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Irresistible Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders Recipe

Irresistible Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders Recipe

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

Ingredients Needed for Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders

  • 1½ lbs chicken tenders
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cornstarch
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • Oil for frying (vegetable or peanut oil)

For the hot oil glaze:

  • ½ cup hot frying oil (from the chicken)
  • 1½ tbsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • ½ tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions
 

  • Marinate the chicken.In a bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, and hot sauce. Add chicken tenders,cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for maximumtenderness).
  • Prepare the coating.Mix flour, cornstarch, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder in a shallowdish. The cornstarch helps keep the crust extra crispy.
  • Dredge and rest.Remove tenders from marinade and dredge in the flour mixture. Press gently fora thick, craggy crust. Let them rest on a rack for 10 minutes—this helps thecoating stick when frying.
  • Fry.Heat oil to 350°F. Fry the chicken in batches for about 5–6 minutes untilgolden brown and internal temp reaches 165°F. Don’t overcrowd the pan.
  • Make the hot sauce.Carefully mix 1/2 cup of the hot frying oil with cayenne, brown sugar, andspices. Brush generously over the fried tenders. That’s where the magichappens.