Crispy Chicken Tenders With Sweet Pepper Relish Dip

Name: Crispy Chicken Tenders With Sweet Pepper Relish Dip
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 2 pounds chicken tenderloins (about 12 to 14 pieces, depending on the size); 50 butter-flavored crackers (I use Ritz); 1 cup flour; 1 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon onion powder; 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika; 2 eggs; 3 tablespoons milk; canola or vegetable oil for frying; 3/4 cup sweet pepper relish; 1/8 cup sour cream; 1/8 cup mayonnaise; 1/8 cup ketchup

by In Good Flavor

12 pieces

45 min

When you want fried chicken, these tenders are sure to satisfy. They are coated in cracker crumbs and deep-fried until golden brown. The coating is light, crispy, and crunchy—you won't find any heavy, doughy breading here!

For a lighter option, feel free to bake. The tenders will still be delicious. Just apply cooking spray to the tenders to help the coating turn brown and crisp. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 400° F.

The dip is creamy, tangy, and sweet, with bits of sweet red peppers. It's so easy to make with sweet pepper relish as the base. Sour cream, mayonnaise, and ketchup are added to make it super tasty. So good!! Don't be surprised if you want to make extra to dip all kinds of things!

More information and additional images can be found at In Good Flavor.

crispy chicken tenders with sweet pepper relish dip

Crispy Chicken Tenders With Sweet Pepper Relish Dip

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Recipe details

Yield 12 pieces
Time spent: Prep time: 25 Minutes Cook time: 20 Minutes Total time: 45 min

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% Daily value

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

2 pounds chicken tenderloins (about 12 to 14 pieces, depending on the size)
50 butter-flavored crackers (I use Ritz)
1 cup flour
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
2 eggs
3 tablespoons milk
canola or vegetable oil for frying

For the Sweet Pepper Relish Dip:

3/4 cup sweet pepper relish
1/8 cup sour cream
1/8 cup mayonnaise
1/8 cup ketchup

Instructions

Place crackers in a large plastic bag. Lightly smash into coarse crumbs using a coffee cup or your hands. You want to leave a good amount of coarse crumbs (yields about 1 1/2 cups of crumbs). Place them on a plate or a wide, shallow bowl.
Combine flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika in a wide, shallow bowl. Blend well with a fork.
In a third bowl, whisk and add eggs and milk.
To bread the chicken, dip it into the flour mixture, shaking off excess. Then, dip it into the egg mixture. Next, dip it into cracker crumbs, patting the crumbs onto the chicken. Place it on a tray. Continue breading the remaining chicken.
Place one inch of oil in a medium frying pan or heavy bottom saucepan that is at least 2 inches deep. Preheat to 360° F.
Place some tenders in hot oil (cook in batches to avoid overcrowding). Depending on the size, cook for 6 to 8 minutes total, turning over once halfway. They are done when the outside is golden brown or when there is no pink in the center when sliced through.
Place on a metal drying rack to drain. Continue cooking the remaining chicken.
To make the dip, combine red pepper relish, sour cream, mayonnaise, and ketchup in a small bowl. Serve alongside chicken tenders.

Tips

To retain maximum crispiness, cool completely before storing chicken tenders in a container.
Baking option: Place tenders on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Spray chicken tenders with cooking spray. Bake in a preheated 400° F for 15 to 20 minutes, depending on their size. Or cook until the internal temperature is 165° F.
To reheat: Preheat the oven to 400° F. Place the tenders on a baking sheet with a wire rack. Insert an empty rack above the chicken. Place in the oven. Place a sheet of foil on this rack, positioned directly over the baking sheet below (this protects the chicken from over-browning). Bake for 10 minutes or just long enough to heat through.

Comments

Joanne Robinson on May 26, 2021

This looks so delicious and a welcome change to the ordinary breadcrumbs that I usually use. Thanks so much for this recipe.

1 Reply
- In Good Flavor on May 26, 2021
  
  Thank you Joanne! I love the light crunch of the cracker crumbs. I appreciate you stopping by!
  
  1
Rachel's Trash~2~Treasures on May 27, 2021

Oh my goodness... now I'm hungry lol I've never had any luck using Ritz! They always get too dark, I assumed it was the sugar. I'm gonna hafta try again. With your sweet pepper sauce! 😋

2 Reply
- In Good Flavor on May 27, 2021
  
  Haha! I’m so glad you’re going to give Ritz another chance! The crackers can get too dark if the oil is too hot. Keeping an eye on the oil temp will help. Good luck!!!
  
  1

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