Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders Recipe (Just like KFC!)
Boneless chicken tenders in a crunchy coating with the best hot sauce!
Ingredients
Brine
- 2 lbs. boneless skinless chicken tenders
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1/2 cup pickle juice
- 2 Tbsp. hot sauce
- 1 large egg
Dry Seasonings
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 4 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 2 1/2 Tbsp. garlic powder
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. chili powder
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1 tsp. paprika
Sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1 stick
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 1 Tbsp. cayenne
- 1 Tbsp. honey
- 2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
Brine the Chicken
- Combine the buttermilk, pickle juice, hot sauce and egg in a large mixing bowl. Mix well. Place chicken tenders into the brine. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
Prepare the Chicken for Frying
- Set a wire rack over a large baking sheet.
- In a shallow bowl, combine the dry seasonings. Remove the chicken from the brine and dredge it in the dry mixture. Dip the chicken back into the brine and back into the flour mixture once more. Set the chicken onto the wire rack.
- Place the chicken into the refrigerator to chill for 30 minutes.
Fry the Chicken
- Fill a heavy bottomed skillet with at least 1/2 inch of oil. Heat the oil over medium heat. Set up a clean wire rack over paper towels.
- Fry the chicken in the hot oil until golden brown on both sides, flipping as necessary. Remove cooked chicken onto a wire rack.
Make the Sauce
- Whisk all ingredients except for the butter in a large bowl. Melt the butter and pour it into the bowl. Whisk to combine. Gently coat the chicken in the sauce.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!