Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders Recipe
If your chicken tenders usually turn out bland, soggy, or dry under the breading, this recipe fixes all of that. My method gives you juicy chicken, crispy coating that actually sticks, and Nashville hot flavor in every single bite, not just on the surface. I’ve been sharing recipes online for over 10 years, including tons of air fryer and crispy chicken recipes, so I know exactly what keeps breading crunchy instead of greasy.
Servings 4 servings
Calories 361kcal
Ingredients
- 1 pound skinless chicken tenders
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- cooking oil spray I use olive oil.
Nashville Hot Sauce Mixture
- ¼ cup Hot Sauce
- ¼ cup melted unsalted butter Measured solid.
- 1-2 teaspoons cayenne pepper See notes.
- 2 tablespoons brown sweetener or sugar
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
Instructions
- Combine the flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste in a bowl large enough to dredge the chicken tenders.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and egg in a bowl large enough to dredge the chicken.
- Dredge the chicken tenders in the flour mixture, then the buttermilk and egg mixture, and again in the flour mixture. Keep a moist towel nearby. Your hands will get sticky.
Air Fryer Instructions
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil. Add the breaded tenders to the basket. Spritz the tenders with cooking oil spray.
- Air fry for 8 minutes at 400 degrees.
- Open the air fryer and flip the tenders. Be careful so that you do not lose any of the breading. Air fry for an additional 4-8 minutes at 400 degrees or until the chicken is crisp.
- Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Combine the melted butter, Louisiana Hot Sauce, cayenne pepper, brown sweetener or sugar, smoked paprika, and chili powder in a bowl. Taste the sauce repeatedly and make adjustments as needed. The sauce will provide the flavor for the chicken tenders.
- Remove the tenders from the air fryer. Drizzle the tenders in the hot sauce mixture.
- Serve.
Oven Baking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place an oven-safe baking rack on a baking sheet or a sheet pan. Lightly spray with non-stick spray. (The baking rack will produce crispy tenders and is optional. You can use just the sheet pan with parchment paper if you wish).
- Place the breaded tenders on the rack or sheet pan. Spritz the tenders with cooking oil spray.
- Bake for 10 minutes.
- Flip each chicken tender, be careful so that you do not lose any of the breading. Bake for another 10 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Combine the melted butter, Louisiana Hot Sauce, cayenne pepper, brown sweetener or sugar, smoked paprika, and chili powder in a bowl. Taste the sauce repeatedly and make adjustments as needed. The sauce will provide the flavor for the chicken tenders.
- Remove the tenders from the oven. Drizzle the tenders in the hot sauce mixture.
- Serve.
Notes
If you want mild heat on the lower end of the spectrum, I recommend using The Original Brand Louisiana Hot Sauce.
If you want medium-level spice, I recommend using The Original Brand Louisiana Hot Sauce with 1-2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper.
If you want hot, I recommend using Louisiana's Hotter than Hot Sauce along with 1-2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 361kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 14g