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Home » Dinner » Homemade Chicken Fingers

November 19, 2019 By Sara 35 Comments

Homemade Chicken Fingers

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Homemade chicken fingers marinated in buttermilk, then fried to crispy golden brown. The ultimate chicken tenders that are even better than what you’d get at a restaurant.

When I’m stumped on what to make for dinner, I always turn to these crispy chicken tenders because I know they’ll be a hit! I serve my chicken fingers with roasted broccoli and mashed potatoes for a complete meal.

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Chicken fingers on a serving plate with a side of ranch.

There’s just something about fried chicken that can’t be beat – that ultra crispy coating with tender juicy chicken is a classic for a reason! I’ve learned to make restaurant style chicken fingers at home, and they’re actually quite easy to prepare.

How do you make chicken fingers?

The first step in this recipe is to marinate the chicken in buttermilk. This tenderizes the chicken and helps the seasoned flour stick to the chicken. The chicken fingers get dipped into the flour mixture, then egg, then the flour again to create an extra thick and crispy exterior.

The final step is to fry your chicken tenders until they’re golden brown. Add your favorite dipping sauce on the side, then enjoy!

Chicken tenders in a bowl of buttermilk.

What are chicken breast tenders?

This recipe calls for chicken breast tenders, also called chicken breast tenderloins. The tender is a flap of meat that sits directly under the main part of the chicken breast. These pieces of chicken are often more tender than standard chicken breast, hence their name. If you can’t find chicken tenders, this recipe will work just as well with strips of boneless skinless chicken breast.

Breaded chicken fingers ready to go into the fryer.

Tips for chicken fingers

  • You’ll want to use a deep frying thermometer to monitor the temperature of your oil. If the oil is too hot, the coating can burn before the chicken cooks through. If the oil is too cold, the chicken will absorb more oil and become overly greasy.
  • Chicken fingers are best served immediately. If you need to reheat them, you can bake them at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes or until crispy.
  • I typically serve my chicken tenders with ranch. Other great options are ketchup or honey mustard.

Crispy chicken tenders on a sheet pan.

Baked chicken fingers

If you prefer to bake your chicken fingers, you can do so by using breadcrumbs as the coating instead of flour. You’ll want to combine 2 cups of panko breadcrumbs with the spices listed in the recipe. Coat each piece of chicken in egg, then roll in the breadcrumb mixture. Place the chicken pieces on a greased sheet pan and coat them with cooking spray. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes or until tenders are golden brown.

A chicken finger being dipped into ranch sauce.

These chicken tenders are some of the best I’ve ever had. They make a great kid friendly dinner, or serve them up as a hearty appetizer on game day. Once you try making these tenders for yourself, you won’t be tempted to order them at a restaurant again!

More chicken recipes you’ll love

  • Bacon Ranch Chicken Foil Packets
  • Chicken Taco Soup
  • Bruschetta Chicken
  • Grilled Chicken Tenders
  • Monterey Chicken
Chicken fingers on a serving plate with a side of ranch.
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5 from 17 votes

Chicken Fingers

Homemade chicken fingers marinated in buttermilk with a super crispy breaded exterior. The ultimate chicken tenders!
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Keyword chicken fingers, chicken tenders
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 375kcal
Author Sara Welch

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds chicken breast tenders
  • 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
  • 3 eggs beaten
  • 1 3/4 cups flour
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
  • vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

  • Place the chicken breast tenders and buttermilk in a large bowl. Stir to combine.
  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
  • Place the eggs in a medium sized bowl. Place the flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic, onion and baking powder in a second bowl.
  • Stir the flour and spices together until well combined.
  • Take each piece of chicken out of the buttermilk mixture. One at a time, coat the chicken in the flour, then dip in the egg, then coat again in the flour. Repeat until all chicken pieces are coated.
  • Heat 3 inches of oil in a large deep pot to 350 degrees F.
  • Cook 4-5 pieces of chicken at a time for 6-8 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Drain on paper towels, then serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 375kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 185mg | Sodium: 642mg | Potassium: 718mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 305IU | Vitamin C: 1.8mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 2.6mg

This post was originally published on April 26, 2015 and was updated on November 19, 2019 with new content.

Filed Under: Dinner, Quick & Easy Dinners Tagged With: Chicken, Chicken Fingers

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Comments

  1. Tim Surdyk says

    January 14, 2021 at 12:27 pm

    Made this with my students. Melt in your mouth chicken. We also made homemade blue cheese dressing and homemade honey mustard. Holy Cow! All tasted delicious. Keeper recipe. Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Katherine Zapora says

    February 16, 2020 at 2:58 pm

    These chicken fingers are so good!! Amazing actually! Crispy crunchy and moist inside.

    Reply
  3. Ann says

    February 12, 2020 at 12:45 pm

    5 stars
    My son said these are the best chicken tenders he has ever had. I am his hero. Thank you for the yummy recipe.

    Reply
  4. Alyssa says

    December 29, 2019 at 5:04 pm

    5 stars
    Okay, I had no buttermilk, I used regular milk and lime juice instead. I also baked them. BUT OMG they are sooooooooooooo good.

    Reply
    • Ann says

      February 25, 2020 at 8:14 am

      What temp and how long did you bake them

      Reply
  5. Debra says

    December 26, 2019 at 8:33 am

    Your food look so Yummy can’t wait to try it.😊

    Reply
  6. Danielle says

    November 22, 2019 at 5:36 pm

    5 stars
    I completely forgot I haven’t had chicken fingers for quite a long time now. Your recipe looks absolutely stunning – I should definitely keep it on hand these holidays!

    Reply
  7. Jessica says

    November 22, 2019 at 5:25 pm

    5 stars
    Oho! So classic 😉 Gotta love finger food dinners with the fam – It’s the best!

    Reply
  8. Tristin Rieken says

    November 22, 2019 at 4:51 pm

    5 stars
    Yum!! These are SO crispy! I love them dipped in spicy honey and even my pickiest , ‘dino-nugget-only’ child wolfs them down. Thank you!

    Reply
  9. Haley D. Williams says

    November 22, 2019 at 4:39 pm

    5 stars
    Definitely bringing back childhood memories and I’m here for it!

    Reply
  10. Jamie says

    November 22, 2019 at 4:19 pm

    5 stars
    I made this last night and everyone loved them especially the crispy coating!

    Reply
  11. Maria says

    January 29, 2019 at 11:13 am

    5 stars
    Thank You so Much CHEESY BAKED CHICKEN fingers is my favorite dish looking yummy will try today with your instructions

    Reply
  12. Terry says

    September 12, 2018 at 11:21 pm

    5 stars
    This is so lovely delicious and i will make it on weekend, Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  13. MARRY says

    September 12, 2018 at 11:18 pm

    5 stars
    Wow !! This is so yummy, It looks amazingly delicious , I love this recipe and Thanks for sharing the great idea.

    Reply
  14. Jane says

    July 16, 2018 at 2:34 am

    5 stars
    This looks yummy. Thanks for your nice recipe. I will try this at weekend to see how it is.

    Reply
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With 3 young kids, dinner can feel like feeding time at the zoo! I'm a mom on a mission to create easy, healthy and family friendly recipes ...Read More
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