Smoke Fried Chicken Tenders
On August 21, 2024
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With crispy, bite-through skin and tender, juicy meat, these Smoke Fried Chicken Tenders are a whole flavor and texture journey. Plus, with my Wing Night Kit, you have everything you need to make this incredibly simple dish.
Smoke Fried Chicken Tenders
Forget going out to the crowded chicken chain for so-so chicken strips, because my Smoke Fried Chicken Tenders knock out the competition. Made with some seriously tender chicken strips and the goods from my Wing Night: Smoked & Fried Wing Kit, these tenders are about to make you coolest parent on the block. A buttermilk brine with a kiss of my Sweet Rub soaks into your chicken tenders, loading each bite with juicy flavor. Then these fingers get a healthy coating of my Wing Batter for a crispy exterior so light and crunchy you’ll need a minute. Finally, these perfectly fried tenders get a toss in some of my sticky and delicious Sweet Heat BBQ Glaze.
If you’re ready to ruin yourself for other tenders, then grab yourself a Wing Kit and some chicken strips, and let’s get frying.
Buttermilk Brine for Chicken
For these chicken tenders, you’ll be giving them a buttermilk brine. In a gallon zip top bag, you’ll combine your buttermilk and some of my signature Sweet Rub, then place your tenders. After that, seal your bag, then place in your refrigerator. The buttermilk is going to help tenderize your chicken, ensuring juicy meat in each bite. The Sweet Rub is going to help enhance the natural sweet and savory notes of your chicken.
You want to give your chicken at least 4 hours to soak in the brine in your refrigerator. You can leave your chicken in the brine overnight up to 12 hours, but make sure you give it at least a good 4 hours. The longer you allow your chicken to brine, the more rich and tender your finished result will be.
Wing Batter for Chicken Tenders
The fried batter on these chicken tenders is so light and crispy, it really takes them over the top. If you’ve already got my Wing Night Kit, then you just need to add some of the batter to a shallow bowl and you’re ready to coat your tenders. Don’t worry if you don’t have the kit, you can easily make your own batter with these simple pantry ingredients:
- ¼ cup cornstarch
- ¾ cup rice flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
Just place all the ingredients together in your bowl, then whisk to combine. After that, mix with about 1 cup of water, and you’re good to coat your tenders and get them frying.
How Long to Fry Chicken
Oh boy, this is the part where your chicken gets its ridiculously crispy coating. To achieve this, you’ll just heat some cooking oil in a 12-inch cast iron skillet or heavy-bottom pan to around 375 degrees F on your grill or stovetop. Once your oil is hot, place your battered chicken tenders in it using some long-handled tongs. Give your chicken 5-7 minutes to fry in the oil, flipping occasionally with your tongs to get a beautiful coating all around. Once your chicken is a tantalizing golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 160 degrees with a reliable food thermometer, transfer to a bowl.
Glazing Your Chicken Tenders
The thing that sets these chicken tenders apart from the pack is a generous smothering of my Sweet Heat Glaze. This stuff is sticky and sweet with just a little spicy zing that will have you licking your fingers. Imagine the most tender and delicious sweet heat bbq wings you’ve ever had, but you don’t have to stop to take care of the bones. Nothing but you, some juicy chicken, and the glaziest glaze around. You can also use any BBQ sauce or glaze you prefer and still enjoy delicious chicken.
How to Make Chicken Tenders at Home
Now that you know about all the flavor that awaits you, it’s time to fry some chicken. Just follow these easy steps and you’ll be tearing apart tenders in no time:
- Brine chicken. Let your chicken bathe in the flavorful buttermilk, taking on all the sweet and savory notes from my Sweet Rub. This step is key to achieving that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness you’re after.
- Preheat oil. While your oil is heating up, remove your tenders from the brine, then pat them dry with a paper towel.
- Fry tenders. Give each tender a dip in your batter before placing in your oil and sizzling to golden perfection.
- Toss tenders. Fresh from frying, place your golden tenders in a large bowl. Give them a very generous coating of my Sweet Heat BBQ Glaze, then toss your tenders. You want every nook and cranny covered with this sticky sauce
- Serve and enjoy. Pile those glistening tenders high and get ready for a flavor and texture experience your family will rave about. Each bite is a perfect balance of crispy, juicy, sweet, and spicy. It’s almost too much. Almost.
Serving Suggestions
While these Smoke Fried Chicken Tenders are a totally unique flavor experience, you can serve them similar to chicken wings. Because the finger-licking glaze for these strips has a little heat, I like to serve them with some carrots and celery sticks. I also love serving my chicken with a salty potato side. And of course, you can’t have chicken tenders without some serious dipping sauces. Here are a few options to help you bring your tender meal together:
Condiments
Homemade Ranch Dressing
Appetizers
Loaded Potato Skins
Condiments
Blue Cheese Crumble Dressing
More Yummy Chicken Recipes
Once you bite into these tender, tasty chicken strips, you’ll be on the hunt for more ways to enjoy this delicious bird. And believe me, you came to the right place. I’ve got hundreds of recipes for fans of every chicken cut in the Hey Grill Hey app to satisfy those cravings. Here are few of my favorites to try next:
Smoke Fried Chicken Strips Recipe
Don’t be a chicken, try this amazing Smoke Fried Chicken Tender recipe, then tell me about your experience in the comments section. If you had fun making this recipe, feel free to give it a 5-star rating. When you’re ready to find your family’s next favorite chicken dish, head over to my YouTube channel, where I’ve got how-to videos for all my most popular recipes.
Remember to share those tasty BBQ results with me. Be sure to tag @heygrillhey on Instagram and Facebook with all the mouthwatering photos of your backyard BBQ hero work.
Smoke Fried Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
- ¼ cup Hey Grill Hey Sweet Heat BBQ Glaze
- 1 ½ cups Hey Grill Hey Wing Batter
- 1 cup cool water
Buttermilk Brine
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 Tablespoon Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub
Instructions
- Brine chicken. Combine the ingredients for the brine, then submerge the tenders in the liquid. Brine for at least 4 hours, but you can go up to 12.1 pound chicken tenders, 1 cup buttermilk, 1 Tablespoon Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub
- Preheat oil. In a large pot or deep cast iron pan, preheat your vegetable oil until it reaches around 375 degrees F. While your oil is heating, remove your chicken from the brine and pat dry with a paper towel. Add your Wing Batter to a shallow bowl and mix with your cool water.2 cups vegetable oil, 1 ½ cups Hey Grill Hey Wing Batter, 1 cup cool water
- Fry tenders. Coat your chicken tenders in the batter, and then fry for 5-7 minutes, flipping occasionally with tongs for even cooking. Fry until the internal temperature of your chicken reads 160 degrees F.
- Toss tenders. Once your tenders are cooked, remove to a large bowl, then coat in the Sweet Heat BBQ Glaze.¼ cup Hey Grill Hey Sweet Heat BBQ Glaze
- Serve and enjoy. Serve your glazed tenders with some homemade ranch or blue cheese dressing, and some veggie sticks.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
