How to fry chicken tenders on the stove with flour and breadcrumbs or tempura batter. You can make these eggfree too if you prefer. If you love Frozen Chicken Tenders in Air Fryer but want to make them homemade, we have directions.

How to Fry Chicken Tenders
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Ok so we make these all the time and changed it up year after year. Now that my girls are teens and into eating healthy they have come up with alternatives to bread crumbs that are delicious and seasonings I never would have thought about. (affiliate links present)

Can you fry chicken tenders without eggs?

Yep!! We hare How to Bread Chicken Without Eggs here with you, with a number of alternative options. From Greek yogurt to mayonnaise you should try something else at least once to see if it is tastier for your family. I will say, Best Foods is super delicious and works well for us.

Below we will explain the โ€œregularโ€ breading youโ€™d normally think about, but coated with our 3 ingredient tempura batter is beyond delicious too. As for how long to fry either, there isnโ€™t a huge difference.

How do you get breading to stick to boneless skinless chicken?

Dry the outside of the meat with paper towels! Moisture is the biggest enemy to breading meat or vegetables so just blot to absorb water or juices that may be on them. Dipping quickly to coat lightly in flour will allow wet egg or batter to stick better.

how to get breading to stick to chicken
homemade tenders

How Long to Deep Fry Tenders

To deep fry chicken tenders at 375ยฐF, you typically need to submerge them for about 4-6 minutes total. If the whole piece is covered with oil there is no need to flip it at all. Just watch for the coloring, it should be a deep golden brown. The exact time can vary based on the thickness of the tenders and whether they are raw or pre-cooked.

  1. Preheat Oil โ€“ Heat your oil to 375 degrees F in a deep fryer or a large pot.
  2. Prepare โ€“ Ensure each piece is properly coated with breading or this is How to Make Beer Batter.
  3. Fry for about 4-6 minutes or until they are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165ยฐF.
  4. Drain โ€“ Use a slotted spoon to remove the tenders and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

What is the best oil for chicken tenders?

The best oil for frying should have a high smoke point and a neutral flavor. Peanut oil is what we use for our Beer Batter Chicken Tenders typically but there are others;

Peanut Oil has a high smoke point, neutral flavor. Canola Oil has a neutral flavor, low in saturated fats. Vegetable Oil is versatile, and found most easily. Sunflower Oil is rich in vitamin E. Corn Oil isnโ€™t as common but has a light flavor that pairs well with some recipes.

chicken tenders without eggs

How to Pan Fry Breaded Chicken Tenders

Once you have them all prepared like you see here above you need to wait until the oil is hot enough. It doesnโ€™t matter whether you are making Pan Fried Chicken Legs, cutlets or thighs, never ever put meat in until it is about 360F or it will just suck it up and the coating will just start to fall off. It will become yucky.

Once everything is ready you want to carefully place into the hot oil. Fry for about 3-4 minutes per side (timing will depend on thickness) or until golden brown and juices inside run clear. Drain on paper towels to absorb excess frying liquids and serve immediately.

How to know when chicken tenders are done frying?
What is the trick to frying chicken?
Two beer battered chicken tenders frying in hot oil alongside in a red-handled pot on a light gray surface.

Is it safe to fry chicken from frozen?

No. Frozen chicken may not cook evenly, leading to some parts being overcooked while others remain undercooked. You can however Boil Frozen Chicken to shred or dip that works great. I would go with that at least until the internal temp. reaches 150F or so and then you could finish off in hot oil to crisp.

What sauce goes with fried chicken?

Golden chicken strips sizzle in the hot oil, surrounded by a flurry of bubbles as they transform into crispy perfection. Discover how to fry chicken tenders just right for that irresistible crunch with each bite.
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How to Fry Chicken Tenders

By Justine
How to fry chicken tenders without eggs, with flour and breadcrumbs and how long they take in oil to be juicy with crispy breading.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 6 minutes
Servings:

Equipment

  • 1 pan cast iron or dutch oven
  • 2 shallow bowls

Ingredients 

  • 1-2 lbs. chicken tenders
  • 1/2 c all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 egg, or brush with mayonnaise or plain Greek Yogurt instead
  • 1 c Italian breadcrumbs
  • oil
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Instructions 

  • Mix together flour, and all seasonings in a shallow dish and set aside. In another shallow bowl, beat together egg and 2 tbsp water and set aside. In a third bowl, add bread crumbs to a shallow dish and set aside.
  • Heat about 2" of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium high heat until it reaches 360 degrees F before adding meat.
  • Dredge each piece in flour mixture, coating both sides. Dip in egg, coating both sides and finally coat well in bread crumbs on both sides. Set aside on a plate until all are coated.
  • Carefully place tenders into the hot oil. Fry for about 3-4 minutes per side (timing will depend on thickness) or until golden brown and juices inside run clear. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately with french fries and ranch.

Notes

Do not add meat into oil until it reaches close to 360F so it becomes crispy and doesnโ€™t soak it up.

Nutrition

Serving: 1oz, Calories: 318kcal, Carbohydrates: 33g, Protein: 31g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.02g, Cholesterol: 114mg, Sodium: 839mg, Potassium: 527mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 152IU, Vitamin C: 2mg, Calcium: 70mg, Iron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Entree, Snack
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @thetypical_mom or tag #thetypicalmom!

About Justine

Justine is the creative mind behind The Typical Mom and The Typical Family on YouTube. She began blogging about easy recipes, budget friendly activities for kids, and fun family travel destinations in September 2012.

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