Secret Copycat KFC Crispy Chicken Strips Recipe

Love those crispy chicken strips from KFC? Now you can make a homemade version with simple ingredients and a few easy steps. This kfc crispy chicken strips recipe gives you crunchy, golden breading on the outside and tender, juicy chicken inside.

These copycat KFC chicken strips use whole pieces of chicken breast instead of ground chicken. The chicken is marinated in buttermilk and hot sauce, coated in seasoned flour, and fried until crisp. You get all the fun of fried chicken without the bones.

This is an easy chicken tenders recipe for dinner, game day, cookouts, or anytime you want crispy chicken at home. Serve the strips with your favorite dipping sauce, and don’t be surprised if everyone asks for seconds!

What Are KFC Chicken Strips?

KFC chicken strips are made with boneless pieces of chicken breast that are cut into long strips and coated in seasoned breading. They are similar to chicken tenders, although the terms are often used interchangeably.

The exact KFC seasoning blend is a closely guarded secret, so this recipe isn’t an official restaurant recipe. It is a homemade version inspired by the crunchy coating, savory seasoning, and juicy chicken people love.

You may see this recipe called a kentucky fried chicken tenders recipe, a kfc chicken fingers recipe, or a kfc tenders recipe. They all describe the same basic idea, boneless chicken pieces with a crispy coating and a dipping sauce on the side.

Why You’ll Love This Copycat KFC Recipe

• The chicken stays juicy while the coating turns golden and crunchy.
• Buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken before frying.
• The seasoning uses everyday pantry ingredients.
• You can make the strips mild or spicy.
• The chicken can be fried or cooked in an air fryer.
• The recipe works for dinner, parties, barbecues, and snacking.

Ingredients for Copycat KFC Chicken Tenders

Here is what you need to make this homemade version of crispy chicken tenders KFC style:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• All-purpose flour
• Water
• Buttermilk
• Hot sauce
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Baking powder
• Canola oil, such as Wesson, for frying

The baking powder helps make the coating light and crisp. The hot sauce adds flavor without making the chicken spicy. You can add more hot sauce or a little cayenne pepper if you like extra heat.

What If You Don’t Have Buttermilk?

No buttermilk in the refrigerator? You can make a quick substitute.

Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1 cup of milk. Stir it and let it sit for about 5 minutes. The milk will look slightly thickened, and it will work in the marinade.

Plain yogurt is another option. Thin it with a little milk or water until it has the same consistency as buttermilk.

For a dairy-free version, use unsweetened dairy-free milk mixed with lemon juice or vinegar. The flavor will be a little different, but the acidic mixture will still help tenderize the chicken.

How to Make KFC Chicken Strips

1. Marinate the chicken

Place the buttermilk and hot sauce in a large bowl. Add the chicken strips and stir so every piece is covered.

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the chicken for 1 hour. This gives the buttermilk time to tenderize the chicken and lets the hot sauce add flavor.

2. Prepare the coating

Place the flour, baking powder, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt in another large bowl. Whisk everything together.

Pour the water into a separate bowl. You will use it between the flour coatings to create those little crispy bits in the breading.

3. Coat the chicken

Remove a chicken strip from the buttermilk marinade and let the excess drip off.

Coat it in the seasoned flour. Dip it briefly into the water, then place it back into the flour mixture. Press the flour onto the chicken so the coating sticks.

Repeat with the remaining chicken strips.

This wet and dry coating method is the little trick that helps create copycat KFC extra crispy chicken at home. If you want an even thicker coating, repeat the flour and water steps one more time.

4. Heat the oil

Pour the canola oil into a deep fryer or large, heavy pot. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F.

Use a candy thermometer or frying thermometer to check the temperature. Don’t add the chicken while the oil is still heating. Oil that isn’t hot enough can make the breading greasy and soft.

5. Fry the chicken

Carefully place the coated chicken strips into the hot oil. Work in batches so the pot doesn’t become crowded.

Fry the chicken for 8 to 10 minutes, turning as needed, until the breading is golden brown and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F.

Transfer the cooked strips to a paper towel-lined plate or baking sheet to drain.

How to Keep Chicken Strips Crispy and Hot

When you are frying several batches, place the finished chicken strips on a baking sheet and keep them in a 250-degree F oven.

Don’t cover the chicken. Covering it traps steam, and that steam can make the coating soggy. The low oven temperature keeps the strips warm without drying them out.

A wire rack set over the baking sheet is even better because air can circulate around the chicken. This helps the bottom stay crisp while the next batch cooks.

Tips for the Best Chicken Strips Recipe

• Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Chicken with skin or bones won’t work well for this recipe.
• Cut the chicken into pieces that are close to the same size so they cook evenly.
• Let the chicken marinate for the full hour for the best texture.
• Press the seasoned flour onto each strip so the coating stays attached.
• Don’t overcrowd the pot. Too much chicken at once lowers the oil temperature.
• Check the oil between batches and let it return to 350 degrees F before adding more chicken.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the center of the thickest strip.
• Keep cooked strips uncovered in a low oven so they stay warm and crisp.

If your breading turns soggy, the oil was probably too cool, the pot was overcrowded, or the chicken was covered while it was still hot. If the outside browns before the center is cooked, the oil may be too hot or the chicken pieces may be too thick.

Are These Spicy Chicken Strips?

No, these chicken strips are mild. The small amount of hot sauce in the marinade adds flavor, but it doesn’t make the chicken hot. My daughter doesn’t like spicy food, and she loves these chicken fingers.

To make spicy strips, add more hot sauce to the buttermilk or mix cayenne pepper into the seasoned flour. You can also serve them with buffalo sauce for extra heat.

Can You Make KFC Chicken Strips in the Air Fryer?

Yes! An air fryer is a good choice when you want less oil and less mess. I love my air fryer and use it all the time, but sometimes you just need that deep-fried flavor.

To cook the strips in an air fryer:

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F.

Spray the basket with cooking spray.

Place the coated chicken strips in the basket in a single layer.

Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray.

Cook for about 8 minutes, turning halfway through.

Check that the chicken reaches 165 degrees F before serving.

Don’t crowd the basket. Depending on its size, you may need to cook the chicken in several batches. A Ninja, Cosori, or Instant Pot air fryer can work well for this method.

The air fryer coating won’t be exactly the same as fried chicken, but it will still give you crunchy crispy strips KFC style without deep-frying.

Can You Bake the Chicken Strips?

You can bake the strips in a 425-degree F oven on a greased baking sheet or wire rack. Spray the breaded chicken lightly with cooking spray, then bake until golden and cooked through.

Baked strips won’t have quite the same crunch as fried strips, but they are a useful option when you want to avoid frying. Always check the thickest piece with a meat thermometer and cook the chicken to 165 degrees F.

Dipping Sauces for Chicken Tenders

There are so many sauces that taste good with chicken strips. Try one of these:

• Honey mustard
• Ranch dressing
• BBQ sauce
• Buffalo sauce
• Sweet chili sauce
• Dill pickle honey mustard
• Comeback sauce
• Roasted garlic dip
• Heinz ketchup
• French’s mustard

KFC also sells its own signature dipping sauce in some grocery stores. A simple combination of honey, mustard, and mayonnaise makes an easy homemade version.

What to Serve With KFC Chicken Strips

Turn these chicken strips KFC style into a full meal with a few easy sides:

• Potato wedges
• Mashed potatoes with gravy
• Coleslaw
• Macaroni and cheese
• Biscuits or dinner rolls
• Green beans with bacon
• Parmesan green beans
• Fruit salad
• Corn on the cob

Chicken Strips vs. Chicken Tenders

Chicken tenders are a specific small muscle found beneath the chicken breast. Chicken strips are usually chicken breast meat cut into long pieces.

Tenders are often smaller and less uniform in shape. Strips are usually cut to a similar size and may be larger. Both can be breaded and fried, which is why recipes for chicken tenders KFC recipe and chicken strips often look very similar.

Whether you call them a chicken tender KFC style or a chicken strip recipe, the cooking instructions are mostly the same. The important thing is to cut the pieces evenly and check the internal temperature.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought KFC Strips

Homemade copycat chicken strips let you choose the chicken, seasoning, oil, and cooking method. You can also adjust the salt and spice level to suit your family.

Restaurant strips are convenient because someone else does the prep and cooking. Homemade strips take more time, especially because of the marinade and frying, but they are a good choice when you want a fresh batch right from the kitchen.

The nutrition will also vary. The calories in a KFC chicken strip depend on the size, coating, cooking method, and sauce. This homemade recipe lists about 193 calories per serving, but the actual number can change based on how much flour and oil each strip absorbs.

How Long Should You Fry Chicken Tenders?

Fry chicken tenders for about 8 to 10 minutes at 350 degrees F. Larger or thicker pieces may need more time, while small strips may cook faster.

The safest way to check doneness is with a meat thermometer. The thickest part of the chicken needs to reach 165 degrees F.

How Long Does This Recipe Take?

Plan for about 1 hour and 40 minutes from start to finish. That includes 1 hour for marinating the chicken, about 30 minutes of preparation, and 8 to 10 minutes for frying each batch.

How to Store KFC Chicken Strips

Let the chicken cool completely before storing it. Place the strips in an airtight container or resealable freezer bag.

• Store cooked chicken strips in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
• Freeze them for up to 2 to 3 months.
• Place parchment paper between layers if freezing several strips together.

Don’t seal the chicken while it is still hot. The trapped condensation will soften the breading.

Can You Freeze Chicken Strips Before Cooking?

Yes, you can freeze the breaded chicken before frying. Place the coated strips on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze them until firm. Then transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container.

When you’re ready to cook them, fry the strips from frozen or let them thaw in the refrigerator first. Frozen chicken will take longer to cook, so always check that the center reaches 165 degrees F.

How to Reheat Chicken Strips

The oven and air fryer are the best ways to reheat the chicken without losing all of the crispiness.

For the oven, place the strips on a baking sheet and heat them at 375 degrees F for 10 to 12 minutes.

For the air fryer, heat the chicken at 375 degrees F for 4 to 6 minutes, turning once. The exact time depends on the size of the strips.

You can use the microwave in a pinch. Place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate and heat for 1 to 2 minutes, but the breading will be softer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Kentucky Fried Chicken have chicken strips?

KFC has offered boneless chicken strip and tender options in different locations and at different times. Menu names and availability can vary, so check the current menu at your local restaurant.

What are KFC chicken strips made of?

KFC-style chicken strips are made with boneless chicken breast, a seasoned flour coating, and oil for frying. This copycat version also uses buttermilk and hot sauce for the marinade.

What is the secret to crispy KFC chicken?

The key is keeping the oil at 350 degrees F, coating the chicken twice, and frying in small batches. The water dip between the flour coatings helps create a rough, crunchy coating.

How do you make KFC chicken strips at home?

Marinate chicken breast strips in buttermilk and hot sauce. Coat them in seasoned flour, dip them in water, coat them in flour again, and fry them at 350 degrees F until golden and cooked to 165 degrees F.

That is how to make KFC chicken strips with simple ingredients at home.

What are the calories in a KFC chicken strip?

The calories in KFC chicken strip servings vary by size and restaurant preparation. This homemade recipe has about 193 calories per serving, before adding dipping sauce or side dishes.

Is this a chicken strip CFC recipe?

Some people search for “cfc chicken strips” or “chicken strips cfc” when they mean crispy fried chicken strips. This recipe is a KFC-style version with seasoned breading and buttermilk-marinated chicken.