This recipe for Chipotle Chicken Tenders is a great option for those looking for a spicy and flavorful dish. The nuggets are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with a spicy kick from chipotle peppers. With just a few simple ingredients and a quick cook time, these nuggets are easy to prepare and perfect for a weeknight dinner or as an appetizer. In addition, this recipe doubles easily and freezes well.
For more chicken-inspired recipes, check out Baked chicken tenders, Baked Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders, and Chipotle Chicken Milanese.
Jump to:
- What are Chipotle Chicken Tenders?
- Why This Recipe Works
- Chipotle Chicken Tenders Ingredients
- Tools You’ll Need
- How to Make Chipotle Chicken Tenders
- Substitutions
- Variations
- How to Make Honey Mustard
- How To Serve
- How to Store & Reheat
- How to Make Ahead
- How to Freeze
- Tips for Making The Best Chipotle Chicken Tenders
- FAQ
- Related Recipes:
- Watch How to Make Chipotle Chicken Tenders
- 📖 Recipe
What are Chipotle Chicken Tenders?
Chipotle Chicken Tenders are a variation of chicken tenders flavored with chipotle peppers. Chipotle peppers are jalapeño peppers that have been dried and smoked. They add a smoky and spicy flavor to the tenders. Typically these tenders are breaded and deep fried or baked and served as an appetizer or entree dish. They can be paired with various dipping sauces or served on a bed of rice or salad.
Why This Recipe Works
This Chipotle Chicken Tenders recipe uses various ingredients to create a delicious and flavorful chipotle chicken nugget. The pickled brine not only adds a tangy flavor but also prevents the chicken from drying out. The chipotle powder provides a spicy kick, while the granulated onion and garlic add a depth of savory taste. Baking soda in the recipe reacts with the acid in the pickled juice, creating a crispy texture.
The egg whites, acting as a binding agent, hold the breading together and ensure that it adheres perfectly to the chicken. The combination of panko bread crumbs and flour gives a crunchy exterior and a satisfying bite. Finally, the peanut oil used for frying has a high smoke point and a neutral flavor, which results in a perfectly crispy and delicious nugget. These Chipotle Chicken Tenders can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or even as a main dish and are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Chipotle Chicken Tenders Ingredients
Note: The full ingredients list is provided in the recipe card below.
- Leftover Pickled Juice: It adds a tangy and acidic flavor. We used Sweet Heat Mt.Olive Brand.
- Chipotle powder: It provides a smoky and spicy flavor to the Chipotle Chicken Tenders.
- Granulated Onion and Granulated Garlic: It provides a savory flavor.
- Baking soda: It helps to make the tenders crispy by reacting with the acid in the pickled juice.
- Panko: It is a type of bread crumb that is often used for breading and gives a crispy texture.
- All-Purpose Flour: It is used to coat the chicken before breading, which helps the breading to adhere to the chicken.
- Egg whites: It is used as a binding agent and helps the breading to stick to the chicken. They can be replaced with whole eggs, but it’s important to note that they will give the tenders a different texture and flavor. Adding a splash of milk and a pinch of granulated garlic can enhance the flavor.
- Peanut oil: It is used for frying the tenders, which provides a high smoke point and a neutral flavor.
Tools You’ll Need
How to Make Chipotle Chicken Tenders
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
Whisk 2 cups of picked brine and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt in a large bowl until salt dissolves. Add the chicken pieces, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. Remove chicken from the brine and pat it dry with paper towels.
Combine 1 cup panko, 1 cup flour, 2 teaspoons granulated onion, 1 teaspoon granulated garlic, 2 teaspoons chipotle powder, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1-1/2 tablespoons powdered sugar, and baking powder in a shallow dish.
Whisk egg whites in a second shallow dish until foamy. Coat half the chicken pieces with the egg whites and dredge in flour mixture, pressing to adhere. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken.
Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 200 degrees. Set a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Add oil to a large high-sided frying pan until it measures 1 inch deep and heat over medium-high heat to 350 degrees.
Fry a few chicken tenders in the hot oil without overcrowding the pan for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking sheet and place it in the oven to keep them warm. Return oil to 350 degrees and repeat with the remaining chicken.
Substitutions
- Chicken: Instead of using chicken tender, you can cut chicken breast into 1- to 1 1/2-inch strip; ensure your strips are all the same size to cook evenly. For example, 1 chicken breast can yield 5 to 7 strips, depending on the width of the strips.
- Picked Brine: You can use 2 cups of water combined with 1 tablespoon kosher salt and 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce or 2 cups of water combined with 2 tablespoons kosher salt and 2 tablespoons light brown sugar in place of the picked juice brine.
Variations
How to Make Honey Mustard
Whisk the honey and mustard in a small bowl until smooth—season with kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste.
How To Serve
Chipotle Chicken Tenders can be served in a variety of ways depending on your preference. Some popular options include:
- As an appetizer: Serve the tenders with a variety of dipping sauces such as ranch, honey mustard, or BBQ sauce.
- As a main dish: Serve the tenders with a side of fries or a salad for a complete meal.
- In a sandwich: Serve the tenders in a bun with lettuce, tomato, and mayo for a spicy chicken sandwich.
- As a topping: Chop the tenders and use them as a topping for a salad or pizza.
- With a side of rice: Serve the tenders with a side of rice and beans for a complete Mexican-inspired meal.
- As a finger food for parties: you can serve them as finger food with some dips and garnishes.
Ultimately, how you serve the Chipotle Chicken Tenders is up to you; feel free to get creative with it.
How to Store & Reheat
Here are a few tips for storing and reheating Chipotle Chicken Tenders:
- Storing: Allow the Chipotle Chicken Tenders to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat the tenders, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the tenders on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until heated through and crispy. You can also reheat them in the microwave by placing them on a microwave-safe plate and heating them for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
- Crispiness: To restore crispiness, you can also reheat the tenders by shallow frying them in a pan with a bit of oil over medium heat until they are hot and crispy.
👀👉Note: It’s always best to reheat the Chipotle Chicken tenders in the oven or pan for better crispiness and texture.
How to Make Ahead
If you want to make ahead Chipotle Chicken Tenders, it is best to cook them according to the recipe instructions, then store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, reheat them in the oven or toaster oven to get them crispy again before serving. However, for optimal taste and texture, it is best to cook and serve the Chipotle Chicken Tenders as close to the time of consumption as possible.
How to Freeze
Let the fried Chipotle Chicken Tenders cool, transfer them to a zipper and freeze for up to 1 Month. To serve, adjust the oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Place tenders on a rimmed baking sheet and bake, flipping once until heated through about 15 minutes.
Tips for Making The Best Chipotle Chicken Tenders
Here are some tips to help you make the best Chipotle Chicken Tenders:
- Use Chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breast: It will give you tender and juicy tenders.
- Marinate the chicken: Marinating the chicken in a mixture of pickled juice will add a lot of flavor and make the chicken more tender.
- Use panko bread crumbs: Panko bread crumbs are larger and flakier than traditional breadcrumbs, which gives the tenders a nice crunch.
- Use a thermometer to check the temperature: To ensure that the tenders are cooked through, use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Experiment with dipping sauces: The tenders are great with a variety of dipping sauces, such as ranch, honey mustard, or BBQ sauce.
- Use a higher smoke point oil: Peanut oil is a great option for frying tenders because it has a high smoke point, which means it can be heated to a high temperature without smoking.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan: when frying the tenders, make sure not to overcrowd the pan, as it will lower the temperature of the oil and make them less crispy.
- Adjust the heat: If you want a spicier nugget, add more chipotle powder to the marinade or breading.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to make the best Chipotle Chicken Tenders that are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and packed with flavor.
FAQ
Can I use a different type of chicken?
Yes, you can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts if you prefer.
Can I make the Chicken Tenders in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the Chicken Tenders ahead of time by coating them in the flour, egg, and breadcrumb mixture and then storing them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before frying.
What can I serve with the Chicken Tenders?
Chicken Tenders are delicious served with a variety of dipping sauces such as ranch, barbecue, honey mustard, or sour cream. You can also serve them with a side of fries or a salad.
Can I bake these Tenders instead of frying them?
Yes, you can also bake the tenders in a preheated oven at 500°F for 12 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. See this👉Baked Chicken Tenders Recipe.
Can I adjust the level of spiciness?
Yes, you can adjust the level of spiciness by using more or less chipotle powder. You can also add some more spices like cumin, paprika, and onion powder, as per your preference.
Related Recipes:
Watch How to Make Chipotle Chicken Tenders
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📖 Recipe
Chipotle Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
For the Chipotle Chicken Tenders
- 2 lbs chicken tenders or boneless , or chicken breast cut into 1- to 1 1/2-inch strip; ensure your strips are all the same size to cook evenly. For example, 1 chicken breast can yield 5 to 7 strips, depending on the width of the strips.
- 2 Cups Leftover picked juice Brine (we used Sweet Heat Mt.Olive Brand) or 2 cups of water combined with 1 tablespoon kosher salt and 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt , divided
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 teaspoons granulated onion
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 2 teaspoons Chipotle powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1-1/2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 3 large egg whites or 2 large eggs , lightly beaten
- 1 quart peanut oil or vegetable oil
For the Honey Mustard Sauce
- 1/2 cup dijon mustard or yellow mustard
- 1/3 honey
- Ground black pepper , to taste
- Kosher salt , to taste
Instructions
- Whisk 2 cups of picked brine and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt in a large bowl until salt dissolves. Add the chicken pieces, cover, and refrigerate for 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. Remove chicken from the brine and pat it dry with paper towels.
- Combine 1 cup panko, 1 cup flour, 2 teaspoons granulated onion, 1 teaspoon granulated garlic, 2 teaspoons chipotle powder, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1-1/2 tablespoons powdered sugar, and baking powder in a shallow dish.
- Whisk egg whites in a second shallow dish until foamy. Coat half the chicken pieces with the egg whites and dredge in flour mixture, pressing to adhere. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining chicken.
- Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and heat the oven to 200 degrees. Set a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Add oil to a large high-sided frying pan until it measures 1 inch deep and heat over medium-high heat to 350 degrees.
- Fry a few chicken tenders in the hot oil without overcrowding the pan for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking sheet and place it in the oven to keep them warm. Return oil to 350 degrees and repeat with the remaining chicken.
Notes
- As an appetizer: Serve the tenders with a variety of dipping sauces such as ranch, honey mustard, or BBQ sauce.
- As a main dish: Serve the tenders with a side of fries or a salad for a complete meal.
- In a sandwich: Serve the tenders in a bun with lettuce, tomato, and mayo for a spicy chicken sandwich.
- As a topping: Chop the tenders and use them as a topping for a salad or pizza.
- With a side of rice: Serve the tenders with a side of rice and beans for a complete Mexican-inspired meal.
- a finger food for parties: you can serve them as finger food with some dips and garnishes. Ultimately, how you serve the Chipotle Chicken Tenders is up to you; feel free to get creative with it.
- Storing: Allow the Chipotle Chicken Tenders to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To reheat the tenders, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the tenders on a baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until heated through and crispy. You can also reheat them in the microwave by placing them on a microwave-safe plate and heating them for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
- Crispiness: To restore crispiness, you can also reheat the tenders by shallow frying them in a pan with a bit of oil over medium heat until they are hot and crispy. 👀👉Note: It's always best to reheat the Chipotle Chicken tenders in the oven or pan for better crispiness and texture.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
