Sizzling Cowboy Butter Chicken Tenders Recipe for Fun Dinners

Cowboy butter chicken tenders dance with a wild southwestern twist that’ll make your taste buds jump for joy.

Adventurous palates discover a mouthwatering fusion of zesty spices and creamy richness.

Ranch-inspired seasonings bring unexpected excitement to classic chicken strips.

Ranch powder and melted butter create an irresistible coating that clings perfectly to each tender morsel.

Southwestern flavors burst through every crispy bite, promising a meal that breaks traditional recipe boundaries.

Crisp outside and juicy inside, these chicken tenders tell a delicious story of culinary creativity.

Jump into this flavor journey and unleash your inner kitchen cowboy.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Tenders – Flavorful Western Twist

• Quickest Weeknight Meal: Prepare these crispy chicken tenders in just 15 minutes from start to finish, making them a perfect solution for busy families craving a delicious dinner without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Texture Sensation: The cornflake coating creates an incredibly crunchy exterior that delivers a satisfying crackle with every bite, while keeping the chicken inside juicy and tender.
• Flavor Explosion: Cowboy butter sauce transforms ordinary chicken tenders into a gourmet experience, blending zesty herbs, tangy seasonings, and rich butter for an irresistible flavor profile that will have everyone asking for seconds.
• Kid-Friendly Upgrade: These tenders appeal to both children and adults, offering a playful twist on classic fried chicken that's healthier when air-fried and packed with exciting flavors kids will love.

Components for Cowboy Butter Chicken Tenders

• Chicken Tenders: Lean protein base for the crispy coating, choose fresh or thawed tenders of uniform size for even cooking.

• Cornflakes, Flour: Provides crunchy exterior and helps coating stick to chicken, select plain cornflakes and all-purpose flour for best results.
• Eggs, Milk: Binding agent for breading, helps create a smooth adhesive layer between flour and cornflakes.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Seasoning: Enhances overall flavor profile, use kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper for depth.
• Olive Oil Spray: Helps achieve golden brown color and crispy texture, allows for lighter cooking method.

• Butter, Garlic, Parsley, Red Pepper Flakes, Lemon Juice, Worcestershire Sauce: Creates zesty, bold sauce with multiple flavor layers, fresh ingredients recommended for maximum taste impact.

• Ranch Dressing, Blue Cheese Dressing: Cool, creamy accompaniment that complements spicy and crispy chicken tenders, provides additional dipping option.

Cooking Instructions for Cowboy Butter Chicken Tenders

Step 1: Crush Cornflake Coating

Grab a large ziplock bag and add cornflakes.

Seal the bag securely.

Use a rolling pin or meat mallet to crush the cornflakes into coarse, crunchy crumbs that will create an amazing crispy exterior.

Step 2: Prepare Dredging Stations

Set up three shallow dishes for the chicken coating process:

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

• Eggs
• Whole milk

• Crushed cornflake crumbs

Step 3: Coat Chicken Tenders

Dunk each chicken tender first into the seasoned flour mixture, shaking off any excess.

Next, dip the floured tender into the egg wash, ensuring complete coverage.

Finally, roll the tender in the crushed cornflake crumbs, pressing gently to help the coating stick firmly.

Step 4: Air Fry To Perfection

Arrange the coated chicken tenders in the air fryer basket, making sure they are not touching.

Lightly spritz with olive oil spray.

Cook at 400°F for 5 minutes, then carefully flip each tender.

Spray again and cook for an additional 5 minutes until they turn golden brown and reach a safe internal temperature.

Step 5: Create Cowboy Butter Sauce

• Softened butter
• Minced garlic
• Chopped fresh parsley
• Red pepper flakes
• Worcestershire sauce
• Lemon juice

Whisk ingredients together and taste, adjusting seasonings as desired.

Step 6: Finish And Serve

Transfer the hot, crispy chicken tenders to a large bowl.

Pour the zesty cowboy butter sauce over the tenders, gently tossing to coat evenly.

Plate immediately and serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping.

Crispy Finish For Cowboy Chicken Tenders

• Use a rolling pin or meat mallet to create coarse, even crumbs for a consistent and crispy coating that adheres perfectly to chicken tenders.
• Follow the three-dish technique (flour, egg wash, cornflake crumbs) to ensure a thick, crunchy exterior that locks in moisture and flavor.
• Arrange chicken tenders with gaps between them to allow hot air circulation, guaranteeing even cooking and maximum crispiness.
• Taste and modify the butter sauce before coating to create a personalized flavor profile that complements the crispy chicken.
• Coat chicken with cowboy butter right after cooking to help the sauce stick and infuse maximum flavor into the crispy exterior.

Reheating Cowboy Chicken Tenders Just Right

• Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent soggy coating.
• Warm tenders at 350°F for 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through. Spray lightly with oil to restore crispiness and prevent drying out.
• Place tenders on a wire rack over a baking sheet. Bake at 375°F for 5-7 minutes until heated through and crispy.
• Skip microwaving to maintain the crunchy cornflake coating. Microwaving will make tenders soft and soggy.

Smart Matches For Chicken Tenders

• Elevate Creamy Dip Pairings: Blend cool ranch or zesty blue cheese dressing with the spicy, buttery chicken tenders for an incredible taste explosion that balances heat and richness.
• Craft Beer Companions: Select hoppy IPAs or crisp wheat beers to cut through the buttery sauce, refreshing your palate with each spicy, crunchy bite of chicken.
• Zesty Side Salad Complement: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a tangy, peppery contrast that brightens the robust cowboy butter flavors and adds fresh texture.
• Cool Cucumber Slaw Solution: Prepare a quick cucumber and dill slaw with a light vinegar dressing to introduce a cool, crunchy element that offsets the tenders' warm, spicy profile.

Cowboy Chicken Tender Swaps

• Gluten-Free Crunch: Replace wheat flour with gluten-free flour blend and use crushed gluten-free rice cereal instead of cornflakes for celiac-friendly chicken tenders.
• Keto-Friendly Version: Swap cornflakes with crushed pork rinds, use almond flour instead of wheat flour, and keep the cowboy butter sauce for a low-carb alternative.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use plant-based milk in egg wash, skip dairy in cowboy butter, and replace butter with olive oil or coconut oil for those with dairy restrictions.
• Spicy Herb Variation: Add cayenne pepper to flour mixture, mix fresh chopped herbs like rosemary and thyme into cornflake crumbs for an elevated flavor profile.

FAQs

• What are the key ingredients in cowboy butter?

The cowboy butter includes softened butter, minced garlic, chopped fresh parsley, lemon juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and black pepper. These ingredients create a zesty, bold flavor profile that adds richness to the chicken tenders.

• Can I use regular breadcrumbs instead of crushed cornflakes?

While you can substitute breadcrumbs, cornflakes provide a unique crunch and texture that sets these chicken tenders apart. The cornflake coating creates a super crispy exterior that’s hard to achieve with traditional breadcrumbs.

• Is this recipe considered spicy?

The recipe has a mild to moderate heat level from the hot sauce in the cowboy butter. You can easily adjust the spiciness by increasing or decreasing the amount of hot sauce to suit your personal taste preferences.

• Do I need an air fryer to make this recipe?

An air fryer gives the best crispy result, but you can alternatively bake the chicken tenders in a preheated oven at 425°F for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through to ensure even cooking and crispiness.

Cowboy Butter Chicken Tenders Recipe

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4.5 from 27 reviews

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

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Description

Succulent cowboy butter chicken tenders bring Texas ranch flair to classic comfort food. Zesty herb-infused butter and crispy coating create an irresistible meal that will make you crave another bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 2 pounds (0.9 kilograms) chicken tenderloins

Coating Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup flour
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk or buttermilk
• 3 cups cornflakes, crushed into coarse crumbs
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose seasoning (Cajun, Kickn Chicken, etc.)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

Butter Sauce Ingredients:

• 1 stick (1/2 cup or 113 grams) butter, mostly melted
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 lemon, zested + 1 tablespoon juice
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne or red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon chives or green onions, sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced
• Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
• Olive oil or avocado oil spray (aerosol spray is ideal)

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Instructions

1. Pulverize cornflakes into rough fragments within a robust sealable bag using a rolling mechanism or meat tenderizer.
2. Establish three distinct shallow receptacles: first with seasoned flour and spices, second with whisked egg and dairy blend, third with crushed cornflake fragments.
3. Transform each chicken tender by thoroughly dusting with seasoned flour, eliminating excess powder.
4. Submerge floured tender completely into egg mixture, ensuring comprehensive liquid coverage.
5. Delicately press tender into cornflake crumbs, guaranteeing comprehensive exterior coating.
6. Arrange tenders strategically within air fryer basket, maintaining adequate spacing for optimal circulation.
7. Lightly mist chicken with olive oil spray to enhance crispiness.
8. Roast at 400°F, executing a mid-cycle flip after 5 minutes, respritzing with oil, continuing until exterior achieves golden-bronze perfection and interior reaches safe consumption temperature.
9. Simultaneously, amalgamate cowboy butter ingredients, calibrating flavor profile through strategic seasoning adjustments.
10. Transfer crisp tenders into expansive mixing vessel.
11. Cascade cowboy butter sauce across tenders, rotating thoroughly to achieve uniform flavor distribution.
12. Present immediately alongside complementary ranch or blue cheese dipping sauce.

Notes

• Crumb Coating Trick: Crush cornflakes finely in a sealed bag to create an extra crispy, crunchy exterior that locks in chicken moisture.
• Temperature Control: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally for safe consumption without overcooking.
• Oil Spray Technique: Lightly mist tenders with olive oil spray to enhance golden browning and prevent dryness in air fryer.
• Diet Adaptation: Swap regular flour with gluten-free flour blend for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals without compromising texture.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Air Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 160 mg