Crispy Chicken Tenders with Sweet Pepper Relish Dip

These chicken tenders are coated with cracker crumbs and fried until crispy. No doughy coating here, just light and crunchy goodness! The sweet pepper relish dip couldn’t be easier to make. You will want to slather it on everything!

Try these tenders with Roasted Black Pepper Caesar Salad with Pancetta for a tasty lunch or dinner.

They say the third time is a charm, and I hope it’s true. Why? It’s because I’m publishing this post for the THIRD time! The previous update was made when I did some photo editing to improve the image quality. However, I was still unsatisfied with the composition. This is my final tweak; then I’ll call it quits. I promise! 

I’m only updating again because the tenders are so good, and I need to do them justice with better photos. I’m much happier with these new ones! To make it worth while for you to revisit this recipe, I have added some step-by-step photos as well.

Usually, I dream about eating fried chicken but don’t actually partake. Gotta tell you, an occasional frying really soothes the soul!! For a healthier alternative, baking is perfectly delicious. Just spray the cracker coating with cooking spray, and it will crisp up beautifully oven-baked. 

Recipe highlights:

• Smash or crush crackers into coarse crumbs. Place in a shallow bowl.
• Whisk egg and milk in a shallow bowl.
• Blend flour and seasoning in a third shallow bowl. 

• For each chicken tender, coat as follows: dip in flour, dip in egg wash, dip in cracker crumbs.    

• Working in batches, fry in oil for 6-8 minutes total. Transfer to a cooling rack.

• Combine dip ingredients until creamy. Serve.
• See the recipe card for detailed instructions.

The crackers produce a crumb coating that is irresistibly light and crunchy. You’re not going to find any heavy clumps of dough in these tenders. I love battered and fried food, but I always end up picking the doughy pieces off. What I want are ALL the crispy bits!! These tenders are covered with them.  

Paired with these tenders is a sweet pepper relish dip, which takes all but a minute to make. With mayonnaise, sour cream, ketchup, and sweet pepper relish, it’s a tasty, fantastic condiment. It’s creamy and sweet and tangy, with tender chunks of tender sweet red pepper.   

You’re going to want to make extra of this dip because it’s a great all-purpose dip.  It’s delish on crackers, chips, and bagels. It would also be so good as a spread on sandwiches!

Helpful tips:

• Avoid smashing all the crackers into fine crumbs. You want a good amount of coarse crumbs for texture and crunch.
• To retain the crispiness, it is best to place the tenders on a cooling rack to drain once removed from the oil. This allows circulation and prevents a soggy underside.
• Chicken tenders vary in size. The cooking time given is for standard size. Adjust cooking time as needed for larger or smaller pieces.
• To keep chicken tenders warm while you work, place cooked tenders in a 170° F on a baking sheet fitted with a cooling rack. 

Recommended supplies:

(Affiliate links. The products I recommend are either what I use, are on my wish list, or come highly rated.)

• This 12-inch stainless steel skillet is large enough to minimize the number of batches you need to cook. It comes with a glass cover, too.
• This grease splatter screen reduces the amount of splashing and cleanup after any frying job.
• I have this half sheet baking sheet. It comes with a cooling rack. It might be a little larger than you need for this recipe, but it’s also nice and roomy for sheet pan cooking.

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Crispy Chicken Tenders with Sweet Pepper Relish Dip

Author: Thao | In Good Flavor Cooking Method:Frying Cuisine:American Courses:Main Dish Recipe Keys: High Protein

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 25 minutesCook time: 20 minutesTotal time: 45 minutesServings:14 Pieces

Description

These chicken tenders are coated with cracker crumbs and fried until crispy. No doughy coating here, just light and crunchy goodness! The sweet pepper relish dip couldn’t be easier to make. You will want to slather it on everything!

Ingredients

For the chicken:

• 2 pounds chicken tenderloins (about 12 to 14 pieces depending on the size)
• 50 butter flavored crackers (I use Ritz)
• 1 cup flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 eggs
• 3 tablespoons milk
• canola or vegetable oil for frying

For the sweet pepper relish dip:

• 3/4 cup sweet pepper relish 
• 1/8 cup sour cream
• 1/8 cup mayonnaise
• 1/8 cup ketchup

Instructions

1. Place crackers in a large plastic bag. Lightly smash into coarse crumbs using a coffee cup or your hands. You want to leave a good amount of coarse crumbs (yields about  1 1/2 cups of crumbs). Place in a plate or a wide shallow bowl.
2. Combine flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika in a wide shallow bowl. Blend well with a fork. 
3. In a third bowl, whisk and add eggs and milk. 
4. To bread chicken: dip into flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip into egg mixture. Next, dip into cracker crumbs, patting crumbs onto the chicken. Place on a tray. Continue breading the remaining chicken. 
5. Place one inch of oil in a medium frying pan or heavy bottom saucepan that is at least 2 inches deep. Preheat to 360° F. 
6. Place some tenders into hot oil (cook in batches to avoid overcrowding). Cook between 6 to 8 minutes total, depending on the size, turning over once halfway. Done when the outside is golden brown or when there is no pink in the center when sliced through. 
7. Place on a metal drying rack to drain. Continue cooking the remaining chicken. 
8. To make the dip: combine red pepper relish, sour cream, mayonnaise, and ketchup in a small bowl. Serve alongside chicken tenders. 
9. Makes 12 to 14 pieces depending on size.

Notes:

• To retain maximum crispiness, cool completely before placing chicken tenders in a container to store. 
• Baking option: Place tenders on a baking sheet that has been coated with cooking spray. Spray chicken tenders with a coating of cooking spray. Bake in a preheated 400° F for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the tenders. Or cook until the internal temperature is 165° F.
• To reheat: preheat oven to 400° F. Place tenders on a baking sheet equipped with a wire rack.  Place in the oven. Insert an empty rack above the chicken. Place a sheet of foil on this rack, positioned directly over the baking sheet below (this protects the chicken from over browning). Bake for 10 minutes or just long enough to heat through. 

Keywords:Chicken Tenders, Crispy Chicken Tenders, Fried Chicken

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