Cajun Chicken Tenders – A Sprinkling of Cayenne

My Cajun chicken tenders are tender and juicy, golden brown deliciousness with just the right amount of spice, y’all!! The perfect homemade Cajun seasoning and precise frying time make this recipe a keeper for family meals, parties, and events. Yep and yay…

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Cajun Chicken Tenders are a Jazzed Up Version of Everyone’s Favorite Finger Food

Cajun chicken tenders are seasoned with traditional South Louisiana spices and hot sauce, dipped in an egg wash, and floured before being fried or baked in the oven. They are usually spicier than most types of chicken tenders and have a little kick of heat at the end of each bite. 

I prefer crispy chicken tenders. So, my version of this dish is fried using a cast iron skillet. I season the tenders liberally, so that the spices are evenly distributed throughout each bite.

I also include hot sauce and buttermilk in my egg wash. The sauce complements the dried spices beautifully. Buttermilk enhances the binding properties of the egg. So, this pairing yields crispy Cajun chicken tenders that retain their crunch even after multiple dunkings in sauce. Indeed. 

Ingredients & Essentials

• Fresh chicken tenderloins are the best for this recipe. However, you can also use chicken breasts. Just slice them into strips. Then, proceed with the recipe using the chicken fingers in place of the tenders. 
• The easy homemade Cajun seasoning mixture includes garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley flakes, and paprika. They’re all easy to pick up from the grocery store, along with the all-purpose flour. 
• You can buy buttermilk from the store. Alternatively, you can add about ½ teaspoon of vinegar or freshly squeezed lemon juice to ¼ cup of milk or half-and-half to make your own in minutes. 
• I use Louisiana-style Crystal hot sauce in this recipe. You can also use Tabasco or the Louisiana brand, if desired. 
• I used vegetable oil to fry these Cajun chicken tenders. But you can use any high-smoke-point oil, including avocado oil. 

What Side Dishes to Serve with Cajun Chicken Tenders

Cajun chicken tenders are perfectly paired with French fries. However, you can serve them with numerous side dishes to create varied experiences.

Cajun potato salad served alongside fried Cajun chicken tenders is Southern scrumptiousness at its finest. This pairing works well for casual get-togethers, picnics, and potlucks.

Cajun-style creamed spinach is a special event side dish that adds a touch of class to the otherwise humble tenders. Think bridal or baby shower, housewarming party, or work-related lunch.

Cajun roasted potatoes are a great alternative to French fries. The pairing of potato and fried tenders is homey and filling. Therefore, this option is perfect for stretching a meal with kids or bringing it to a covered dish event. 

What Dipping Sauces to Serve on the Side

I love to dip my fried Cajun chicken tenders in Louisiana remoulade sauce. It’s a match made in food heaven. And, it really makes the tenders seem fancier and more visually appealing. 

However, you can also serve them with other sauces, including ranch, barbecue sauce, and tartar.

How to Serve Them 

For best results, serve the tenders fresh. 

That said, you can also serve them at room temperature. The coating won’t be as crunchy. But, the flavors will still be prominent. 

How to Make Cajun Chicken Tenders Step-by-Step

Step one. Heat the oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit in a deep cast iron skillet or Dutch oven placed over medium-high heat. Keep a close eye on it to ensure it doesn’t get too hot while you are prepping the chicken tenders. 

Step two. Position a thick layer of paper towels on the top of a baking sheet. 

Now, place a wire rack over the paper towels. Set it close to the stove.

Step three. Pour the dried spices over the raw tenderloins in a large mixing bowl. 

Stir to combine. Then, set aside.

Step four. Beat the eggs lightly. Add the hot sauce and buttermilk to the egg wash mixture.

Then, beat the mixture again until it is well combined.

Step five. Place three shallow bowls near the stove. Place half of the flour in the first bowl, the egg wash in the second bowl, and the remaining flour in the third bowl.

Press one seasoned chicken tender into the flour and shake off the excess flour. Then, submerge it in the egg wash.

Press it into the flour in the third bowl, and again shake off the excess.

Step six. Fry the Cajun chicken tenders in small batches of two or three. Don’t step away from them while frying, as they only take about 3 to 4 minutes per side to cook.

Pick up the tenders one by one with a large stainless steel slotted spoon. Use an instant-read meat thermometer to ensure that each one reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F.

Then, transfer the cooked tenders immediately to the wire rack.

And that’s it, y’all!!

These Cajun chicken tenders are perfectly seasoned, hand-held bites of deliciousness!! They’re super easy to make. So, you can whip them up in no time whenever the craving strikes.

Everyone around the table loves them. So, you can serve them with complete confidence for adults-only events and kid-friendly meals. For sure!!

Share with those who are just as easy to chill with on the sofa as they are to dance with all night at the party. Much food love, and see y’all on the yum side…

This post was originally published on March 6, 2020, and was updated and republished on August 31, 2025.