Touchdown Taste: Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauces – The Winning Super Bowl Snack

Hosting a Super Bowl party? It’s time to huddle up and cook up some winning flavors! Chicken tenders are a classic crowd-pleaser, and when paired with a variety of homemade dipping sauces, they become the MVP of your snack spread. So, lace up your aprons, football fans, and get ready to score major points with this easy and delicious recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenders
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• Vegetable oil for frying

For the Dipping Sauces:

• Honey Mustard: 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup Dijon mustard, 2 tablespoons honey, 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• Buffalo Ranch: 1 cup ranch dressing, 1/4 cup hot sauce, 1 tablespoon blue cheese crumbles
• Sweet and Spicy Chili: 1 cup chili sauce, 1/4 cup honey, 1 tablespoon sriracha sauce, 1 teaspoon lime juice
• Garlic Parmesan: 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

Instructions:

Prep the Chicken Tenders:

1. Tenderize: Place the chicken tenders between two pieces of plastic wrap and gently pound with a meat mallet to an even thickness.

Create the Coating Station:

2. Set up the assembly line: In three separate bowls, whisk together the flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs. Season the flour with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Coat and Fry:

3. Dredge and dunk: Dip each chicken tender in the flour mixture, then the egg mixture, and finally, coat it generously in the panko breadcrumbs.
4. Heat the oil: Pour enough vegetable oil into a large skillet or pot to reach a depth of about 1/2 inch. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
5. Touchdown time! Carefully fry the chicken tenders in batches for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.

Dip It, Dunk It, Devour It!:

6. Sauce party: While the chicken tenders are still warm, serve them immediately with your homemade dipping sauces. Enjoy the cheers and touchdown celebrations!

Tips for the Perfect Play:

• Brine the chicken tenders for 30 minutes in a mixture of water, salt, and sugar for extra juicy results.
• Use a thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken tenders reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Keep the oil temperature consistent for even cooking.
• Get creative with the dipping sauces! Try adding different spices, herbs, or cheeses to customize them to your taste.
• Serve the chicken tenders with other game-day favorites like chips, veggies, and dip.

With this touchdown recipe, your Super Bowl party will be a guaranteed win! So, gather your friends and family, put on your jerseys, and get ready to enjoy some delicious food and football fun.

Bonus! Want to go the extra mile?

• Turn these tenders into wings: Cut the chicken tenders in half at the joint and coat them in the same way. Fry for 1-2 minutes per side, or until cooked through.
• Make it spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the flour mixture for a fiery kick.
• Get cheesy: Drizzle the cooked chicken tenders with melted cheddar cheese and chopped green onions for a loaded nacho vibe.

No matter how you choose to prepare them, these Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauces are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. So, get cooking, and have a happy Super Bowl!