the oven to maintain crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 tenders + 2 tbsp sauce
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 710mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: crispy chicken tenders, spicy dipping sauce, homemade chicken fingers, fried chicken, sriracha sauce