Copycat KFC Nashville Hot Chicken Tenders are golden brown extra crispy chicken tenders with mouthwatering heat that are perfect for dipping into ranch. This TikTok Viral recipe brings your taste buds to life with flavorful seasoned chicken smothered in the best homemade hot sauce - maybe ever!
Prep Time1 hourhr15 minutesmins
Cook Time8 minutesmins
Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken, kfc, Nashville Hot chicken tenders, tiktok, viral
Place chicken tenders onto a plate and season with spices listed in seasoning rub. Cover chicken and refrigerate for 1 hour.
Battering Chicken
Plate 1: Place 1/2 cup of flour into a shallow dish.
Plate 2: Place egg, 1/3 cup flour and water into a separate shallow dish and whisk well.
Plate 3: In a third shallow dish, place 2 cups of flour, poultry seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, mustard and paprika and mix well.
Frying Chicken
Heat oil vegetable over medium high heat. I had about 1-2″ in a skillet. Remove chicken from the refrigerator and dredge in flour, egg and finally seasoned flour, coating all sides.
Fry in oil for 5 minutes. Flip half way if the oil does not completely cover the chicken. Drain on paper towels. Repeat if working in batches with chicken.
Turn oil to high heat and add more if necessary. Heat for 5 minutes.
Return chicken to oil and fry again for 2 minutes, flipping halfway if the oil doesn’t coat the chicken completely. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Drain on paper towels.
Hot Sauce
Mix all the spices together in a bowl and pour one cup of hot oil from frying the chicken into the bowl. I’d recommend using a plastic or metal measuring cup to remove oil from the pan. If you use glass, it could break. Use caution as the oil is very hot.
Coat each chicken piece with sauce and serve.
Notes
Best Dipping Sauce
Ranch, Copycat Canes, Buffalo Blue Cheese, or Honey Mustard
How to Air Fry
To air fry, set temperature to 375 degrees F and cook the chicken for about 15 minutes, turning once halfway through. While the chicken cooks in the fryer, prepare your spicy sauce. After the chicken is done, place in a bowl and pour the sauce mixture over them, then turn the pieces so they coat evenly.
Be sure to let air fryer preheat fully before adding your chicken, otherwise you may wind up with less-than-crunchy tenders.
Only cook as many tenders in your air fryer as can fit on a single layer. You may have to do multiple batches, but I almost think it’s better that way because they are always fresh from the fryer and as crispy as possible.