Authentic Player-Grade Chicken Tenders

By Lauren Mitchell, Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-03 · Updated 2026-04-03

Crispy, restaurant-quality chicken tenders inspired by the premium stitching and attention to detail of Authentic (AU) NBA jerseys. Served with a tangy lemon-dill sauce. This american-inspired chicken (gluten-free) ready in about 28 minutes pairs chicken tenders, all-purpose flour, cornstarch for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken tenders
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
• 1 tbsp honey

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a shallow dish, mix 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Place 1/2 cup buttermilk in another shallow dish. Dredge each chicken tender in the flour mixture, then dip in buttermilk, and return to flour mixture to coat thoroughly.
3. Step 3: Heat 1/2 inch of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Fry chicken tenders for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
4. Step 4: Whisk together 2 tbsp lemon juice, 2 tbsp chopped dill, 1 tbsp honey, and 1/4 cup buttermilk to create a tangy glaze. Brush over hot tenders before serving.