Crispy Chicken Strips Recipe: The Ultimate Homemade Comfort Food

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Chicken:

1.5 lbs chicken tenders or boneless chicken breasts (cut into strips)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika

For the Breading:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup breadcrumbs (Panko for extra crunch!)
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 large eggs

For Frying:

Vegetable oil for deep or shallow frying

👩‍🍳 How to Make Crispy Chicken Strips

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

In a bowl, combine chicken strips with buttermilk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours for maximum flavor and tenderness.

Step 2: Set Up Breading Stations

You’ll need 3 bowls:

Flour Mix: Combine flour, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Egg Wash: Whisk eggs until frothy.
Breadcrumbs: Use plain or seasoned Panko for crunch.

Step 3: Dredge and Coat

Remove chicken from marinade. Dredge each strip in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs. Press gently to make sure everything sticks.

Step 4: Fry to Perfection

Heat oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry the strips in batches for 4–5 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Don’t overcrowd the pan!

Want to bake instead? Bake at 400°F for 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Step 5: Drain and Serve

Place chicken strips on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Let rest 2 minutes before serving.

🍯 Dipping Sauce Ideas

No chicken strip is complete without a good dip! Try these:

🧄 Garlic Aioli
🍯 Honey Mustard
🥫 BBQ Sauce
🌶 Spicy Mayo
🍅 Classic Ketchup or Ranch

🔄 Variations to Try

🌶 Spicy Kick: Add cayenne to the flour mix
🧀 Cheesy Crust: Mix grated Parmesan with breadcrumbs
🌿 Herb-Infused: Add dried Italian herbs or rosemary
🌾 Gluten-Free: Use GF flour and crushed cornflakes or GF breadcrumbs

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Warm in a 375°F oven or air fryer for 5–7 minutes until crispy again.
Freeze: Freeze uncooked, breaded strips for up to 3 months. Fry or bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cook time.

📈 Nutrition Info (Approx. Per 2 Strips)

Calories: 320
Protein: 24g
Fat: 18g
Carbs: 22g
Sodium: 540mg

Nutrition varies depending on oil absorption and cooking method.

🍽 What to Serve with Chicken Strips

These crispy chicken strips go with almost everything! Try them with:

🥔 French fries or sweet potato wedges
🥗 A fresh garden or Caesar salad
🍚 Mashed potatoes or rice
🌽 Corn on the cob or roasted vegetables
🧀 Mac and cheese for the ultimate comfort meal

🧠 FAQs – Chicken Strip Edition

Q: Can I use an air fryer?
A: Absolutely! Air fry at 400°F for 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway through.

Q: Can I make these dairy-free?
A: Yes—use non-dairy milk and lemon juice instead of buttermilk.

Q: Why are my strips not crispy?
A: The oil might not be hot enough or the coating wasn’t pressed firmly. Make sure to fry in small batches and keep that oil temperature steady!

✅ Final Bite

These Crispy Chicken Strips are a total crowd-pleaser. Crunchy, juicy, and loaded with flavor, they’re perfect for game day, dinner, or any time you want fast-food flavor without leaving your kitchen.

Whether you're dipping them in ranch or devouring them straight off the plate, one thing is certain—they won't last long.

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