Name: Copycat Culver’s Chicken Tenders Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 3
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb chicken tenders; 1½ cups buttermilk; ¼ tsp cayenne pepper; ¼ tsp garlic powder; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; salt and ground black pepper; 1¼ tsp paprika; vegetable oil; potato fries; mayonnaise; barbeque sauce

Photos of Copycat Culver’s Chicken Tenders Recipe

Wondering what to make with chicken tenders? This Copycat Culver’s Original Chicken Tenders Recipe is a definite favorite amongst children and adults alike! Recreate the crispy and flavorful chicken tenders for lunch and serve it with your favorite sauces. And if you’re a fan of the fast-food chain’s burger, our version of the indulgent Culver’s Butter Burgers is the perfect main dish if you’re afraid you’ll finish the fried chicken tenders in just five seconds.

You can also serve them as finger food to your guests at parties. It’s a simple but delectable option for when you want something easy to prepare. In addition to that, our copycat easy chicken tenders recipe is easy to make as well!

Ingredients for the Copycat Culver’s Chicken Tenders Recipe

Culver’s Trademark Crispy Chicken Tenders

If not the best, Culver’s Chicken Tenders is one of the most delightful chicken tenders you’ll ever taste. Just like the rest of their menu, the chicken tenders are cooked to order which adds to the fresh and crispy deliciousness of the breaded chicken tenders.

The Midwest’s favorite fast-food chain has a variety of food that pleases both our savory and sweet taste buds. Their extensive menu ranges from a scrumptious Tuna Melt to a refreshing Lemon Ice Smoothie.

The fast-food gem’s Chicken Tenders got its name from the actual cut of tender whole white meat. It is also made even flavorful with paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.

And no, the breading is not a distraction from the quality of the chicken. Not only is the chicken a good quality but the taste is a game-changer just like Culver’s Fried Chicken. Their fried chicken is such a crowd-pleaser, we even made our own Copycat Culver’s Fried Chicken Basket Recipe.

The Culver’s chicken tenders are such a hit to the Midwest, they released a spicy buffalo version. Their spicy Buffalo Chicken Tenders is loved because of its flavorsome blend of paprika, chili peppers, and black pepper spices. Head to our tips and variations heading if you want to try this one!

Preparing the Copycat Culver’s Chicken Tenders Recipe

Our Crispy Chicken Tenders Recipe Just Like Culver’s

Packed with flavor, this Culver’s chicken tenders recipe allows you to enjoy a family-friendly meal any day of the week. Surely, you won’t be able to get enough of them after just one bite.

For this recipe, we’ll be using buttermilk to tenderize our chicken. Buttermilk is the perfect addition to our fried chicken tenders recipe to better tenderize our chicken without toughening up our chicken breast. The enzymes in the buttermilk break down the protein in our chicken making it an even tastier crispy chicken tenders. If you’re looking for more buttermilk recipes to try, our creamy buttermilk selection ranges from savory chicken to sweet pancakes that surely you won’t be able to resist.

Although our buttermilk chicken tenders recipe is tasty as it is, marinating our chicken tenders in paprika, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder will add an extra kick to it. Although it’s tempting to coat your homemade chicken tenders with a heavy coating of flour, a thin layer of coating will give our chicken tenders recipe a light, and addictive crust. A heavy flour coating will result in soggy and greasy breaded chicken tenders.

Crispy chicken tenders not enough to satisfy that Culver’s craving? Our version of the creamy Culver’s Chocolate Malt might hit the spot! This rich and sweet famous shake pairs well with the savory fried chicken tenders you won’t be sharing it with anyone.

Finishing Touches for the Copycat Culver’s Chicken Tenders Recipe

Tips In Making Chicken Tenders And More Variations To Try

These buttermilk chicken tenders are crunchy on the outside, but nice and juicy on the inside. They’re great on their own but work just as well with other dishes. What’s not to love about them?

Looking for healthier alternatives to cook your crispy chicken tenders? This crispy chicken tenders recipe can be an air fryer chicken tender too. Air fried chicken tenders are crispier than ones that are cooked in the oven.

To air-fry, your chicken tenders, preheat your air-fryer three minutes before you place your chicken in. Air-fry it for five to six minutes on each side and once the chickens are crispy and golden, voila! Your air fried chicken tenders are good to go!

Baking your chicken tenders is one of the healthier options too. Just like our scrumptious Diabetic-Friendly Oven-Baked Chicken Tender Recipe. And just like deep-fried chicken tenders, our oven baked chicken tenders have a crunchy coating on the outside and a juicy inside! Our chicken tenders are so flavorful, you’ll forget that it’s a diabetic alternative!

Love a good hot-and-spicy homemade chicken tenders moment? Add an extra dash of cayenne pepper and paprika to your chicken tenders and turn it into a spicy chicken tenders recipe. Bacon wrapped chicken tenders might also do the trick for those bacon-addict guests. Surely, they’ll be asking for more.

We love a versatile and uncomplicated dish. Thus, this homemade chicken tenders recipe is great to always have on hand. Without a doubt, this meal will become an instant hit with your friends and family. So, go ahead and try out this recipe for yourself. You can’t go wrong when you have these chicken tenders on your menu.

How To Make Copycat Culver's Chicken Tenders

Enjoy a family-friendly meal with our version of Culver’s Chicken Tenders! Enjoy delicious chicken pieces made extra tender with buttermilk and a sprinkle of flavorful spices.

Prep: 20 mins

Cook: 30 mins

Total: 50 mins

Serves:

Ingredients

1 lb chicken tenders, or skinless, cut into strips, chicken breast
1½ cups buttermilk
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
¼ tsp garlic powder
1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
1 tsp baking powder
salt and ground black pepper, for seasoning and to taste
1¼ tsp paprika, divided
vegetable oil, for frying

To Serve:

potato fries, or sweet potato, of your choice
mayonnaise
barbeque sauce

Instructions

In a bowl, combine the ½ cup of flour, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, 1½ tablespoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of paprika.
Add in the chicken and ensure that the meat is generously covered with the flour and seasoning.
In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, 1 teaspoon of paprika, pinches of salt and black pepper, and buttermilk. Mix well to make the batter.
Marinate the chicken in the buttermilk.
Next, prepare a pot for deep frying and prepare a tray lined with some paper towels. Take out the chicken and shake off the excess marinade.
Carefully lower the chicken pieces into the hot oil and allow to cook for 3 to 5 minutes until it turns golden brown.
Once cooked, remove the chicken and place on the paper towel to absorb excess oil. Repeat until all the chicken pieces have been fried.
Serve with mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, and a side of fries, and enjoy!

Nutrition

Sugar: 6g
:
Calcium: 231mg
Calories: 401kcal
Carbohydrates: 38g
Cholesterol: 110mg
Fat: 8g
Fiber: 1g
Iron: 3mg
Monounsaturated Fat: 2g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
Potassium: 777mg
Protein: 40g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Sodium: 444mg
Trans Fat: 1g
Vitamin A: 377IU
Vitamin C: 5mg

Nutrition Disclaimer

Want to share your own tips or discuss this copycat Culver's chicken tenders recipe further? Head over to the Recipe Sharing section of our forum to join the conversation!

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Commonly Asked Questions

What do I serve with chicken tenders?

Culver’s chicken tenders are great on their own, but if you want to complement it with some sides, we recommend going for some simple classics, like our tangy Golden Gate Coleslaw and our Loaded Mashed Potatoes. Nothing beats a sweet coleslaw side dish and a creamy mashed potato paired with juicy chicken tenders. For a balanced meal, pairing it with a healthy and delicious salad won’t ruin your healthy eating habits

Can you freeze already cooked chicken tenders?

Cooked chicken tenders that are properly stored can last up to two days. Store your leftover cooked chicken tenders in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. You can also freeze your chicken tenders for up to 2 to 3 months as long as it is properly wrapped in an airtight container. Thaw your frozen chicken tenders before reheating and serving.

How can I reheat chicken tenders without making it soggy?

It’s tricky to reheat your chicken tenders without making it soggy. The best way to make it crispy after a day or two in the fridge is to reheat them in your oven. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Before placing your chicken tenders inside, arrange them in a baking sheet on top of a foil then insulate your chicken by again covering them with a foil. Enjoy the crispiness of your chicken tenders after 20 minutes of baking it in your oven.

Conclusion

Crispy on the outside yet juicy on the inside, these chicken tenders are a great go-to when you want a no-brainer meal that will satisfy anyone. Enjoy them with friends and family for a meal that's delicious and easy to eat! There's nothing wrong with something simple, especially when you serve something as delicious as these chicken tenders.