The Best Ranch Chicken Tenders Recipe: Crispy Outside, Juicy Inside

Ranch-infused chicken tenders represent a delightful culinary fusion that upgrades ordinary poultry into an extraordinary meal.

Seasoned with zesty ranch flavors, these golden-brown delicacies offer a tantalizing crunch that captures immediate attention.

Perfectly balanced between crispy exterior and succulent meat, the tenders elevate casual dining to a memorable experience.

Families and friends crave these irresistible morsels that blend familiar comfort with exciting taste profiles.

Each bite promises a satisfying blend of herbs, spices, and tender chicken that keeps people coming back for more.

The versatile nature of these tenders makes them ideal for multiple occasions, from casual weeknight dinners to game day gatherings.

Prepare to upgrade your meal with a crowd-pleasing dish that guarantees smiles and empty plates.

Crispy Ranch Chicken Tenders: Crunchy, Flavorful, and Irresistible

• Savor Explosive Flavor Fusion: Ranch seasoning transforms ordinary chicken tenders into a zesty, mouthwatering experience that bursts with tangy herbal notes and unexpected deliciousness.
• Achieve Restaurant-Quality Crunch: Deep-frying at precisely 375°F creates an incredibly crispy exterior that shatters beautifully with each bite, delivering professional-level texture right from your kitchen.
• Maximize Protein-Packed Meal: With 50g of protein per serving, these chicken tenders provide a substantial, satisfying meal that supports muscle development and keeps hunger at bay for hours.
• Master Simple Gourmet Technique: The buttermilk soak and seasoned flour dredging method ensures juicy, tender meat with a perfectly seasoned, golden-brown coating that looks and tastes like a culinary masterpiece.

Key Ingredients for Crispy Ranch Chicken Tenders

• Chicken Tenders: Lean, tender meat perfect for crispy coating and quick cooking.

• Flour: Creates a crispy, golden exterior for the chicken.
• Ranch Seasoning: Adds zesty, herbal flavor to the breading.
• Black Pepper: Provides a subtle heat and enhances overall seasoning.
• Dried Parsley: Adds mild herbal notes and visual appeal to the coating.

• Buttermilk, Oil: Buttermilk tenderizes chicken and helps breading stick; oil enables deep frying at high temperature.

How to Make Perfectly Crispy Ranch Chicken Tenders

Step 1: Prepare Heating Station

Heat oil in a Dutch oven or deep fryer until it reaches exactly 375°F using a kitchen thermometer.

Step 2: Marinate Chicken

Soak chicken tenders in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes to enhance tenderness and flavor.

Step 3: Create Crispy Coating

• All-purpose flour
• Ranch seasoning mix
• Ground black pepper
• Dried parsley flakes

Step 4: Coat Chicken Pieces

Dredge each buttermilk-soaked chicken tender thoroughly in seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure complete coverage. Place coated tenders on a clean wire rack.

Step 5: Verify Oil Temperature

Check oil readiness by sprinkling a pinch of flour – it should sizzle and dance immediately when added.

Step 6: Fry Chicken Tenders

Carefully lower chicken tenders into hot oil, cooking in small batches for 5-8 minutes per side until exterior turns gorgeous golden brown and interior reaches safe internal temperature.

Step 7: Drain and Serve

Transfer fried tenders to wire rack to drain excess oil. Plate with favorite dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or spicy ketchup.

Tips for Getting Your Chicken Tenders Extra Crispy

• Marinate Wisely: Let chicken soak in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes to ensure maximum tenderness and flavor infusion.
• Temperature Precision: Use a reliable candy thermometer to maintain consistent 375°F oil for perfectly crispy exterior without burning.
• Coating Technique: Press flour mixture firmly onto chicken tenders to create a thick, even crust that seals in moisture.
• Batch Frying Secret: Cook chicken in small batches to prevent oil temperature drop and maintain crispy texture for each tender.
• Draining Method: Place fried tenders on a wire rack instead of paper towels to keep breading crisp and prevent soggy bottoms.

Storing Leftover Chicken Tenders the Right Way

• Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container within two hours of cooking. Place them in a single layer to maintain crispiness and prevent soggy texture. Properly stored tenders will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing: Wrap individual tenders in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to one month. Label the bag with the date to track freshness and avoid forgotten leftovers.
• Reheating: Revive crispy texture by using an air fryer or oven. Preheat to 375°F and warm tenders for 3-5 minutes until heated through. Avoid microwave reheating, which can make the chicken soggy and tough. Enjoy your crispy ranch chicken tenders as if they were freshly made!

Pair Your Crispy Chicken Tenders with These Sauces

• Craft Zesty Ranch Dipping Companions: Whip up a creamy ranch dressing blended with fresh chives or a tangy honey mustard sauce to complement the crispy chicken tenders' ranch-seasoned coating.
• Pair with Refreshing Beverage Buddies: Crack open a cold light beer like a pilsner or a crisp hard cider that cuts through the richness of the fried chicken and cleanses the palate with its bubbly brightness.
• Balance with Crunchy Side Kick: Serve alongside a fresh coleslaw with a vinegar-based dressing or a crisp green salad to add a cool, crunchy contrast to the hot and crispy chicken tenders.
• Create Casual Comfort Plate: Add some classic french fries or sweet potato wedges to round out the meal, providing additional texture and a satisfying side that matches the casual, crowd-pleasing nature of the dish.

Fun Variations on Ranch Chicken Tenders

• Spicy Southwest Ranch Tenders: Add cayenne pepper and chili powder to the flour mixture for a bold, fiery kick that transforms the classic recipe into a zesty southwestern-style dish.
• Mediterranean Herb Chicken: Replace ranch seasoning with dried oregano, basil, and garlic powder to create a Mediterranean-inspired coating that brings fresh Mediterranean flavors to the crispy tenders.
• Parmesan Herb Crunch: Mix grated parmesan cheese into the flour mixture and add dried thyme for a cheesy, herbal coating that provides extra crunch and rich, savory notes to the chicken tenders.
• Gluten-Free Almond Coating: Substitute all-purpose flour with almond flour and gluten-free ranch seasoning for a protein-packed, crispy alternative that caters to gluten-sensitive diners.

Ranch Chicken Tenders Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Crispy Ranch Chicken Tenders bring zesty ranch flavor to classic breaded chicken. Perfectly seasoned and golden-brown, these tenders deliver a crunchy exterior with juicy meat that satisfies comfort food cravings in every delicious bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 2 pounds (907 grams) boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins

Liquid and Seasoning:

• 2 cups (473 milliliters) buttermilk
• 1 packet buttermilk ranch dressing seasoning mix

Dry Ingredients and Spices:

• 2 cups (240 grams) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley

Cooking Oil:

• Canola or peanut oil for frying

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pour buttermilk into a spacious mixing bowl and submerge chicken tenders completely, allowing them to marinate for 30-45 minutes at room temperature to enhance flavor absorption and tenderize the meat.
2. Prepare a seasoned coating by combining all-purpose flour, dried ranch seasoning mix, freshly ground black pepper, and finely chopped parsley in a shallow rectangular dish.
3. Remove chicken tenders from buttermilk, allowing excess liquid to drip off, then thoroughly coat each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure an even, adherent crust.
4. Preheat vegetable oil in a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven or deep fryer to 375°F (190°C), using a digital or candy thermometer for precise temperature monitoring.
5. Carefully lower coated chicken tenders into the hot oil, working in small batches to maintain oil temperature and prevent overcrowding, which can result in uneven cooking.
6. Fry each batch for 6-9 minutes, turning once midway, until the exterior develops a rich golden-brown color and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) when checked with a meat thermometer.
7. Transfer fried chicken tenders to a wire cooling rack positioned over a baking sheet, allowing excess oil to drain and maintaining the crispy texture.
8. Serve immediately with complementary dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or spicy aioli for a delightful culinary experience.

Notes

• Buttermilk transforms ordinary chicken into incredibly tender bites by breaking down proteins and adding subtle tangy flavor.
• Ranch seasoning blend delivers zesty, herbal punch that elevates basic breading with minimal extra effort.
• Soaking chicken creates a protective moisture barrier, ensuring juicy interior while developing crispy, golden-brown exterior.
• Resting coated tenders before frying allows breading to adhere better and prevents falling off during cooking.
• Maintaining precise oil temperature guarantees crispy, never greasy results that crunch perfectly with each bite.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 820 kcal
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 2100mg
• Fat: 40g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 80g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 50g
• Cholesterol: 180mg