Gluten-Free Fried Chicken Tenders

Man, oh man, do I love fried chicken tenders! There’s something so satisfying about the crunch of the crust and the juiciness of the meat! However, an autoimmune disease begged me to go gluten-free a few years ago and fried chicken had to be reinvented. I don’t indulge very often, but when I want good gluten-free fried chicken tenders, they have to be perfect! I’ve made them so many different ways trying to find the best method, and by golly, I think I’ve got it. Finally.

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Gluten-free Fried Chicken Tenders on a platter with a bowl of Sriracha Mayo and lemon wedges

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UPDATE: January 17, 2023. Since reversing many of the symptoms of my autoimmune disease, I will sometimes use unbleached, all-purpose, organic flour now. I’ve also made these with cassava flour with good results.

Buttermilk marinade for Fried Chicken Tenders

I start with eggs and buttermilk. I don’t always let the tenders marinate in the buttermilk mixture, but it’s not a bad idea! The buttermilk tenderizes the meat, but I don’t find that a huge necessity … especially with “tenders”.

Eggs and buttermilk in one bowl and flour mixture on a platter

How to get a crunchy coating

To get even more of a crunch in the batter, I add some cornmeal to gluten-free flour blend. I’ve also used gluten-free panko with good success. I season well with salt and pepper, granulated garlic, and smoked paprika.

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After I coat the pieces with the buttermilk mixture, I dredge them in the flour mixture.

Chicken Tenders dipped in buttermilk and dredged in flour mixture

Tips for Gluten-free Frying

Use a cast iron skillet. I think everyone understands the value of these work horses in the kitchen, but if you don’t have one, use the heaviest skillet you have … like stainless steel.
Use avocado oil or tallow. They both have a high smoke point and even though you are frying at medium heat, I think it’s the best alternative for healthy frying.
Don’t use much oil. It’s simply not needed. Use just enough so that the chicken can fry and not burn. You might have to add a bit as you cook in batches.
Give the chicken pieces room to fry uncrowded. If you have too much in the skillet, you’ll create more steam between the pieces and you won’t get as crunchy a crust.
Gluten-free flour blends tend to brown a bit more quickly than regular flour so be sure to keep the burner set at about medium.

My favorite sauce with gluten-free fried chicken tenders is Sriracha Mayonnaise, but feel free to offer BBQ sauce, Ranch Dressing, Honey Mustard, or ketchup. And just like that, your gluten-free world just got tastier!