Crispy, crunchy Chic-fil-A Chicken Strips dipped in your favorite el pollo loco sauce! Easy to make and home and 100 times better than take out!
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❤️ Why you'll love this recipe
What's not to love? Just like Chic-fil-A Chicken Strips - only better! They are light and crispy. They take about 20 minutes to make (you can't get to the drive-thru and home that fast!) and filled with flavor - these are SO GOOD!!
🛒 Ingredients
For the exact measurements, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- flour, onion and garlic powder, paprika, pepper, salt and Frank’s Red Hot seasoning powder
- eggs
- bread crumbs - for extra crispy use Panko bread crumbs
- chicken tenderloins - you can substitute with sliced chicken breast.
⏲️ Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Heat the oil in a deep pan or skillet over medium heat.
- Combine all of the spices and flour together, place in a shallow pan.
- Beat the eggs in a shallow bowl.
- Place the bread crumbs in another shallow pan.
- Coat the chicken by dredging in the flour mixture, then the eggs, next the breadcrumbs. Dredge in the eggs again, and finally in the bread crumbs.
- Fry in the hot oil for 3-5 minutes on each side until golden and crispy.
- Drain the chicken strips on paper towels.
🙋🏼♀️ Recipe FAQ's
That means your oil is too hot. It overcooks the coating before the inside is done. Use an instant read thermometer. The proper temperature for the oil is 350 degrees.
Use a neutral oil like canola, vegetable, corn or peanut oil. They have a higher smoke point and will lessen the chances of burning the chicken keeping it light and crispy!
Allow the chicken to come to room temperature and cooking them quickly with the oil at the correct temperature.
✔️ Tips
There is a small tendon in the tenderloin that is tough. It doesn't hurt to eat it, but a quick tug will remove it and make the meat more tender.
Don't overcook the chicken. That makes it dry and chewy. Use a meat thermometer. The chicken is done when the internal temperature is 165 degrees.
🥣 Variations
If you don't want them to be too spicy, just cut the amount of hot seasoning powder in half.
What if you don't have Frank's Red Hot seasoning powder? No problem, substitute with your favorite seasoning, like Montreal Steak Seasoning or a great dry rub. You just need to watch the salt content, so they don't get too salty.
Got leftovers? Refrigerated biscuits make great slider buns, add the chicken, top with bbq sauce and you have another great meal!
Reheat in the oven or with your air fryer. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake for 10-15 minutes and they will crisp right up!
😋 Related Recipes
My goodness these chicken strips are AMAZING and when it comes to dipping sauce, yes... you can use ranch or blue cheese salad dressing.
I really want you to try these with pollo tropical cilantro garlic sauce or alabama white bbq sauce or some sweet Jezebel Sauce. Oh my it takes these totally to the next level!
Serve with this semi-homemade jiffy skillet cornbread. It's the best and super simple to make. Of course French fries or tatter tots are a given!
I like serving this with a salad with a vinegary bite, like Mexican coleslaw. It cuts through the richness of the fried chicken tenders - YUM!!!
When you make this please be sure to tag me on Instagram @bowl_me_over or #bowlmeover - I'd love to see your photos!
If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
🍳 Recipe
Chic-fil-A Chicken Strips
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup Frank’s Red Hot seasoning powder
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet to 350 degrees.
- Add the flour, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, pepper, salt, and Frank’s Red Hot seasoning powder in to a shallow bowl. Whisk to combine.
- Beat the eggs in a second shallow bowl.
- In a third bowl, add the bread crumbs.
- Coat the chicken first by dredging in the flour mixture, then the eggs, next the breadcrumbs. Dredge in the eggs again, and finally in the bread crumbs.
- Fry in the hot oil for 3-5 minutes on each side, making sure the chicken is completely cooked. Use an instant read thermometer. When the internal temperature 165 degrees, the chicken is cooked.
- Drain the chicken strips on paper towels or a wire rack to remove excess oil.
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