My Secret to Perfect “Chick-fil-A” Chicken Tenders at Home (Seriously, They’re Better!)

Okay, you guys, let’s talk about that iconic red and white bag and the pure joy it brings. Is there anyone on the planet who doesn’t get a little bit excited by the thought of those perfectly seasoned, unbelievably juicy Chick-fil-A chicken tenders? It’s a very real craving, and one that my family gets all the time.

But what if you could have that exact same, delicious, and addictive flavor without ever having to leave your house or wait in a super long drive-thru line? What if I told you that the famous secret to their incredibly tender chicken is actually shockingly simple and uses an ingredient you probably have in your fridge right now? It all comes down to a magical and very surprising marinade.

So today, I am so unbelievably excited to finally share my perfected copycat recipe for Better Than Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders. This recipe completely cracks the code, giving you tenders that are so moist and flavour-packed, you’ll swear they came straight from the restaurant. Get ready to make your favorite fast food at home, anytime you want!

The Ultimate Fast Food at Home: Copycat Chick-fil-A Tenders

This recipe for Copycat Chick-fil-A Tenders is my absolute favorite because it tastes just like the real deal, or maybe even a little bit better! The unique marinade and the simple, seasoned breading work together to create that signature savory and slightly sweet flavour that everyone is completely obsessed with. It’s the perfect way to satisfy a major fast-food craving using simple, homemade ingredients.

A Perfect Easy Chicken Tender Recipe for Fun Family Dinners

You will find that this is such an easy chicken tender recipe, even though it tastes so authentic and special. It is also one of my family’s favorite fun family dinners, especially for a Friday night “fakeaway” treat that feels way more exciting than our usual meals. My kids go absolutely crazy for these, and I know yours will too!

Your Guide: What is the Secret Ingredient in Chick-fil-A Chicken?

I know you’re all dying to know, so here it is: what is the secret ingredient in Chick-fil-A chicken? The famous, long-rumored secret is that they brine their chicken in pickle juice, which is what makes it so incredibly juicy and gives it that signature, subtle tangy flavor that you can’t quite put your finger on. My perfected copycat version uses a simple marinade of buttermilk and dill pickle juice to achieve that exact same, magical result.

Why You’ll Love These Copycat Chick-fil-A Tenders

I just know that you guys are going to be obsessed with this recipe because it tastes so shockingly similar to the real Chick-fil-A tenders, but you can make them at home whenever that craving strikes. You’ll also love that the simple marinade makes the chicken so unbelievably tender and juicy, it’s a completely foolproof method. Plus, it’s a super fun recipe that will make you feel like a kitchen magician when you serve it to your family.

Nutritional Benefits

While this is a fun and indulgent comfort food treat, making your favorite chicken tenders at home gives you complete control over the quality of your ingredients. You can choose to use high-quality, organic or pasture-raised chicken and a good, clean oil for frying, like peanut or canola oil. You are also completely avoiding the long list of preservatives and additives that can be found in many fast-food items, which is a huge win!

Full Recipe

Okay, are you guys ready to finally unlock the secrets of your favorite fast-food chicken and become a hero in your own kitchen? I am so excited to show you just how easy it is to make these incredible tenders at home. Let’s get into the recipe that will completely change your life!

A foolproof copycat recipe for the best, most authentic-tasting Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders. A simple but magical marinade of buttermilk and pickle juice makes the chicken unbelievably juicy and tender. The light, seasoned breading creates a perfectly crispy, golden-brown crust, for a result that’s even better than the drive-thru.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Marinating Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Yield: 4-6 servings | Category: Dinner, Main Course | Method: Frying | Cuisine: American, Southern | Diet: N/A

Essential Ingredients for Copycat Chick-fil-A Tenders

This iconic copycat recipe comes to life with a handful of simple, yet very specific, ingredients.

• Chicken: 2 lbs (about 1 kg) of chicken tenderloins
• For the Marinade:
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • ½ cup dill pickle juice (from a jar of pickles)
• For the Breading:
  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
• For Frying: About 4 cups of peanut or canola oil

Ingredients Notes

Let’s chat for a sec about these ingredients, because a few key choices are what make this copycat recipe so perfect.

• The Chicken Tenderloins: I love using chicken tenderloins for this recipe because they are already the perfect shape and are naturally the most tender part of the chicken. The marinade is going to make them even more unbelievably juicy. Patting them dry before they go into the marinade is a great first step.
• The Pickle Juice: You guys, this is the most important secret ingredient! You will want to use the brine from a jar of classic dill pickles, not sweet pickles. This salty, tangy brine is what tenderizes the chicken and gives it that signature, addictive flavour.
• The Powdered Sugar: This might seem like a strange ingredient, but a little bit of powdered sugar in the breading is the other key to that authentic Chick-fil-A taste. It adds a very subtle sweetness that balances the saltiness of the pickle brine and helps the breading to get beautifully golden brown.
• The Peanut Oil: For the most authentic flavour, it is highly recommended to fry your chicken in peanut oil, which is what Chick-fil-A traditionally uses. If you have a peanut allergy or don’t have it on hand, canola or vegetable oil are also fantastic substitutes.

How to Make Better Than Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders

Okay, let’s get into the simple steps to make this incredible, restaurant-quality fried chicken.

• Step 1: Marinate the Chicken. In a medium bowl or a large zip-top bag, combine the buttermilk and the dill pickle juice. Add your chicken tenderloins to the mixture and make sure they are all completely submerged. Let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours.
• Step 2: Prepare the Breading. When you are ready to cook, prepare your seasoned breading. In a large, shallow dish, whisk together the all-purpose flour, the powdered sugar, salt, black pepper, and paprika until they are well combined.
• Step 3: Bread the Chicken. Take one chicken tenderloin at a time from the buttermilk marinade, allowing any excess liquid to drip off. Place the tender in the seasoned flour mixture and toss it until it is completely and very generously coated on all sides. Place the coated chicken on a clean wire rack and repeat with the remaining tenders.
• Step 4: Heat the Frying Oil. Pour about 1 to 2 inches of your frying oil into a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches a temperature of 175°C (350°F).
• Step 5: Fry to Golden Perfection. Working in batches so you don’t overcrowd the pot, carefully place a few of the coated chicken tenders into the hot oil. Fry them for about 3 to 4 minutes per side. The chicken tenders are done when they are a deep golden brown and crispy, and have reached an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).
• Step 6: Drain and Serve. Use tongs to carefully remove the cooked chicken tenders from the hot oil and place them on a clean wire rack to drain any excess oil. Serve them hot with your favorite dipping sauces, like a copycat Chick-fil-A sauce!

Storage Options

These delicious fried chicken tenders are at their absolute crispiest and best when they are enjoyed fresh and hot from the fryer. If you do happen to have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The crispy coating will soften as it sits in the fridge.

The absolute best way to reheat these tenders and bring back that amazing crispy crust is in your air fryer. Just a few minutes in a hot air fryer will work wonders to re-crisp the coating and warm the chicken through, making them almost as good as new.

Variations and Substitutions

I love this recipe because it is a perfect copycat, but you can still have fun with it. For a spicy version, you can add about a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to your seasoned flour mixture for a delicious kick. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make a DIY version by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a cup of regular milk. You can also easily use this exact same method with boneless, skinless chicken breasts that have been cut into strips or nugget-sized pieces.

Practical & Valuable Tips

My number one, most important tip for this recipe is to not skip the pickle juice marinade; it is the true secret to the authentic flavour and juicy texture. When you are dredging your chicken, really press the seasoned flour into the meat to create a nice, thick coating which will become that perfect crispy crust. Finally, using a thermometer to maintain your oil temperature at a steady 175°C (350°F) is the key to getting a perfectly golden, crispy, and non-greasy result every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I really have to use pickle juice? It sounds so strange! Yes, you really do! I know it sounds unusual, but trust me, this is the absolute key to the recipe. The chicken will not taste like pickles, but the brine will tenderize the meat and give it that signature, addictive, savory flavour that you can’t quite identify but absolutely love.
2. Can I bake these chicken tenders in the oven or air fryer to make them healthier? You can, but to get that truly authentic, crispy crust, frying is the recommended method for this specific copycat recipe. If you do want to air fry them, I would recommend arranging the breaded chicken tenders in a single layer in your air fryer basket, spraying them generously with cooking oil, and air frying at 200°C (400°F) for about 10-12 minutes, flipping once halfway through.
3. My breading fell off the chicken while it was frying. What did I do wrong? This usually happens if the chicken is moved around too much in the hot oil right after it’s been added. When you first place the chicken in the oil, let it sit undisturbed for a minute or two. This allows the crust to set and adhere to the chicken before you try to move or flip it.
4. How do I know for sure when my chicken tenders are cooked through? The tenders are done when they are a deep golden brown and are floating in the oil. However, the only 100% reliable way to know your chicken is safely cooked is to use an instant-read meat thermometer. The chicken should register an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F).
5. What is the best sauce to serve with these copycat chicken tenders? For the most authentic experience, you can serve these with a homemade copycat of the famous Chick-fil-A sauce, which is a simple mixture of mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, mustard, and a little honey. They are also, of course, fantastic with a classic Polynesian sauce or a simple honey mustard.

Conclusion

This recipe for Better Than Chick-fil-A Chicken Tenders is your ultimate guide to recreating a fast-food legend in your own kitchen. It’s a dish that proves that with a few simple secrets, like a magical pickle juice marinade, you can create a result that is truly spectacular. It’s a fun, indulgent, and deeply satisfying meal that will have your whole family cheering and asking you to make it again and again. This is a Copycat Recipe that will save you a trip to the drive-thru. If you love this fun and delicious dinner, don’t forget to share it and save it to your favorite copycat recipes board on Pinterest!