Description
Craving Chick-Fil-A on a Sunday? This copycat recipe brings those irresistible chicken tenders to your kitchen—juicy, crispy, and packed with that signature flavor! A quick pickle brine and seasoned flour coating give you that authentic crunch and bold taste you love. Perfect for weeknight dinners, game day bites, or just satisfying a fast food craving—no drive-thru needed.
Ingredients
2 lb boneless chicken tenders
1 cup dill pickle juice
1 large egg
1 cup milk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1 teaspoon paprika
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon salt
¼ cup peanut oil or canola oil (for frying)
Instructions
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Marinate for Flavor: In a bowl, combine the chicken tenders and pickle juice. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to overnight for maximum flavor.
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Egg Wash Prep: Drain the pickle juice from the chicken. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. Add the chicken to this mixture and let it sit while preparing the breading.
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Make the Breading: In a large ziplock bag, combine the flour, powdered sugar, paprika, cayenne, black pepper, and salt. Seal the bag and shake to mix thoroughly.
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Coat the Chicken: Remove each tender from the egg mixture and place it into the flour bag. Seal and shake until all tenders are evenly coated.
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Heat the Oil: Pour oil into a skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add chicken tenders in batches. Fry each batch for 3 to 5 minutes or until golden brown and fully cooked through.
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Drain and Serve: Transfer the tenders to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve hot with dipping sauces like honey mustard, BBQ, or Chick-Fil-A sauce.
Notes
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Brining Time: The longer the chicken marinates in the pickle juice, the more flavorful and tender it becomes.
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Oil Tip: Peanut oil is preferred for a more authentic flavor, but canola oil works well too.
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Spice Adjustment: Reduce or increase the cayenne to control the heat level.
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Serving Ideas: Serve with waffle fries, a side salad, or in a sandwich with a buttered bun and pickles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Fried
- Cuisine: American