The chicken tender is one of America’s most beloved meal items, and it’s easy to see why. Whether they are hand-breaded or grilled tenders, the marriage of flavor and texture is a palate-pleaser. Since the 1970s, chicken tenders have delighted people across the United States, thanks to their versatility and mouth-watering appeal. Both at home and in all your favorite restaurants, chicken tenders are a favorite sure to bring a smile to even the pickiest eaters.
While both hand-breaded and grilled tenders start with the same delicious cut of chicken—more on that in a moment—how they’re prepared and cooked is different, leading to other subtle changes in their flavor, texture, and nutritional content. Let’s break down these differences and why each type of chicken tender is equally beloved by chicken fans the world over.
But First: What’s a Chicken Tender?
Chicken tenders are cut from a small, delicate section under the chicken breast—the tenderloin, from which they get their name. The tenderloin of the chicken is considered the best 3% of the chicken, and these tender white meat slices deliver a big punch of both flavor and nutrition.
Chicken tenders have high levels of both protein and amino acids, which are essential for building and repairing tissues, hormones, and antibodies. While they may go by many nicknames, including chicken tendies, chicken fingers, chicken strips, or even chicken filets, their popularity is universal and for good reason. People love them prepared in so many ways.
Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders
The chicken tenderloin is the perfect canvas for creating a truly artistic expression of flavor and texture. One of the most sought-after ways to prepare the chicken tender is to hand-bread and fry it. Hand-breaded chicken tenders are coated in breadcrumbs, flour, or cornmeal; dipped in an egg wash; and deliciously seasoned before being carefully dropped into hot oil and cooked to perfection.
By coating, or dredging, the tenders in breading and seasoning both before and after dipping them in an egg wash, the breading clings to the tender as it goes into the oil. This creates a crispy outer coat while securing the juiciness of the chicken tender inside. The result is an explosion of flavor perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce or adding as a protein in another dish.
Because of their rich flavor and crispy texture, hand-breaded chicken tenders are especially popular as proteins in salads. Take it from the chicken tender experts at Huey Magoo’s: Laid over a bed of mixed greens, hand-breaded tenders go great with a variety of flavor profiles from sweet to spicy and everything in between. They also taste great in sandwiches and wraps and on their own with a side.
Hand-breaded tenders can also be tossed in sauces, like buffalo, lemon pepper, and garlic parmesan. Each sauce adds a new spin on the classic hand-breaded tender, creating even more meal and pairing options.
Try it in a salad! Combine hand-breaded chicken tenders with mixed greens, cranberries, walnuts, grape tomatoes, and a raspberry walnut vinaigrette for something light and summery. Or, add mixed greens, roasted corn, black beans, shredded cheese, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded carrots, and honey mustard dressing for something a little hardier.
Grilled Tenders
Like their hand-breaded cousins, grilled tenders are cut from the tenderloin area right beneath the chicken breast. The key difference between these two delicious options is in how they’re prepared.
Grilled tenders forgo breading and are instead simply seasoned and laid on the grill. Seared to perfection, grilled tenders have their own unique and mouth-watering flavor profile. Known for their juicy texture, smoky taste, and lean nutritional value, grilled tenders are ideal for chicken fans looking to elevate their chicken experience while cutting back on carbs and calories.
The versatility of grilled tenders makes them perfect for a variety of meals, including salads, sandwiches, wraps, or with a side of Fresh-Cut Chips, Crinkle-Cut Fries and Texas toast. Add some dipping sauce for an extra kick of tangy, sweet, or smoky flavor. Honey mustard, barbeque, bleu cheese, and ranch are just a few of the sauces that pair well with grilled chicken tenders.
Try it in a sandwich! Enjoy grilled Buffalo tenders with mixed greens, pepper-Jack cheese, tomatoes, and homemade ranch dressing on a Buffalo sandwich. The combination of spicy and tangy flavors and tender grilled chicken served on a bun or Texas toast, alongside Crinkle-Cut Fries and your choice of dipping sauce, is a crowd-pleaser for either lunch or dinner. Add a side of classic coleslaw, and you’re looking at perfection.
Choose Your Chicken
Whether you’re craving a crispy hand-breaded chicken tender or you’re all about juicy, lean, grilled tenders, there’s a chicken tender that’s right for you and your next meal. These versatile, flavorful cuts of white chicken meat promise high-protein additions to any meal, day or night. You’re going to love them.
For carb-conscious eaters, grilled tenders might be an ideal choice for your next salad or wrap. If big, seasoned flavor and crispy texture is more your speed, hand-breaded chicken tenders go great in your sandwiches, on salads, or with some fries and a big slice of buttery Texas toast.
Chicken lovers of all ages appreciate the size, shape, cut, and tenderness of high-quality chicken tenders. They taste great with a variety of sides, toppings, or sauces, making them perfect for whatever you desire. Your family deserves the highest-quality tenders around, whether those tenders are hand-breaded or grilled.
Stop by your nearest Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders restaurant to satisfy your craving for the best 3% of the chicken, a tenderloin lovingly referred to as The Filet Mignon of Chicken®. When flavor and texture are on the menu, every meal is made extra special with hand-breaded or grilled tenders.