Buffalo Chicken Tenders with Ranch Dipping Sauce

Introduction

Buffalo chicken tenders are a spicy, crispy, and juicy chicken dish coated in tangy buffalo sauce and served with a cool, creamy ranch dip. They take the beloved flavors of buffalo wings and transform them into easy-to-eat strips of chicken breast or tenderloins. Perfect for game day, parties, or family dinners, these tenders are a guaranteed hit for spice lovers.

The contrast of crispy chicken, fiery buffalo sauce, and cooling ranch makes every bite a flavor explosion. It’s comfort food with a bold kick, yet easy enough to whip up any night of the week.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it combines two of my favorites: crispy chicken and buffalo sauce. Unlike wings, tenders are boneless, easier to eat, and less messy—but just as satisfying. The ranch dipping sauce balances the heat perfectly, creating that classic spicy-cool combo everyone craves.

Another reason I love this recipe is its versatility—you can bake, fry, or air-fry the tenders, and adjust the spice level to suit your taste. It’s also a fantastic party dish; whenever I make it, the platter disappears in minutes!

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves buffalo flavor—it’s a guaranteed favorite at gatherings.
• Simple & Quick: Made with pantry ingredients and ready in under an hour.
• Customizable Heat: Mild, medium, or extra hot—make it your way.
• Better Than Takeout: Fresh, crisp, and flavorful without being greasy.
• Perfect Combo: Spicy tenders + cooling ranch = unbeatable balance.

Preparation & Cooking Time

• Preparation Time: 15 minutes
• Cooking Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes

Yield & Nutrition

• Servings: 4 (about 2–3 tenders per person)
• Calories: ~280 per serving (not including sauce; varies with cooking method)

Cuisine & Course

• Cuisine: American
• Course: Appetizer / Main Course / Party Snack

Ingredients

For the Chicken Tenders:

• 1 ½ lbs chicken tenders (or chicken breast cut into strips)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs (beaten)
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Oil for frying or cooking spray (for oven/air fryer)

For the Buffalo Sauce:

• ½ cup hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
• ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 tbsp honey (optional, for sweetness)

For the Ranch Dipping Sauce:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp buttermilk (or regular milk, to thin)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried dill (or fresh if available)
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt & pepper to taste

Simple Directions

1. Bread the chicken tenders.
2. Bake, fry, or air-fry until golden.
3. Toss in buffalo sauce.
4. Serve hot with ranch dip.

Step-by-Step Preparation

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

1. Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels.
2. Set up a breading station:
   • Bowl 1: Flour + garlic powder + onion powder + paprika + salt + pepper.
   • Bowl 2: Beaten eggs.
   • Bowl 3: Breadcrumbs.

Step 2: Bread the Chicken

1. Dredge each tender in flour, shaking off excess.
2. Dip into beaten egg.
3. Coat with breadcrumbs, pressing lightly so it sticks.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

• Frying: Heat oil in skillet, fry tenders 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown.
• Baking: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), place tenders on lined baking sheet, spray with oil, bake 18–20 minutes.
• Air Frying: Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C), cook 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway.

Step 4: Make the Buffalo Sauce

1. Melt butter, whisk in hot sauce and honey until smooth.

Step 5: Toss & Serve

1. Toss cooked tenders in buffalo sauce until well coated.
2. Whisk ranch dipping sauce ingredients together until smooth.
3. Serve hot with ranch on the side.

How to Serve

• Best served immediately while hot and crispy.
• Arrange on a platter with ranch dipping sauce in the center.
• Add celery and carrot sticks for a classic buffalo wing-style presentation.
• Pair with fries, potato wedges, or a crisp salad for a full meal.

Additional Tips

• For extra crunch, double-coat the chicken in flour and breadcrumbs.
• Use panko breadcrumbs for the crispiest results.
• For lighter tenders, bake or air-fry instead of frying.
• Adjust buffalo sauce spice level by mixing in more butter (milder) or more hot sauce (spicier).

Variations

• Buffalo Honey Garlic: Add 1 tbsp garlic and extra honey to the buffalo sauce.
• Cheesy Buffalo Tenders: Sprinkle parmesan cheese into the breadcrumb mixture.
• Buffalo Ranch Tenders: Mix ranch seasoning directly into the breading for double flavor.
• Keto Version: Use almond flour and crushed pork rinds instead of flour and breadcrumbs.

Freezing & Storage

• Storage: Keep leftovers in airtight container in fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in oven or air fryer to crisp up.
• Freezing Cooked Tenders: Cool completely, freeze in single layer, then transfer to freezer bag for up to 2 months.
• Freezing Uncooked Breaded Tenders: Freeze raw breaded tenders on tray, then bag and store up to 2 months. Cook straight from frozen (add a few extra minutes).

Special Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Skillet or deep fryer (if frying)
• Baking sheet + parchment paper (if baking)
• Air fryer (optional alternative)
• Tongs for flipping

Conclusion

Buffalo Chicken Tenders with Ranch Dipping Sauce are the ultimate comfort food—crispy, juicy chicken coated in fiery buffalo sauce, cooled down by creamy ranch. They’re easy to make, customizable, and always a hit at parties, game nights, or family dinners. Whether baked, fried, or air-fried, these tenders deliver the perfect balance of heat and flavor, making them a must-try dish for any chicken lover.

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Buffalo Chicken Tenders with Ranch Dipping Sauce

Author: admin Cuisine: American Courses: Appetizer & Snacks, Chicken

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 20 mins Total Time 35 mins

Servings: 4 Calories: 280 kcal

Description

Buffalo chicken tenders are a spicy, crispy, and juicy chicken dish coated in tangy buffalo sauce and served with a cool, creamy ranch dip. They take the beloved flavors of buffalo wings and transform them into easy-to-eat strips of chicken breast or tenderloins.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2x 1x 2x 3x

For the Chicken Tenders:

• 1 ½ lbs chicken tenders (or chicken breast cut into strips)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 large eggs (beaten)
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Oil for frying or cooking spray (for oven/air fryer)

For the Buffalo Sauce:

• ½ cup hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
• ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 tbsp honey (optional, for sweetness)

For the Ranch Dipping Sauce:

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp buttermilk (or regular milk, to thin)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried dill (or fresh if available)
• 1 tsp onion powder
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Step 1: Prepare the Chicken : Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels.Set up a breading station:Bowl 1: Flour + garlic powder + onion powder + paprika + salt + pepper.Bowl 2: Beaten eggs. Bowl 3: Breadcrumbs.
2. Step 2: Bread the Chicken : Dredge each tender in flour, shaking off excess.Dip into beaten egg.Coat with breadcrumbs, pressing lightly so it sticks.
3. Step 3: Cook the Chicken : Frying: Heat oil in skillet, fry tenders 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown.Baking: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C), place tenders on lined baking sheet, spray with oil, bake 18–20 minutes.Air Frying: Preheat air fryer to 375°F (190°C), cook 12–14 minutes, flipping halfway.
4. Step 4: Make the Buffalo Sauce : Melt butter, whisk in hot sauce and honey until smooth.
5. Step 5: Toss & Serve : Toss cooked tenders in buffalo sauce until well coated.Whisk ranch dipping sauce ingredients together until smooth.Serve hot with ranch on the side.

Keywords: Buffalo Chicken Tenders with Ranch Dipping Sauce