Popeyes Chicken Tenders Copycat Recipe

Recipe Pin

Popeyes is known for serving some of the crispiest chicken tenders ever. Well, now I’ll tell you how you can make these crispy and tasty fantastic Popeyes Chicken Tenders at home.

Most people need help to understand the secret behind what makes the restaurant chain’s chicken so delicious.

The main secret is their Louisiana spice blend, which makes the chicken taste unlike any other you may have tried. The way they fry the chicken tenders also gives it an edge.

Although most of us may not have deep fryers at home, we can still manage with what we have. I may have intrigued you just enough now for you to try this fantastic recipe.

What's In The Post

Equipments Required

Bowls: Try keeping a few large bowls handy. One will be needed to prepare the buttermilk marinade for this recipe, one for the flour base, and the last one for eggs.
Whisk: I use a whisk to mix the eggs. When I don’t have a whisk, I also use a fork.
Measuring Cups And Spoons: This is not completely necessary, but keep both handy if you want your chicken tenders to taste exactly like the one you get at Popeyes.
Large Tray / Plate / Wire Rack: Either of the three will work perfectly fine, as we need the same to keep the chicken tenders on before they are ready to fry.
Large Pot: If you have a deep fryer, that’s even better! I don’t have one, so I use a large pot for frying the chicken tenders.
Food Thermometer: This will help measure the temperature of the oil before the chicken is fried.
Slotted Spoon: A slotted spoon is a better option for removing the chicken from the oil once it is fried, as it will help remove all the excess oil.
Paper Towels: I place these on the plate before transferring the fried chicken tenders, as paper towels will also help soak up all the excess oil.

Popeyes Chicken Tenders Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: This recipe makes four portions of chicken tenders.

2 Pounds Of Chicken Breasts: Cut these breasts into ¼ inch strips to get the perfect-sized chicken tenders.
1 Cup Buttermilk: I use fresh homemade buttermilk made by combining whole milk with vinegar, which helps tenderize the chicken and gives it its essential flavor.
1 Tablespoon Hot Sauce: We will add hot sauce to the buttermilk marinade so that the chicken absorbs more flavor.
1.5 Cups Flour: I recommend using all-purpose flour, as it will give the chicken strips a perfectly crispy coating.
1 Teaspoon Cajun Seasoning: Louisiana-style chicken tenders are complete with some cajun seasoning.
½ Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper: Add double the quantity if you want more heat.
1 Teaspoon Salt: Remember to add your choice; otherwise, the chicken will not taste well-seasoned!
2 Large Eggs

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Marination Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
20 Minutes	2 Hours	20 Minutes	2 Hours 40 Minutes

How To Make Popeyes Chicken Tenders At Home

Step 1

Place the cut chicken breast strips in a large bowl and dredge them with buttermilk until completely covered.

Step 2

Add hot sauce to the buttermilk marinade and mix.

Step 3

Once your marinade is ready, let the chicken strips marinate for at least two hours at room temperature or in the refrigerator if you would like to marinade them for longer.

Step 4

Add your measured all-purpose flour to a flat container or bowl.

Step 5

You can add seasonings like salt, cayenne pepper, and Cajun seasoning to the flour and ensure it is mixed well.

Step 6

Crack your eggs in a large bowl and whip them until the yolks and whites are mixed.

Step 7

Once the chicken has marinated for the right amount of time, arrange all three components of the dish—the chicken tenders soaked in buttermilk, eggs, and flour—in a row.

Step 8

Drench your chicken strips in flour, then in the egg mix, followed by the flour, and place them on a wire rack or a large tray.

Step 9

Heat your oil for frying till it comes to a temperature of 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 10

Add your prepared chicken strips to the hot oil and fry them for 5-6 minutes until golden brown or have an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Step 11

Once your chicken tenders are perfectly cooked, remove them from the oil with a slotted spoon, removing as much excess oil as possible. Place the same on a plate lined with paper towels to let go of any remaining oil, then enjoy!

Step 12

Your crispy Popeyes Chicken Tenders are ready.

Expert Tips That I Recommend

For extra flavor, I add some minced garlic to the buttermilk marinade.
I suggest always ensuring your oil is hot before frying the chicken strips. To be sure, fry a small piece of chicken before adding the rest.
If you want your chicken tenders to be hotter, you can add more cayenne pepper or chili powder to your flour mix.
My recommendation is not to overcrowd the frying pot. Adding too many tenders at a time will lower the oil’s overall temperature, resulting in soggy chicken tenders.
Let your chicken tenders sit on a wire rack or paper towels before you eat them to remove residual oil and improve their flavor.
If you would like to hold the temperature of the fried chicken tenders while you are frying the remaining batch, place them in an oven preheated to 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is enough to keep the tenders warm from the inside out.
If you want your chicken tenders to be exceptionally juicy and flavorful, try marinating them for 24 hours in the refrigerator. Trust me that does wonders for the chicken meat.
If you still want your chicken tenders to be hotter once fried, drench them in some peri-peri seasoning. I do that often, and the tenders taste heavenly.

FAQs About Popeyes Chicken Tenders

Why must the chicken strips be drenched in flour twice before frying?

These chicken strips are drenched in flour twice before they are fried to give them a decent coating of the flour, which helps the tenders get a perfectly crispy exterior.

How can you check if the chicken is cooked without a thermometer?

If you don’t have a thermometer, I suggest taking the chicken out of the frying pot after 5-6 minutes until it reaches the desired color. Then, poke the chicken tenders with a knife and check the color of the juices. If the juices are clear, your chicken tenders are ready.

Why does this chicken tenders recipe not use breadcrumbs?

This recipe uses all-purpose flour as the coating, so it does not need breadcrumbs. Coating the chicken tenders twice in flour gives them the same crispy texture as breadcrumbs.

Why are your chicken strips getting too dark even if you cook them for under five minutes?

This can happen if the oil is too hot or if you are frying your chicken strips at a very high temperature. Ensure that your flame is medium before you fry your chicken tenders, as a high flame will burn the exterior and leave the interior undercooked.

How can chicken strips be fixed if they look a bit too faint in color?

If your chicken strips are faint in color, they are not cooked well on the inside, either. So, the best thing to do is to add them back to the oil and let them fry further until you get the desired color.

Can these chicken tenders be fried at a very low temperature?

No, frying these chicken strips at a low temperature will leave them undercooked and might even ruin the coating on the outside. So, a medium set temperature is the best for this recipe.

What does soaking chicken strips in buttermilk do to them?

Soaking the chicken strips in buttermilk for a reasonable amount of time helps tenderize the meat and adds a lot more flavor to the chicken.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

These Popeyes Chicken Tenders are deep-fried and drenched in all-purpose flour, so they are not the healthiest option. Although a single portion does not have too many calories, it is very easy to overeat them and end up eating a lot more calories than necessary.

Calories	324 kcal
Carbohydrates	6 g
Protein	51 g
Fat	9 g
Saturated Fat	3 g
Polyunsaturated Fat	1 g
Monounsaturated Fat	2 g
Trans Fat	0.03 g
Cholesterol	155 mg
Sodium	1522 mg
Potassium	1000 mg
Fiber	1 g
Sugar	5 g
Vitamin A	575 IU
Vitamin C	3 mg
Calcium	123 mg
Iron	1 mg

Although these Popeyes Chicken Tenders have a high protein content, they still contain carbohydrates, and hence, they are not fit for a ketogenic diet. These tenders are also not the best option for those on a gluten-free diet, a dairy-free diet, vegans, vegetarians, or even a low-calorie diet for those trying to lose weight.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

Vegetarian / Vegan Diet: making this recipe for vegans, I recommend substituting the chicken with vegan chicken, also known as seitan. Instead of eggs, I choose plant-based milk, yogurt, or even a simple slurry made with flour and water. Lastly, I use buttermilk made with plant-based milk instead of dairy-based milk.
Gluten-Free Diet: People with celiac disease can use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour. Brown rice flour and millet flour are good substitute options that will give you a perfectly crispy chicken tender.
Dairy-Free Diet: People on a dairy-free diet can use buttermilk made with plant-based milk rather than regular dairy milk.
Keto Diet: To make this recipe keto, I substitute the same with a mix of equal parts of almond flour and keto breadcrumbs to get crispy chicken tenders.
Low-Calorie Diet: The only issue that people on a low-calorie diet will face is that the tenders are deep-fried. So, you can either bake or air-fry the tenders at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing These Chicken Tenders:

On The Counter: You can leave them on your kitchen counter, wrapped in aluminum foil to preserve their flavor. However, do not leave them out for longer than 2 hours.
In The Refrigerator: Storing these tenders in the refrigerator is best. Please place them in an airtight container and then in the fridge for up to two days.

Reheating These Chicken Tenders:

In A Microwave: Place the tenders on a microwave-safe plate and heat them at the highest heat setting of your microwave for 30-second intervals. Depending on the number of tenders you are heating at a time, it will take 2-3 minutes to get them piping hot. However, try not to overcrowd the plate and heat all the wings simultaneously.
In An Oven: Preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit and place the tenders on a wire rack. Place the wire rack in the preheated oven and let the tenders heat for 8-10 minutes, after which they will be piping hot and crispy. Flip them once while they are reheating to ensure they are heated evenly.
In An Air Fryer: You can also reheat these chicken tenders in an air fryer. Set the temperature of the air fryer to 250 degrees Fahrenheit, and let the tenders be for 8 minutes, flipping them halfway through for even heating.

What To Serve With This Recipe

My favorite way to enjoy these crispy tenders is always with dipping sauces, including ranch, chipotle, honey mustard, and some BBQ sauce. Pairing these tenders with a Green Caesar Salad is also a pretty good option to make it a balanced meal.

However, if you want to go out with these tenders, pair them with sides like Crispy Cajun fries, a hearty portion of Potato Wedges, or even Onion Rings.

I also make chicken sandwiches with these tenders, serving them between Fresh Buns or even Buttermilk Biscuits.