Description
Craving bold flavor and irresistible crunch? These Crispy Southwest Chicken Tenders deliver just that, coated in a spiced cornmeal crust and fried to golden perfection. Paired with a smoky, creamy chipotle lime sauce, this dish brings the heat and tang in every bite. Whether you serve them as a game-day snack, weeknight dinner, or party platter centerpiece, these tenders will quickly become a household favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken:
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil for frying
Chipotle Lime Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon chipotle in adobo sauce, minced
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, soak chicken tenders in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes to tenderize and infuse flavor.
- In another bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. The oil should be deep enough to cover the bottom of the pan.
- Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the cornmeal mixture, pressing to coat thoroughly.
- Carefully add breaded tenders to hot oil in batches. Fry for 4–5 minutes per side, until crispy and golden. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, minced chipotle, lime juice, lime zest, and salt until smooth.
- Serve tenders hot with chipotle lime sauce drizzled on top or on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after frying to lock in juices and maintain crispness.
- Sauce can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For extra heat, double the chipotle or add a splash of hot sauce to the mayo blend.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Southwest, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 3–4 tenders with sauce
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg
Keywords: Southwest chicken tenders, chipotle lime sauce, crispy chicken, fried chicken strips, spicy chicken tenders