Why Make This Recipe
If you love chicken tenders, you’ll adore this copycat Cane’s Chicken Tenders Recipe. These tenders are irresistibly juicy, flavorful, and perfectly crispy. They make a great meal any time of the day, whether you’re having lunch, dinner, or a late-night snack. Plus, you can make them at home with simple ingredients!
How to Make Irresistibly Juicy Copycat Cane’s Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts or tenderloins
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
- In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Once well combined, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- If you are using chicken breasts, cut them into three vertical strips. If you have tenderloins, simply remove the tendons.
- In a resealable bag, mix the buttermilk with half of the Cajun seasoning. Add the chicken strips to the bag, seal it, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- In a shallow dish, mix the remaining Cajun seasoning with the flour. Take each chicken strip and press it into the flour mixture until fully coated.
- Heat the oil to 350°F. Fry 3-4 strips at a time for about 4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown.
- If using an air fryer, preheat it to 400°F. Cook the chicken tenders for about 8-16 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking.
- Serve the chicken tenders hot with your homemade Cane’s sauce.
How to Serve Irresistibly Juicy Copycat Cane’s Chicken Tenders
These chicken tenders are delicious when served with your favorite dipping sauces. They go great with fries, coleslaw, or a fresh salad. You can enjoy them as a meal, snack, or party food.
How to Store Irresistibly Juicy Copycat Cane’s Chicken Tenders
If you have leftovers, let the chicken cool to room temperature. Then, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. Just make sure to reheat them thoroughly before eating.
Tips to Make Irresistibly Juicy Copycat Cane’s Chicken Tenders
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken longer than 1 hour.
- Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying to avoid greasy chicken.
- If you want a gluten-free option, you can use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour.
Variation
You can spice things up by adding more Cajun seasoning if you like it hot. Another variation is to use different sauces for dipping, such as barbecue sauce or honey mustard.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of chicken?
Yes, you can use chicken thighs, but it is best to cut them into smaller pieces for even cooking.
Can I bake the chicken tenders instead of frying them?
Yes, you can bake them in the oven at 425°F for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! These chicken tenders can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer for later use.
Copycat Cane’s Chicken Tenders
- Total Time: 106 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Paleo
Description
Juicy and flavorful chicken tenders that are a perfect copycat recipe for Cane’s, crispy and delicious for any meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts or tenderloins
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and black pepper. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- If using chicken breasts, cut into three vertical strips or use tenderloins after removing tendons.
- In a resealable bag, mix buttermilk with half of the Cajun seasoning. Add chicken strips, seal, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- In a shallow dish, mix remaining Cajun seasoning with flour. Coat each chicken strip in the flour mixture.
- Heat oil to 350°F. Fry 3-4 strips for about 4 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- For air fryer, preheat to 400°F and cook chicken tenders for about 8-16 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Serve hot with homemade Cane’s sauce.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate chicken longer than 1 hour. Ensure oil is hot enough before frying to avoid greasy chicken. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free flour.
- Prep Time: 90 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying or Air Frying
- Cuisine: American