Appetizing Chicken Strips (The Cheesecake Factory Copycat)

The Cheesecake Factory has a big selection of meals ranging from sweet cakes and pastries to a variety of main courses and appetizers. This includes the flavorsome Kid’s Chicken Strips. Unfortunately, The Cheesecake Factory has discontinued serving these delicious chicken tenders for us to enjoy. Not to worry, because our copycat chicken strips recipe lets you recreate that amazing taste from the famous restaurant. 

These delicious chicken strips are easy to make and are wonderful to eat. It’s a recipe marinated with seasonings to give you an extra flavorful dish. Simply mix, coat, and fry then you’re done! Enjoy the crispiness of the outer layer combined with the delicate taste of the marinated chicken. You can also try exploring other copycat chicken recipes like our Domino’s Copycat Chicken Wings to expand your menu. Serve this meal with a partner dipping sauce and other side dishes.

Why Marinating Chicken Strips is the Best

Marinating is all about keeping the meat juicy and savory. It’s the first step to making this recipe a delectable dish. Marinating is an essential technique. It enhances the flavors of your chicken strips before you coat it with flour and bread crumbs for frying. While it prevents the chicken strips from drying out, the juices seeping into the meat makes it tender and chewy. The added buttermilk does the magic on the chicken, giving it a tenderly moist texture inside. After marinating, proceed to coat with the breadcrumbs, then fry.

Tip: Be careful not to over-fry your chicken. Check the temperature of the cooking oil. It shouldn’t be too high since it can burn the chicken breading. In contrast, low heat will make the chicken too dense and oily.

Our marinating ingredients are simple and accessible. All you need to have is your onion and garlic powders, sweet honey, some ranch dressing, and buttermilk. Combine all of these ingredients and you get the best tasting marinade for your chicken. We suggest soaking the chicken for at least 3 hours or overnight. This is so the chicken can absorb all of the delicious flavor of the sauce. It also makes it easier to coat the chicken in breadcrumbs afterwards.

How to Enjoy Your Fried Chicken Strips

The Best Dipping Sauces

This delicious meal is perfect for every mood. It’s a versatile meal that finds its taste in the accompanying sauces and side dishes. That’s why choosing the best dip and sides for you is our main priority. For a memorable experience with your delicious chicken strips, serve it with a variety of delightful dipping sauces: 

• Honey-Mustard Dip – It’s a classic dip with a combination of spices and sweetness that complements your dish.
• Ranch Sauce – Keep it simple with some tasty ranch dipping sauce for your chicken tenders.
• Blue Cheese Dressing – Combining the taste of aged cheese, garlic, onion, and parsley, a blue cheese dressing gives you that creamy and tangy taste which goes well with chicken tenders.

It’s the dipping sauce that makes a huge difference in enjoying and enhancing the taste of your chicken strips. Feel free to explore other kinds of sauces that satisfy your palate. You can also try adding some spiciness to your sauces for that extra kick! 

Simple and Delicious Side Dishes

Another combination that goes best with your chicken strips is adding some side dishes. These are some of our personal favorites:

• Copycat Steak ‘n Shake French Fries – It’s not just simple fries, but a copycat recipe of an even more delicious homemade French fries.
• Macaroni and Cheese – If you’re up for something cheesy, then go for the classic mac ‘n’ cheese side dish.
• Honey-Roasted Potatoes and Carrots – A sweet and savory side dish containing potatoes and carrots glazed with honey.
• Oven Roasted Red Potatoes and Asparagus – Taste this baked asparagus and potatoes for some delicious crunchy and seasoned goodness that goes well with this recipe.

Some people like to accompany their chicken tenders with some creamy pasta for a fuller meal. You can also add vegetable side dishes or fresh fruit slices. If simplicity is what you’re looking for, then you can stick with the classic fried chicken strips and crispy chips on the side.