The chicken tender – that tasty, crispy, boneless strip of breaded chicken breast – has an origin story shrouded in mystery With its kid-friendly appeal and adaptability, the humble chicken tender has taken over restaurant menus across America But who exactly invented this iconic dish, and how did it become so popular?
As a chicken tender mega-fan on a mission to uncover the truth, I dug into the murky history of this ubiquitous finger food. My research uncovered conflicting claims, unsubstantiated myths, and questionable chicken lore. Was the chicken tender born in a corporate test kitchen or a small-town restaurant? Does any one chef deserve credit? Let’s pluck apart the mystery of the chicken tender.
The Puritan Backroom Stakes Their Claim
The most common story credits the invention of the chicken tender to the Puritan Backroom restaurant in Manchester, New Hampshire in 1974. According to the owners, the Demetriades family wanted to make use of trim pieces of quality chicken breast. So they marinated, breaded and fried the tenderloins to create their signature dish: the “Chicken Finger”.
The Puritan Backroom insists their creation was unique – no one else was serving these tasty morsels of real breast meat. While fried chicken had been around for ages, focusing on the slender tenderloin was an innovation. Within a few years, the “Chicken Finger” concept spread across the country. The Puritan Backroom happily takes credit for transforming the humble tender into a headlining menu item.
Challengers to the Chicken Crown
Not so fast, says Savannah, Georgia. Spanky’s Pizza Galley & Saloon claims they introduced chicken tenders in 1976, two years after New Hampshire. Down south in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, local legend says Raising Cane’s founder Todd Graves invented the chicken tender in the 1990s.
Up north, the family behind Mussari’s Motel and Restaurant in Pennsylvania insists they served up “french-fried chicken fingers” back in 1966. Can they all really lay claim to inventing this famous dish? It seems everyone wants a piece of chicken tender history
Before the Tenderloin Was King
Digging further back, I discovered some early chicken tender references that predate the 1970s claims. A 1909 South Carolina newspaper includes “chicken fingers” in a recipe round-up. Though no frying instructions are given, the name appears well before the supposed origin stories.
Even more shockingly, a 1952 St. Louis recipe uses the term “chicken fingers” for what amounts to deep-fried chicken pot pie. After this unsettling find, I realized “chicken fingers” didn’t always mean breaded meat strips. The phrase has changed meaning over the decades.
The Fuzzy Origins of a Simple Pleasure
Tracing the chicken tender back to its roots leads down a confusing path filled with unverified rumors and unofficial recipes, Too many chefs are trying to get their hands on the same prize, Can we ever identify the true original chicken tender?
Maybe pinpointing the absolute first is impossible – and unimportant. The chicken tender likely evolved organically from earlier recipes for fried chicken parts and nuggets. Its simplicity and mild flavor profile gave the tender mass appeal. Regional restaurants put their own spin on a basic concept until it became the menu staple we know today.
The chicken tender origin may remain murky, but its popularity is crystal clear. This humble boneless strip transcends its hazy roots as a pop culture icon. The story of the chicken tender is the story of American comfort food – humble local fare transformed through innovation into a universally loved menu item. Its legend continues to grow.
These Are the Best Places to Get Chicken Tenders in New HampshireYeah, we know a thing or two about chicken tenders in New Hampshire! They were invented in our fine state after all! Here are some the best places to get this delicious crowd pleasing comfort food in the Granite State.
Gallery Credit: Kira Lew
And of course, whats a basket of chicken tenders without fries?
Your Picks For the Best French Fries in New Hampshire
Gallery Credit: Ginny Rogers
How Chicken Tenders Made Him A Millionaire
FAQ
Who invented the first chicken tender?
He says Charlie Pappas invented the tender in 1974 to salvage pieces of chicken that were being thrown away.
Where does the chicken tender come from?
Chicken tenders, also known as chicken tenderloins, come from a specific muscle in the chicken called the pectoralis minor. This muscle is located underneath the chicken breast (pectoralis major) and is known for its tenderness.
Did the Puritan Backroom invent chicken tenders?
… the restaurant serves Greek-influenced New England cuisine and is known for their mudslides and for chicken tenders, which they claim to have invented in 1974
What was America’s first chicken finger joint?
The first chain of American restaurants to focus on chicken fingers was Guthrie’s, which opened in 1978 (and which would later inspire Raising Cane’s, which …Oct 27, 2021
Where were Chicken Tenders made?
Chicken tenders were first made at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 1974. Charlie Pappas salvaged chicken pieces that had been trimmed from larger cuts of chicken, marinating and frying them to create chicken tenders.
Who invented chicken tenders?
Some call it chicken tenders, others call it chicken strips, chicken fingers, chicken tempura, or chicken goujons. Because of this, tracing its roots can be quite a challenge. A Manchester, New Hampshire restaurant called The Puritan Backroom, they invented chicken tenders in 1974. However, lots of experts argue against the claim.
What is a chicken tender?
Chicken tenders (also known as chicken goujons, tendies, chicken strips, chicken fingers, or chicken fillets) [citation needed] are chicken meat prepared from the pectoralis minor muscles of the bird. These strips of white meat are located on either side of the breastbone, under the breast meat (pectoralis major).
When did fried chicken become a popular finger food?
And since chicken tenders are made from the cast-off parts of this area, chicken producers pushed for the consumption of fried chicken fingers/strips/tenders. This was during the late 1980s to early 1990s. From then on, this dish became popular as finger food.
Why do people eat fried chicken tenders?
When people got scared of eating red meat, chicken breasts became the most popular protein source alternatives. And since chicken tenders are made from the cast-off parts of this area, chicken producers pushed for the consumption of fried chicken fingers/strips/tenders. This was during the late 1980s to early 1990s.
How are chicken tenders prepared?
Chicken tenders are prepared by coating chicken meat in a breading mixture and then deep frying them, in a manner similar to the preparation of schnitzel. They are a very popular snack or main course due to their convenience and have become a staple across the United States.