How Long Does It Take to Deep Fry Chicken Tenders to Perfection?

Chicken tenders are a beloved appetizer or main dish that can be found on menus across America. Their crispy exterior and tender, juicy interior make them an irresistible finger food. But cooking up perfect deep fried chicken tenders at home can be tricky if you don’t know how long to fry them. Undercook them and they’ll be soggy and raw inside. Overcook them and they’ll be dried out and tough. So what’s the magic frying time for flawless deep fried chicken tenders? Let’s break it down step-by-step.

The Ideal Temperature for Deep Frying Chicken Tenders

The first key to fried chicken tender success is heating up your oil to the right temperature. Most experts recommend heating your fryer or pot of oil to 350-375°F. Oil that is too cool will make your chicken tenders absorb more oil and end up greasy. Oil that is too hot will burn the exterior before the interior is cooked through.

350°F hits the Goldilocks sweet spot of crisping up the breading while cooking the chicken thoroughly without drying it out Investing in a deep fry thermometer takes out the guesswork and helps you maintain the ideal oil temp,

Average Chicken Tender Frying Time

Once your oil has reached the 350-375°F optimal zone, gently add your chicken tenders to the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd the fryer. Overcrowding causes the oil temperature to drop, leading to uneven cooking. For boneless, skinless chicken tenders that are 3/4 inch thick, the average frying time is:

• 4-6 minutes

Flipping the tenders halfway through ensures even browning. 6 minutes should suffice for getting the interior up to the 165°F safe temperature for chicken. But frying time can vary based on the size and thickness of your tenders, so it’s important to…

Use a Meat Thermometer to Test Doneness

While frying times serve as a useful guideline, the only way to definitively tell when your chicken tenders are fully cooked is to use an instant read meat thermometer. Insert the probe into the thickest part of a tender to get an accurate reading. Chicken is safe to eat once it reaches 165°F internally. If your tenders hit 165° in under 6 minutes, feel free to remove them sooner. Always rely on the thermometer over frying time for guaranteed safety and ideal texture.

Factors That Impact Chicken Tender Fry Times

Frying chicken tenders of varying sizes? Here are some factors that can increase or decrease the frying time:

Thicker tenders – Will take longer to cook through fully. Add 1-2 minutes to the frying time.

Larger tenders – Also require additional frying time. An extra 2-3 minutes should do.

Buttermilk soak – Buttermilk has a tenderizing effect that can slightly shorten fry time. Reduce time by 30-60 seconds.

Double dredging – Double dredging in flour/batter adds extra coating that needs time to crisp up, Add 1-2 minutes

Frozen tenders – Take significantly longer. Add 3-5 minutes to account for frozen interior.

Overcrowded fryer – Too many tenders lower oil temp and increase cook time. Fry in smaller batches.

Cooling oil – If oil temp drops below 350°F, frying time needs to be extended. Reheat oil between batches.

Tips for the Best Homemade Deep Fried Chicken Tenders

Follow these tips for replicating the crispy-juicy chicken tender perfection of your favorite restaurants:

• Use buttermilk: Soaking tenders in buttermilk before breading enhances juiciness.

• Double dredge: Dredge tenders in flour, dip in buttermilk, then dredge again for extra crispy coating.

• Flavorful breading: Season flour or breadcrumbs with garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, and black pepper.

• Fry in batches: Avoid overcrowding the fryer to maintain oil temperature.

• Rest on rack: Drain fried tenders on a wire rack rather than paper towels to retain crispy exterior.

• Check oil temp: Use a thermometer and adjust heat so oil stays close to 350°F.

• Take tenders’ temp: Use a meat thermometer to test doneness instead of relying solely on frying time.

• Serve with sauce: Ranch, blue cheese, honey mustard, and BBQ sauce all pair deliciously with chicken tenders.

With the right frying time, temperature, and technique, you can achieve restaurant-quality deep fried chicken tenders from the comfort of your own kitchen. Just be sure to enlist some hungry family or friends to help you polish off these crispy, juicy homemade chicken tenders.