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
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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Transfer fried chicken tenders to a wire cooling rack positioned over a baking sheet, allowing excess oil to drain and maintaining the crispy texture.
- 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