Irresistibly Crispy Chicken Tenders with Fries Recipe

Crispy chicken tenders with golden, crunchy fries make a meal that sparks instant comfort and joy.

Comfort food enthusiasts will adore this classic combination of perfectly seasoned proteins and potato strips.

Warm, inviting aromas will drift through your kitchen while preparing this crowd-pleasing dish.

Delightful textures blend crisp exterior with tender meat that melts in your mouth.

Secrets to achieving restaurant-quality results involve careful marinating and precise coating techniques.

Simple ingredients come together to create a memorable meal that feels like a weekend treat.

Crispy Chicken Tenders With Fries: Why They’re A Favorite

• Boost Family Enjoyment: Perfect crowd-pleaser that gets everyone excited about mealtime with crispy, golden proteins and potatoes that kids and adults will love.
• Minimal Kitchen Hassle: Baking chicken tenders instead of deep-frying reduces messy oil splatter and makes cleanup super simple, letting you spend more time with family.
• Customize Your Plate: Easily swap breadcrumbs, add different seasonings, or serve with various dipping sauces to match everyone's taste preferences without complicated recipe changes.
• Nutritious Comfort Food: Delivers protein-packed chicken with homemade fries, offering a balanced meal that feels indulgent while providing essential nutrients for growing bodies.

Ingredients For Crispy Chicken Tenders With Fries

• Chicken Tenders: Tender strips of chicken that serve as the protein base for this crispy dish.
• Potatoes: Starchy vegetables cut into fries to accompany the chicken.

• Flour, Eggs, Bread Crumbs: A classic three-step breading process that creates a crispy, golden exterior for the chicken tenders.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor of the chicken.

• Cooking Oil: Used for frying the potato fries to achieve a crispy golden texture.
• Paper Towels: Helps drain excess oil from the fried potatoes, ensuring a less greasy final dish.

How To Make Crispy Chicken Tenders With Fries

Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Space

Turn on the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup and perfect crispiness.

Step 2: Season Chicken Tenders

Sprinkle chicken tenders generously with salt and black pepper, ensuring each piece gets flavorful coverage.

Step 3: Create Crispy Coating Station

• All-purpose flour
• Beaten eggs
• Breadcrumbs

Dip each chicken tender first in flour, then egg, and finally coat completely with breadcrumbs.

Step 4: Arrange Chicken for Baking

Place breaded chicken tenders on prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece for even cooking.

Step 5: Bake Chicken to Golden Perfection

Slide baking sheet into preheated oven and cook for 20-25 minutes. Flip tenders halfway through cooking to ensure both sides become wonderfully crisp and golden brown.

Step 6: Prepare Homemade Potato Fries

Wash and peel potatoes, then cut into uniform french fry shapes for consistent cooking.

Step 7: Fry Potato Strips

Heat cooking oil in a deep pan over medium-high heat. Carefully add potato strips in small batches, frying until they turn beautiful golden brown, approximately 4-5 minutes per batch.

Step 8: Drain and Finish Fries

Remove fries using a slotted spoon and place on paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil and maintain crispiness.

Step 9: Serve and Enjoy

Arrange crispy chicken tenders alongside golden fries on a serving platter. Add your favorite dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or ketchup for extra deliciousness.

Helpful Tips For Crispy Chicken Tenders With Fries

• Use a wire rack on the baking sheet for extra crispiness on chicken tenders, allowing air circulation and preventing soggy bottoms.
• Pat chicken tenders dry before seasoning to help bread crumbs stick better and achieve maximum crunchiness.
• For gluten-free option, replace wheat flour and bread crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free bread crumbs.
• Double-coat chicken tenders by repeating egg and bread crumb steps for an extra thick, crunchy exterior.
• Soak cut potatoes in cold water for 30 minutes before frying to remove excess starch and create crispier french fries.

Creative Twists For Crispy Chicken Tenders With Fries

• Spicy Chili Chicken Tenders: Add cayenne pepper and hot sauce to the bread crumbs for a fiery kick.
• Mediterranean Herb Tenders: Mix dried oregano, basil, and thyme into the bread crumb coating for a Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Parmesan Crusted Tenders: Blend grated parmesan cheese with bread crumbs for a cheesy, crispy exterior.
• Coconut Crunch Tenders: Replace standard bread crumbs with toasted coconut flakes for a tropical crunch.

Great Pairings For Crispy Chicken Tenders With Fries

• Dip into Classic Ranch Pairing: Cool, creamy ranch dressing perfectly complements the crispy chicken tenders, cutting through the richness with its tangy flavor and providing a smooth counterpoint to the crunchy breading.
• Refresh with Crisp Pilsner Beer: A light, cold pilsner beer balances the fried chicken's heaviness, its hoppy notes and carbonation cleansing the palate and enhancing the meal's overall enjoyment.
• Match with Zesty Honey Mustard Sauce: Bright, sweet-tangy honey mustard brings out the golden-brown chicken's flavor, adding a vibrant kick that elevates the entire dish's taste profile.

Easy Storage For Crispy Chicken Tenders With Fries

• Place cooled chicken tenders and fries in separate airtight containers, keeping them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap chicken tenders and fries individually in plastic wrap, then store in freezer-safe bags for maximum 2 months.
• Spread chicken tenders and fries on a baking sheet, heat at 375F for 10-15 minutes, turning halfway to restore crispiness.
• Warm chicken tenders and fries at 375F for 3-4 minutes, ensuring they regain their original crunchy texture without drying out.

Crispy Chicken Tenders With Fries Q And A

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken tenders?

Yes, you can slice chicken breasts into tender-sized pieces for this recipe. Just ensure they are evenly cut and cook at the same thickness for consistent crispiness.

• How do I make the breading extra crispy?

Use panko breadcrumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs. They provide a crunchier texture and create a more golden, crisp coating when baked.

• What are the best dipping sauces for these chicken tenders?

Ranch, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, and buffalo sauce are classic and delicious options that complement the crispy chicken perfectly.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Substitute regular flour with gluten-free flour and use gluten-free breadcrumbs to create a celiac-friendly version of this dish.

Crispy Chicken Tenders with Fries Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 40-45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crispy Chicken Tenders with Fries blend golden, crunchy perfection with irresistible seasoned potato strips. Homemade comfort rushes straight from kitchen to plate, promising delightful flavors you cannot resist.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 lb (454 grams) chicken tenders

Coating Ingredients:

• 1 cup (120 grams) flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup (100 grams) bread crumbs

Seasoning and Cooking:

• 1 lb (454 grams) potatoes
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Cooking oil (for frying)

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Instructions

1. Prepare oven at 400F (200C) for optimal cooking temperature.
2. Apply a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper across chicken tenders for initial seasoning.
3. Create a three-stage coating process: first dust tenders with flour, then submerge in whisked eggs, and finally roll thoroughly in bread crumbs for maximum crispiness.
4. Arrange breaded tenders on a clean baking sheet, ensuring even spacing for uniform cooking.
5. Bake chicken tenders for 20-25 minutes, rotating midway to guarantee golden-brown exterior and fully cooked interior.
6. During chicken cooking, transform potatoes into rustic fries by peeling and cutting into uniform strips.
7. Heat cooking oil in a deep pan to medium-high temperature for efficient frying.
8. Carefully lower potato strips into hot oil, frying in small batches to maintain oil temperature and achieve crisp, golden exterior.
9. Transfer freshly fried potatoes onto paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil and maintain crispness.
10. Plate crispy chicken tenders alongside golden fries, accompanied by preferred dipping sauces for enhanced flavor experience.

Notes

• Replace bread crumbs with crushed cornflakes or gluten-free alternatives for a crunchy texture that works for different dietary needs.
• Pat chicken tenders completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum crispiness and better breading adherence.
• Use a wire rack on the baking sheet for extra air circulation, creating an evenly crisp exterior without soggy bottoms.
• Consider adding herbs like dried thyme or paprika to the flour coating for enhanced flavor complexity without overwhelming the chicken’s natural taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 550 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 40 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg