Zesty Buffalo Chicken Tenders Recipe for Spicy Food Lovers

Crispy buffalo chicken tenders have become my ultimate comfort food obsession lately.

Spicy, crunchy goodness calls to me from the kitchen whenever I’m feeling hungry.

My friends always request these when we gather for game nights.

Southern-style breading mixed with that signature hot sauce creates magic on a plate.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of heat and crunch that makes taste buds dance.

Quick preparation means you can whip up these addictive tenders faster than ordering takeout.

This recipe promises to become your new weekend favorite that impresses everyone at the table.

Dive into this flavor adventure and watch how quickly these tenders disappear!

Buffalo Chicken Tenders That Bring the Heat

• Quick Weeknight Meal: Whip up delicious buffalo chicken tenders in just 30 minutes with minimal cooking skills required.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Kids and adults love the crispy, spicy coating that delivers bold flavor without overwhelming heat.
• Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy as a main dish, game day snack, or party appetizer with easy customizable dipping sauces.
• Healthier Baked Alternative: Achieve restaurant-style crunch by baking instead of deep-frying, reducing excess oil and calories while maintaining incredible taste and texture.

Buffalo Chicken Tenders Ingredient List

• Chicken Tenders: Lean protein base for the dish, choose fresh, uniform-sized tenders for even cooking.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates a base layer for breading, helps other ingredients stick to chicken.
• Garlic Powder, Onion Powder: Adds subtle depth and savory flavor to the breading.
• Paprika: Provides mild warmth and beautiful golden color to the coating.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance overall taste.

• Eggs: Acts as a sticky layer to help breadcrumbs adhere to chicken.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Provides extra crispy, light texture to the chicken tenders.

• Butter: Creates a rich base for buffalo sauce, adds smoothness and depth.
• Buffalo Sauce: Delivers signature tangy, spicy flavor to the chicken tenders.

• Blue Cheese Dressing, Ranch Dressing: Cool, creamy dips that complement the spicy buffalo chicken.

Buffalo Chicken Tenders Cooking Steps

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to 400°F.

Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper or give it a light olive oil spray to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create Flavor-Packed Flour Coating

• All-purpose flour
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Paprika
• Salt
• Black pepper

Blend these ingredients until they’re perfectly combined and fragrant.

Step 3: Prepare Egg Wash

Crack eggs into a separate shallow dish and whisk them until smooth and well-blended.

Step 4: Set Up Crispy Breadcrumb Station

Pour panko breadcrumbs into a third shallow dish, creating your final coating layer.

Step 5: Coat Chicken Tenders

• First, roll in seasoned flour mixture
• Next, dunk into egg wash
• Finally, roll in panko breadcrumbs

Ensure each tender is completely and evenly covered.

Step 6: Arrange for Baking

Place coated tenders on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they’re in a single layer without touching.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Look for a beautiful golden-brown color and ensure chicken is fully cooked.

Step 8: Craft Spicy Buffalo Sauce

• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat
• Stir in buffalo sauce
• Cook for 2-3 minutes until fully combined and heated

Step 9: Sauce It Up

Remove chicken tenders from oven and drizzle with buffalo sauce.

Gently toss to coat each tender completely in spicy goodness.

Step 10: Serve and Enjoy

Plate your buffalo chicken tenders immediately.

Serve with cool blue cheese or ranch dressing for dipping, creating the perfect flavor balance.

Buffalo Chicken Tender Prep Tips

• Use fresh panko breadcrumbs for maximum crunchiness and avoid stale crumbs that can turn soggy.
• Flip chicken tenders halfway through baking to ensure even browning and consistent cooking on both sides.
• Warm buffalo sauce slightly before tossing with tenders to help it adhere better and coat more evenly.
• Replace wheat flour with almond flour or crushed pork rinds for a gluten-free, lower-carb alternative that maintains crispy texture.
• Use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internal temperature for safe consumption, ensuring juicy and fully cooked tenders.

Buffalo Chicken Tenders Storage

• Store leftover buffalo chicken tenders in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Place them in a single layer to prevent sogginess and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, spread tenders on a baking sheet, and warm for 10-12 minutes. Drizzle extra buffalo sauce to restore moisture and crispiness.
• Arrange tenders in the air fryer basket, cook at 370°F for 3-4 minutes. Ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F to maintain food safety.
• Skip microwave reheating to prevent tenders from becoming rubbery and losing their crispy coating. Stick to oven or air fryer methods for best texture and flavor.

Small Plates for Buffalo Chicken Tenders

• Pair with Crisp Craft Beer: Choose a hoppy, light pale ale or wheat beer that cuts through the spicy buffalo sauce and complements the crispy chicken tenders.
• Serve with Cooling Dip Trio: Create a dipping station featuring classic ranch, tangy blue cheese, and creamy garlic aioli to balance the heat and provide variety.
• Match with Crunchy Coleslaw: Prepare a fresh, zesty coleslaw with a vinegar-based dressing to provide a refreshing contrast to the rich, spicy chicken tenders.
• Complement with Chilled Celery Sticks: Offer crisp, raw celery sticks alongside the tenders to add a fresh, hydrating element that helps cool down the buffalo sauce's heat.

Buffalo Chicken Tenders With Mild To Hot Changes

• Gluten-Free Buffalo Chicken Tenders: Replace wheat flour with almond flour or gluten-free cornmeal for a celiac-friendly version. Use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs to maintain crispy texture.
• Keto-Friendly Buffalo Chicken: Swap breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds or almond flour. Reduce buffalo sauce or use a low-carb hot sauce to minimize sugar content.
• Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders: Cook chicken tenders in air fryer at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway. Achieve same crispy exterior with less oil and faster cooking time.
• Dairy-Free Buffalo Option: Use coconut oil instead of butter when making buffalo sauce. Select dairy-free ranch or cashew-based blue cheese dressing for those with milk allergies.

FAQs

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders?

Yes, you can slice chicken breasts into strips that are similar in size to tenders. Just ensure they are cut evenly for consistent cooking.

• How spicy is buffalo sauce?

Buffalo sauce ranges from mild to hot. You can control the heat by choosing a mild or hot buffalo sauce brand, or by mixing hot sauce with a milder sauce to adjust the spice level.

• Do I need to use panko breadcrumbs specifically?

While panko breadcrumbs provide the best crispy texture, you can substitute with regular breadcrumbs. Panko creates a lighter, crunchier coating compared to traditional breadcrumbs.

• Is this recipe kid-friendly?

You can make this recipe mild by using a less spicy buffalo sauce or serving the sauce on the side. Kids often enjoy the crispy chicken and can dip in ranch or blue cheese dressing to customize their spice level.

Buffalo Chicken Tenders Recipe

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4.6 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Spicy Buffalo Chicken Tenders deliver a fiery kick of flavor that ignites taste buds with classic American comfort food. Crispy exterior and juicy interior combine perfectly, promising a mouthwatering experience you won’t forget.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 pound (1 lb) chicken tenders

Breading and Seasoning:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Wet Ingredients:

• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (for greasing)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 400°F and creating a non-stick surface on a baking sheet using parchment paper or a light olive oil coating.
2. Create a savory seasoning blend by mixing flour with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a shallow container.
3. Whisk eggs thoroughly in a separate dish to create a binding layer for the breading process.
4. Spread panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish to provide a crispy exterior coating.
5. Transform chicken tenders into a crispy delight by first rolling them in the seasoned flour mixture, then dipping into beaten eggs, and finally coating generously with panko breadcrumbs.
6. Carefully arrange the breaded tenders on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are spread in a single layer without touching.
7. Roast the tenders in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, watching for a golden-brown color and ensuring complete internal cooking.
8. Simultaneously craft a spicy buffalo sauce by melting butter in a saucepan and incorporating buffalo sauce, heating and stirring for 2-3 minutes until fully integrated.
9. Once tenders emerge from the oven, drizzle the warm buffalo sauce over them, gently tossing to achieve an even, fiery coating.
10. Present the sauced tenders immediately, accompanied by cooling blue cheese or ranch dressing for a delightful dipping experience.

Notes

• Customize the spice level by adjusting the amount of buffalo sauce, making it milder for kids or extra fiery for heat lovers.
• Swap regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free panko for a celiac-friendly version, ensuring everyone can enjoy these crispy tenders.
• Pat chicken tenders dry before coating to help breading stick better and achieve maximum crunchiness.
• Prep the sauce and breading stations in advance to streamline the cooking process and reduce kitchen chaos.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 432
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 1180 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg