Welcome to the ultimate guide for crafting incredibly delicious and perfectly crispy Buffalo Chicken Tenders right in your own kitchen! These tender, juicy chicken strips, coated in your choice of a savory homemade dry rub or zesty ranch seasoning, then generously drizzled with a fiery buffalo sauce, are an absolute game-changer. Whether you’re planning a casual weeknight dinner, hosting a game-day party, or simply craving that classic spicy-tangy flavor, this recipe is designed for ease, flavor, and maximum crispiness. Forget soggy, bland chicken; we’re diving into techniques that guarantee restaurant-quality results every single time, whether you prefer the quick convenience of an air fryer or the consistent bake of an oven. Get ready to elevate your chicken tender experience!
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Choosing the Perfect Chicken for Tenders
The foundation of exceptional Buffalo Chicken Tenders starts with selecting the right cut of chicken. While many recipes might suggest cutting chicken breasts into strips, using actual chicken tenderloins offers a distinct advantage due to their natural shape and unparalleled tenderness. Chicken tenderloins are a strip of muscle, naturally smaller and thinner than a full chicken breast, and are often considered more tender because they are a less-used muscle in the chicken. This inherent tenderness means they cook quickly and remain incredibly juicy, making them ideal for a delicious tender experience.
However, if chicken tenderloins aren’t readily available, chicken breasts are a perfectly suitable alternative. Simply slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts lengthwise into strips approximately 1-inch thick. Chicken breasts are a lean protein source, rich in vitamins, and can be just as delicious when properly prepared. The key is consistent thickness to ensure even cooking. Regardless of your choice, aim for high-quality, fresh chicken for the best flavor and texture in your homemade buffalo chicken tenders.
Mastering the Seasoning for Flavorful Chicken
The magic of truly flavorful Buffalo Chicken Tenders lies not just in the sauce, but in the seasoning applied to the chicken itself. A well-balanced seasoning blend creates a delicious base, ensuring every bite bursts with taste before the buffalo sauce even comes into play. We offer two fantastic options, allowing you to tailor the flavor profile to your preference. Whichever you choose, ensure the chicken is patted dry before seasoning; this helps the spices adhere better and contributes to a crispier exterior.
Option 1: Classic Chicken Dry Rub
Our go-to homemade dry rub is a simple yet incredibly effective blend that enhances the chicken’s natural flavor with aromatic and savory notes. This robust seasoning includes:
- Garlic Powder: A fundamental savory element that provides a deep, all-around flavor.
- Onion Powder: Complements the garlic, adding another layer of savory depth and a subtle sweetness.
- Smoked Paprika: This is a key ingredient, offering a beautiful reddish-orange hue and a complex smoky flavor that pairs wonderfully with the spicy buffalo sauce. Regular paprika can be used, but smoked paprika truly elevates the profile.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning the chicken to perfection, bringing out all the other flavors. Adjust to your personal taste.
To use, simply combine these spices and generously coat both sides of your chicken tenders. This blend ensures a consistently delicious flavor that stands up to the bold buffalo sauce.
Option 2: Tangy Ranch Seasoning
For those who adore the creamy, herby notes of ranch dressing, seasoning your chicken tenders with a homemade ranch blend is a brilliant choice. The cool, tangy flavors of ranch create a fantastic counterpoint to the heat of the buffalo sauce, making each bite an exciting dance of flavors. Our Homemade Ranch Seasoning typically features:
- Chives (fresh or dried): Adds a mild, oniony freshness.
- Dill (fresh or dried): Provides the distinctive herbaceous, slightly sweet, and tangy flavor that is characteristic of ranch.
- Onion Powder & Garlic Powder: Essential savory components, just like in the dry rub, to build flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: To season and balance the blend.
A personal favorite method is to season half of the chicken tenders with the classic dry rub and the other half with the ranch seasoning. This way, you get the best of both worlds, offering a delightful variety of flavors on your plate. Ensure each tender is thoroughly coated for maximum flavor impact.
The Secret to Great Buffalo Sauce
Understanding the difference between hot sauce and buffalo sauce is crucial for achieving that authentic, rich flavor in your tenders. While both deliver heat, they are not interchangeable. Hot sauce, like a classic cayenne pepper sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot), is typically made with peppers, vinegar, and salt. It’s thin and delivers a sharp, straightforward heat.
Buffalo sauce, on the other hand, is a more complex and velvety condiment. It’s traditionally made by combining hot sauce with melted butter, which adds richness, body, and mellows the heat slightly, creating a smoother, more balanced flavor profile. Some recipes might also include a touch of garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, or a hint of vinegar to enhance its depth.
For this recipe, your favorite store-bought buffalo wing sauce will work wonderfully. Brands like Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce are popular for a reason—they deliver that classic taste. If you’re looking for healthier options, products like Primal Kitchen Buffalo Sauce offer great flavor without unwanted additives. For a truly homemade touch, you can easily make your own by whisking together melted unsalted butter with hot sauce (a 1:1 ratio is a good starting point, adjusting to your preference) and a dash of garlic powder. The key is to achieve a sauce that coats the chicken beautifully, providing a burst of spicy, tangy flavor with every bite.
How to Make Buffalo Chicken Tenders: Step-by-Step
Creating these irresistible Buffalo Chicken Tenders is surprisingly simple, especially with the versatility of air frying or oven baking. Here’s a breakdown of the process to ensure perfectly cooked, juicy tenders every time.
Before you begin, ensure your chicken tenderloins (or breast strips) are patted dry with paper towels. This crucial step removes excess moisture, which is essential for achieving a crispy exterior and allowing the seasoning to adhere properly.
- Season the Chicken: Generously coat both sides of the chicken tenders with your chosen seasoning blend—either the homemade dry rub (garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper) or the ranch seasoning. Make sure each tender is thoroughly covered for maximum flavor.
- Prepare for Cooking: Choose your preferred cooking method: air fryer or oven. Each method offers a slightly different texture and convenience, but both yield delicious results.
- Cook the Chicken: Follow the specific instructions below for your chosen appliance to cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through.
- Sauce and Serve: Once cooked, drizzle or toss the tenders in your favorite buffalo sauce. Serve immediately with your preferred sides and dipping sauces.
Air Fryer Method for Ultimate Crispness
The air fryer is a fantastic tool for making exceptionally crispy chicken tenders with minimal oil. It circulates hot air, mimicking the results of deep frying without the excess fat.
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil or a non-stick spray to prevent sticking. For easier cleanup, you can also line the basket with air fryer parchment paper.
- Arrange Tenders: Place the seasoned chicken tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Avoid overcrowding the basket, as this can steam the chicken instead of crisping it. Cook in batches if necessary.
- First Cook: Air fry for 8 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
- Flip and Continue: Open the air fryer, carefully flip each tender to ensure even browning and crisping. Continue air frying for an additional 4-8 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown, crispy, and cooked through.
- Check Doneness: The internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) as measured with a meat thermometer.
- Remove and Sauce: Carefully remove the cooked tenders from the air fryer. You can either drizzle them generously with buffalo sauce or toss them in a bowl with the sauce for a more uniform coating.
Oven Baking for Golden Perfection
Baking in the oven is another excellent way to achieve delicious and crispy Buffalo Chicken Tenders, especially if you’re cooking a larger batch. Using a wire rack is highly recommended for optimal crispiness.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Place an oven-safe wire baking rack on a standard baking sheet or sheet pan. Lightly spray the rack and/or pan with cooking oil or non-stick spray. The wire rack allows air to circulate around the chicken, promoting crispiness on all sides. If you don’t have a rack, you can use parchment paper directly on the sheet pan, though the bottom may not get quite as crispy.
- Arrange Tenders: Place the seasoned chicken tenders in a single layer on the prepared rack or sheet pan, ensuring they are not touching.
- First Bake: Bake for 10 minutes.
- Flip and Continue: Carefully flip each chicken tender to ensure even cooking and browning. Bake for another 10 minutes, or until the chicken is golden, cooked through, and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove and Sauce: Remove the tenders from the oven. Drizzle or toss them with your buffalo sauce, then serve immediately.
Achieving Crispy Breaded Tenders
For those who love the added crunch and texture of a breaded chicken tender, it’s easy to adapt this recipe. Breading adds an extra layer of crispiness and flavor that perfectly complements the spicy buffalo sauce.
- Prepare Breading Mixture: In a shallow dish, combine your chosen spices (either the standard chicken seasoning or ranch seasoning) with ½ cup of all-purpose flour. You may need additional flour depending on the amount of chicken. For extra crispiness, consider adding panko breadcrumbs to this mixture (about a 1:1 ratio of flour to panko).
- Dredge the Chicken: Take each chicken tender and thoroughly coat it in the seasoned flour mixture. Press gently to ensure the breading adheres well. For an even thicker and crispier crust, you can create a classic breading station:
- Dredge chicken in flour.
- Dip in a whisked egg or buttermilk mixture.
- Coat again in the seasoned flour/panko mixture.
- Prepare for Cooking: Place the breaded tenders on your air fryer basket or prepared baking rack/sheet.
- Oil for Crispiness: Before cooking, generously spray the breaded tenders with cooking oil. This step is crucial for achieving that golden, crispy exterior in both the air fryer and oven, as it helps the breading to fry rather than just bake.
- Cook: Bake or air fry the breaded tenders using the same temperatures and similar cook times as outlined in the “How to Make Buffalo Chicken Tenders” section above. Keep an eye on them, as cooking times can vary slightly. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
The result will be tenders with an incredibly satisfying crunch, a perfect contrast to the tender chicken inside and the rich buffalo sauce.
Storage and Reheating Tips for Leftovers
One of the best things about Buffalo Chicken Tenders is how well they keep, making them perfect for meal prep or enjoying delicious leftovers. Proper storage and reheating are key to maintaining their flavor and texture.
How to Store and How Long It Lasts
Once your Buffalo Chicken Tenders have cooled completely, transfer them to an airtight container. Refrigerate promptly within two hours of cooking to ensure food safety. When stored correctly, leftover chicken tenders will last for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. If you’ve tossed them in buffalo sauce, they might become slightly less crispy over time, but the flavor will remain excellent. For maximum crispiness upon reheating, it’s sometimes best to store the sauce separately and add it fresh.
Best Reheating Methods
To bring your leftover Buffalo Chicken Tenders back to their former glory, avoid the microwave. While convenient, microwaving tends to soften the chicken’s texture, resulting in a less desirable, often rubbery, outcome. The goal is to restore some of that delicious crispiness.
- Oven Reheating: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the tenders on a baking sheet, preferably on a wire rack for airflow, and reheat for 10-15 minutes, or until thoroughly warmed through and crispy.
- Air Fryer Reheating: This is arguably the best method for restoring crispiness. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the tenders in a single layer in the basket and air fry for 5-8 minutes, flipping halfway, until hot and crispy.
If your tenders were stored without sauce, reheat them first, then drizzle with fresh buffalo sauce for the best experience. If they were already sauced, reheating in the oven or air fryer will help dry out and crisp up the coating.
Freezer-Friendly Buffalo Tenders
Buffalo Chicken Tenders are an excellent candidate for freezing, allowing you to prepare a batch ahead of time for quick meals or unexpected cravings. Freezing them properly ensures they retain their quality and flavor.
To Freeze Cooked Tenders:
- Cool Completely: After cooking, allow the chicken tenders to cool completely at room temperature. This is crucial to prevent ice crystals from forming.
- Flash Freeze (Optional, but Recommended): For best results, arrange the cooled tenders in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours, or until the tenders are firm. This step prevents them from sticking together once bagged.
- Package for Freezing: Transfer the flash-frozen (or simply cooled) tenders into a freezer-safe bag or an airtight container. Remove as much air as possible from the bag to prevent freezer burn. Label the bag with the date.
Frozen buffalo chicken tenders can be stored for up to 2-3 months. For thawing, it’s best to defrost them overnight in the refrigerator. Once thawed, follow the reheating instructions above (oven or air fryer) to bring them back to life. You can also reheat them from frozen; simply add about 5-10 minutes to the cooking time, ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Buffalo Chicken Tenders are incredibly versatile and pair beautifully with a wide array of side dishes. The key is to balance their spicy, tangy flavor with cooling, crunchy, or hearty accompaniments.
- Classic Comfort Sides:
- Air Fryer French Fries: A match made in heaven! Crispy fries offer a satisfying crunch and are perfect for dipping.
- Air Fryer Baked Potato: A hearty and comforting side that can be loaded with your favorite toppings to cut through the spice.
- Air Fryer Onion Rings: Another crispy fried favorite that complements the tenders well.
- Roasted Ranch Potatoes: The savory, herby notes of ranch on roasted potatoes provide a delicious contrast.
- Creamy Ranch Mashed Potatoes: Smooth, creamy, and flavorful, these mashed potatoes are a comforting side that tames the heat.
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes: Offers a touch of sweetness that beautifully balances the spicy tenders.
- Fresh and Cooling Sides:
- Celery and Carrot Sticks: A classic accompaniment, offering a refreshing crunch and a natural cooling effect. Don’t forget the dipping sauces!
- Cooling Dipping Sauces: Ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, or even a simple Greek yogurt dip can provide a welcome respite from the heat.
- Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad: A vibrant, creamy salad that incorporates those complementary ranch flavors.
- Coleslaw: The creamy tang of coleslaw is always a great choice with buffalo flavors.
- Simple Green Salad: A light, crisp salad with a vinaigrette dressing can add freshness to the meal.
Explore More Buffalo Sauce Creations
If you’re a fan of the bold, spicy, and tangy flavors of buffalo sauce, your culinary adventure doesn’t have to stop at chicken tenders! This incredibly versatile sauce can elevate a wide variety of dishes, transforming everyday meals into exciting, flavorful experiences. Once you master these tenders, consider trying some of these other fantastic buffalo-inspired recipes:
- Slow Cooker Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip: A creamy, cheesy, and spicy dip that’s perfect for parties and gatherings. It’s an absolute crowd-pleaser!
- Buffalo Shrimp: Quick-cooking shrimp coated in spicy buffalo sauce, ideal for a speedy appetizer or a light main course.
- Buffalo Chicken Chili: A hearty and comforting chili with all the classic buffalo flavors, a delicious twist on a traditional favorite.
- Air Fryer Buffalo Wings: For the ultimate game-day snack, these crispy wings are a must-try, offering a similar flavor profile to the tenders but with the bone-in wing experience.
Incorporating buffalo sauce into different recipes is an exciting way to explore new flavors and keep your meals interesting. These dishes are perfect for expanding your repertoire and satisfying those spicy cravings!
Beyond being a standalone dish, these Buffalo Chicken Tenders are incredibly versatile. You can use them as a substitute for plain chicken in many other recipes, instantly adding a delicious spicy kick. Try them in:
- Salmon Rice Bowls: Swap out the salmon for chopped buffalo tenders for a vibrant, flavorful bowl.
- Southwest Chicken Salad: Dice the tenders and add them to a fresh, crunchy southwest salad for a spicy protein boost.
- BLT Wraps: Include a few buffalo chicken tenders in your BLT wraps for an extra layer of flavor and satisfaction.
- Served with Chipotle Copycat Rice: Create your own burrito bowl experience by pairing these tenders with fragrant cilantro lime rice and your favorite toppings.
Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Brandi Crawford
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Equipment
- Cosori Air Fryer
- Air Fryer Oil Spray Bottle
- Air Fryer Parchment Paper
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenders
- cooking oil
- ¼ cup buffalo sauce
Option 1: Standard Chicken Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika Regular Paprika is fine.
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Option 2: Ranch Seasoned Chicken Tenders
- 1 teaspoon chives Fresh or dried.
- 1 teaspoon dill Fresh or dried.
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season both sides of the chicken tenders with the spices.
Air Fryer Method
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Place the seasoned chicken in the air fryer.
- Air fry for 8 minutes at 400 degrees.
- Open the air fryer and flip the tenders. Air fry for an additional 4-8 minutes at 400 degrees or until the chicken is crisp. Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Remove the tenders from the air fryer. Drizzle the tenders in buffalo sauce.
- Serve.
Oven Baking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place an oven-safe baking rack on a baking sheet or a sheet pan. Lightly spray with cooking oil/non-stick spray. (The baking rack will produce crispy tenders and is optional. You can use just the sheet pan with parchment paper if you wish).
- Place the seasoned tenders on the rack or sheet pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Flip each chicken tender. Bake for another 10 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Remove the tenders from the oven. Drizzle the tenders in buffalo sauce.
- Serve.
Notes
Use enough spices to fully coat the chicken. Add additional if necessary.
You can bake the buffalo sauce into the tenders by placing them back in the air fryer or oven for a few minutes (after you have added sauce to them).
Nutrition
Calories: 106kcal
Carbohydrates: 1g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 1g
Nutrition Data
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.