CRISPY CHICKEN STRIPS š ā So Good They Disappear the Second They Hit the Table!
If youāve been searching for the perfect crispy chicken strip recipeāthe kind that stays crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and has everyone wandering back into the kitchen for ājust one moreāāthis is the one you need. Iāve made these chicken strips so many times now that my family has officially banned me from making small batches⦠because they vanish before they even cool down!
Thereās just something about perfectly seasoned, golden-brown chicken strips that feels comforting, nostalgic, and downright addictive. Whether youāre making these for a weeknight meal, a game-day appetizer, or a party platter, donāt be surprised when people start calling them ābetter than restaurant chicken strips.ā Seriouslyāevery time I fry these up, someone asks for the recipe, and most of them end up making it the very next day.
The best part? You donāt need anything fancy. Just simple seasoning, a flavorful buttermilk marinade, and a crunchy coating that fries up beautifully every single time. And yesāyou can air-fry or oven-bake them, but thereās nothing quite like the stovetop version for that ultra-crispy bite.
ā Why Youāll Love This Recipe
Extra crunchy, perfectly seasoned coating
Tender, juicy chicken thanks to a quick marinade
Super easy ingredients you already have at home
Family-friendly and picky-eater approved
Works great as a meal, snack, or party platter
š Ingredients
1 ½ lb chicken breast, sliced into strips
1 cup buttermilk (or milk + 1 tbsp lemon juice)
1 egg
1 ½ cups flour
½ cup cornstarch
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
Oil for frying
š„ How to Make the Crispiest Chicken Strips
- Marinate the chicken:
Mix buttermilk, egg, salt, pepper, and half the seasonings. Add chicken strips and let them sit at least 30 minutes (longer = juicier!). - Prepare the coating:
In another bowl, whisk flour, cornstarch, and the rest of the seasonings. - Coat the chicken:
Lift each piece from the buttermilk, let excess drip, then press into the flour mixture. For extra crunch, dip back into the buttermilk again and then coat with flour a second time. (Double dipping = extra crispy!) - Fry:
Heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry chicken strips 5ā7 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Donāt overcrowd the pan. - Drain:
Place on a cooling rack or paper towels.
šÆ Serve With These Dipping Sauces
Honey mustard
Ranch
Spicy mayo
BBQ sauce
Sweet chili
š” Tips for Restaurant-Style Chicken Strips
Cornstarch is the secret to a super crunchy texture
Double coat for extra crunch
Donāt fry on low heatāhot oil = crispiness
Let them rest on a cooling rack (not plate) to stay crunchy
š Final Thoughts
Every time these crispy chicken strips hit the table, thereās total silence for about five minutesāeveryoneās too busy eating! Theyāre golden, crunchy, juicy, and absolutely irresistible. Whether youāre cooking for kids, guests, or yourself, this recipe is guaranteed to be a keeper.
If you try it, let me knowājust donāt blame me when you end up making it every week! ššš„