Skillet Chicken Tenders

Looking down into a skillet with golden brown chicken tenders sizzling in the oil.

Although some people think it is too much effort to bread/crumb your own meat to make skillet chicken tenders, it is totally worth the effort. The flavor and quality of crumb coating are better than many store-bought equivalents, often with a much better chicken-to-crumb ratio.

Easily cooked in a skillet over fire or gas chicken tenders are a great camping choice, and can satisfy the fussiest, fast-food-loving kids. They resemble their favorite kid’s item menu found at most restaurants.

Originally chicken tenders were actually in reference to the tenderloins, but as time has gone on the name seems to now include any cut of the chicken, even thighs, with the tender being a reference to the meat being tender.  

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Raw crumbed chicken tenders frying in a skillet.
The breadcrumbs stay on the chicken better if the ample butter and oil very warm but not too hot.
A raw chicken breast cut into strip slices.
Chicken tenders originally referenced tenderloins, but now are often made of chicken breast.
Looking down into a skillet with golden brown chicken tenders sizzling in the oil.
As the chicken is so thin the inside is typically cooked by the time the crumbs are brown.

Skillet Chicken Tenders Recipe

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Looking down into a skillet with golden brown chicken tenders sizzling in the oil.
Although some people think it is too much effort in breading/crumbing, it is totally worth the effort to make your own camp chicken tenders.
Preparation 25 minutes
Cook 15 minutes
Ready in 40 minutes
Servings 4 Servings
CourseMain Dish
InfluenceGlobal
DifficultySeasoned
MethodFry

Ingredients

  • 1 cup all purpose (plain flour)
  • 2 teaspoons favorite rub
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 cups fine dry breadcrumbs
  • 4 chicken breasts
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

Equipment

  • 3 shallow bowls
  • 12 inch or bigger skillet

Directions

  • Lay out the three shallow bowls, in the first combine the flour and rub, in the second whisk together the egg and milk, and in the third add the breadcrumbs.
  • Lay out the each chicken breast and slice into even pieces. Alternately the chicken breast can be exchanged for an equivalent weight of chicken tenderloins.
  • One piece of chicken at a time move them from one bowl to the next covering completely. First they are dusted in the seasoned flour, then dipped in the egg, and finally covered in a coat of breadcrumbs.
  • If there is time place the crumbed chicken in a cooler to chill while preparing the skillet.
  • Heat the skillet to a medium temperature.
    Tip: If the skillet gets too hot the breadcrumbs can easily burn will the chicken inside doesn’t get a chance to cook.
  • Add the butter and olive oil and leave to melt.
    Tip: The combination of the two oils creates a pleasing taste and seems to reduce the burning of the butter solids.
  • Place the breaded/crumbed chicken in the heated skillet and cook until golden brown then turn and cook the other side. By the time it is brown the inside will also be cooked, however if in doubt check the internal temperature which should be at or over 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 807kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 60gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 217mgSodium: 769mgPotassium: 1022mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 559IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 158mgIron: 6mg

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Portrait Photo of Saffron Hodgson cooking on a Camp Stove with a campfire in the background

About Saffron Hodgson

Outdoor cooking has been Saffron’s passion since she was young, often choosing to go camping and cook hearty meals over fire rather than stay inside, watch TV, and eat take-out. Today she is the driving force of Bush Cooking bringing the skills of cooking outdoors to thousands of people.

Learn more about Saffron Hodgson
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