Buffalo Chicken Tenders (+3 Cooking Options!)

Take your tenders to a whole new level with these spicy and juicy Buffalo Chicken Tenders, with options for baking, air-frying, and deep frying for a perfect crunch!

One of the most common fast foods in all of the U-S-A is chicken, whether it’s chicken wings, fried chicken, or chicken sandwiches. Chicken is a beloved food for many. Making it at home can be a struggle, especially when you want a crisp outer crust and tender middle. Create the perfect crispy chicken at home with these Buffalo Chicken Tenders, with three cooking options that suit anyone!

Why Make Tenders at Home?

It is so easy to open your phone and place a food order. Ordering takeout has become so easy that we often forget just how easy it is to make some beloved dishes right from home. Not only that, but homemade food is healthier because you can control how much oil, salt, and sugar goes into your food. Not only that; you can season your food based on your own preferences!

Sure, it takes a little effort and some grocery shopping to cook from home. But the end result is worth it! Hand-breaded chicken tenders get all sorts of crispy nooks and crannies when cooking. This leads to an insanely satisfying crunch once cooked! After you cook these Buffalo Chicken Tenders once, you will make them time and time again!

What is Buffalo Sauce?

You may have had buffalo sauce, but do you know exactly what’s in it? Buffalo sauce usually consists of two ingredients; hot sauce and butter. Usually the hot sauce is prepared, but many people also make their own. Making your own hot sauce is not required for this recipe.

Instead, choose a type of hot sauce that is your favorite. The grocery store has hundreds of varieties these days, so try a few and pick out your favorite! They can range from very mild to very hot, depending on your spice tolerance. The hot sauce recommended in this recipe is just a guide, feel free to use your favorite.

Next, your favorite hot sauce is mixed with melted butter. This is what turns hot sauce into buffalo sauce. The fatty butter creates an almost creamy consistency that one expects when eating spicy chicken. Do not skip on the butter!

Ingredients in Buffalo Chicken Tenders

To easily create the most delicious chicken you’ve ever made, you will need these simple ingredients:

• 1½ pounds chicken tenderloins
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup flour (all-purpose or gluten-free)
• ¾ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• ½ cup coarse cornmeal
• Olive oil cooking spray (if air frying or baking)
• ½ cup peanut or canola oil (if deep frying)
• 1 cup prepared buffalo sauce, such as Frank’s
• ½ stick butter, melted

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Tenders

1. Begin by seasoning the chicken. Add the tenderloins to a bowl along with the buttermilk, cayenne, and salt. Toss to coat the chicken well and distribute the seasonings throughout. Set in the fridge to marinate for at least 30 minutes, at most overnight.

2. When ready to cook, remove the chicken from the marinade. Do not discard the marinade. Add the flour to a shallow bowl. Also add the breadcrumbs and cornmeal into another bowl. Mix.

3. Dip each tender into the flour, then back into the marinade mixture, then into the breadcrumb mixture.

4. Place each breaded tender onto a plate and repeat with the rest of the chicken.

If Air-Frying:

5. Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F. Once hot, add your buffalo chicken tenders in a single layer. Spray them liberally with cooking spray. You may need to make them in 2-3 batches. 

6. Cook for 8-10 minutes until crispy on the first side. Flip and continue cooking for another 5-6 minutes until cooked through and crispy.

If Baking:

7. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a wire rack. Spray with cooking spray.
8. Add the breaded chicken to the wire rack in a single layer. 
9. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the top is crisp. Flip and cook for another 6-8 minutes. Remove from the oven when the chicken is cooked all the way through and crispy.

If Deep-Frying:

10. Preheat your oil to 350 degrees F. Add the oil to a heavy-bottomed, high-sided skillet. This is technically called “shallow-frying”.
11. Add the tenders 5-6 at a time to not overcrowd the pan. Cook 3-4 minutes per side, turning once or twice to cook evenly. Once cooked all the way through and crispy, remove to a paper towel-lined plate.

Saucing:

12. No matter how you cook your tender, saucing is the same. In a large bowl, add the buffalo sauce and melted butter. Whisk to combine.

13. Add your crispy tenders to the bowl. Toss with a spoon or tongs to evenly coat the chicken in sauce.

14. Remove to a plate. Serve with celery sticks, ranch, or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

Notes/Tips/Troubleshooting:

Air-frying is the easiest and least-messy option for cooking chicken tenders. The constant circulation of heat creates a very crispy outside and ultra-tender middle.

Use your favorite buffalo sauce for your tenders. Frank’s Red Hot Buffalo was used in the development of this recipe.

Buttermilk greatly tenderizes the meat when marinating. If you do not have buttermilk, equal amounts of Greek yogurt will work, too.

Storage: Once totally cooled, store in an air-tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat using the oven or air fryer for maximum crispiness.

FAQ

Related Recipes

• Cauliflower Buffalo Bites
• Coconut Chicken Tenders

PrintLinks on this page may be affiliate links, for which the site earns a small commission, but the price for you is the same