Crispy Pickle Brine Tenders (Printable)

Crispy chicken tenders seasoned with dill pickle brine for incredible flavor.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Marinade

01 - 1 ½ lbs (680 g) chicken tenders or boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
02 - 1 cup (240 ml) dill pickle brine from a jar of pickles
03 - 1 teaspoon hot sauce (optional)

→ Breading

04 - 1 ½ cups (180 g) all-purpose flour
05 - ½ cup (65 g) cornstarch
06 - 1 ½ teaspoons paprika
07 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
09 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
10 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
11 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

→ To Fry

12 - 2 large eggs
13 - 2 tablespoons buttermilk or non-dairy milk for DF option
14 - Vegetable oil, for frying

# Steps:

01 - In a bowl, combine chicken tenders, pickle brine, and hot sauce (if using). Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour up to 4 hours.
02 - Remove chicken from brine and pat dry with paper towels.
03 - In a shallow dish, combine flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne (if using).
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk eggs and buttermilk together.
05 - Dredge each chicken tender in the flour mixture, then dip into the egg mixture, then back into the flour mixture, pressing firmly for a thick, crispy coating.
06 - Heat 2 inches (5 cm) of vegetable oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven to 350°F (175°C).
07 - Fry the tenders in batches, 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on a wire rack or paper towel–lined plate.
08 - Serve hot, with your favorite dipping sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This dish makes dinner feel special without hours spent in the kitchen.
  • Your kids will love them, and you can feel good knowing they're packed with flavor.
02 -
  • If you skip patting the chicken dry, you'll lose that crucial crunch!
  • Adding panko in the breading mix transforms the texture to a whole new level.
03 -
  • Lifting the tenders out gently while frying can prevent losing that precious crust.
  • A mix of flour and cornstarch is the secret to unparalleled crispiness.
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