Deep-Frying Chicken Strips: How Long Does It Take?

Chicken strips are a versatile dish that can be served as a meal or appetizer. They can be deep-fried or baked, resulting in tender, juicy strips with a crispy coating. To deep fry chicken strips, heat oil to 375°F in an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer. Fry the chicken strips in batches, cooking each side for two to six minutes, or until they reach a minimum internal temperature of 165°F and turn a deep golden brown. Drain the fried chicken strips on paper towels and serve immediately.

Deep-frying oil temperature: 375°F

Deep-frying chicken tenders or strips at 375°F will take somewhere between 2 and 8 minutes, depending on various factors. Chicken tenders are incredibly juicy and crispy when fried at the right temperature for the right amount of time. They can be ready in just 20 minutes.

It is important to be careful with the temperature and time. Leaving the chicken in for too long can ruin the colour and the experience. 375°F is a high frying temperature, and the oil is heated at a much higher temperature than in an oven or pan. It is the perfect temperature range for frying chicken tenders, as it will make them golden brown, crispy, and moist.

When frying chicken strips, it is recommended to fry a few strips at a time for two to three minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Do not overcrowd the pan, as this will drop the oil temperature and result in soggy chicken. Fry in batches and allow the oil to return to temperature before adding more chicken.

Chicken tenders or strips should be cooked until their internal temperature reaches 165°F. To measure the temperature, you can use a cooking thermometer, a candy thermometer, or an infrared heat sensor gun.

Fry time: 2-3 mins each side

How to Deep Fry Chicken Strips

Ingredients

To make chicken strips, you will need boneless, skinless chicken breasts, an egg mixture for dipping, seasonings, and saltine crackers for the crunchiest coating. You can also use plain bread crumbs, panko, or gluten-free bread crumbs.

Preparation

First, cut the chicken breasts into strips. You can cut each chicken breast lengthwise into strips about 1" wide, then cut each strip in half. Each breast should yield 10-12 tenders.

Frying

Heat oil in an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer to 375°F. Fry the chicken strips a few at a time for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Do not crowd the pan, as this will cause the oil temperature to drop, resulting in soggy chicken. Fry in batches and allow the oil to heat up again before adding more chicken.

Serving

Drain the fried chicken strips on paper towels and keep them warm while you finish frying the rest. Serve hot for the crispiest coating.

Tips

You can change up the breading by using plain bread crumbs, panko, or gluten-free bread crumbs instead of saltines. If you prefer richer chicken tenders, use boneless, skinless thigh meat. Just be sure to slice the thighs evenly so they cook evenly, and note that they will take a few extra minutes to cook through.

Chicken prep: cut into strips

To prepare chicken strips for frying, you'll first want to cut your chicken into strips. Using a sharp chef's knife, cut each chicken breast thinly lengthwise, aiming for strips about 1" wide. Then, cut each strip in half to make shorter strips. You should get about 10-12 strips from each chicken breast.

You can also try slicing the chicken breast horizontally to create a butterfly effect, then cut each piece in half to create strips. This will give you thicker strips, which some people prefer.

Once you have your strips, you can move on to breading and frying. For juicy and tender chicken, you can marinate the chicken in buttermilk or pickle juice before breading. For crispy chicken, coat the strips in flour, then dip them in beaten egg, and finally coat them in breadcrumbs or crackers.

If you want to add extra seasoning, you can season the chicken itself with salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and red pepper flakes before breading. You can also season the flour mixture with paprika or other spices.

Now your chicken strips are ready to be fried!

Chicken coating: egg, flour, breadcrumbs

To deep fry chicken strips, start by heating oil in a deep fryer to 375°F (190°C). While the oil is heating up, prepare your chicken strips by coating them in a layer of flour, followed by egg, and then breadcrumbs.

First, pat the chicken dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Then, place the chicken strips in a shallow dish of flour and coat them well, shaking off any excess. Next, dip the floured chicken into a shallow dish of beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, coat the chicken strips in breadcrumbs. Press gently until the crumbs adhere to the chicken.

Once your chicken strips are coated and the oil has reached the desired temperature, carefully place a few strips at a time into the deep fryer. Fry the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Don't overcrowd the pan, as this will cause the oil temperature to drop, resulting in soggy chicken. Instead, fry the chicken in batches, allowing the oil to come back up to temperature between batches.

Your chicken strips are now ready to be served hot and crispy!

Cooking methods: deep-frying, oven, air fryer

Chicken strips can be cooked in a variety of ways, including deep-frying, baking in an oven, or using an air fryer. Each method will result in a slightly different texture and taste, and the cooking time will vary.

Deep-Frying Chicken Strips

To deep-fry chicken strips, heat oil in an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer to 375°F. Fry the chicken strips in small batches, a few at a time, for two to three minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown. It is important not to crowd the pan, as this will lower the oil temperature and result in soggy chicken. After frying, drain the chicken strips on paper towels and keep them warm while you cook the remaining strips.

Oven-Baked Chicken Strips

Oven-baked chicken strips are a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken strips, as they are lower in fat. To bake chicken strips in the oven, preheat the oven to 350°F-375°F. Prepare the chicken strips by combining them with oil, tamari, and seasonings in a bowl. For best results, let the chicken sit in the marinade while the oven preheats. Place the chicken strips on a greased or lined baking sheet in a single layer and bake for 15-25 minutes, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the chicken reads 165°F.

Air-Fryer Chicken Strips

Air-fried chicken strips are a quick and easy option that results in crispy and juicy chicken. To cook chicken strips in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 380°F-400°F. Bread the chicken strips by dipping them in egg and then in a breadcrumb mixture. Place the chicken strips in the air fryer basket in a single layer, trying not to let them touch each other. Spray the chicken strips with cooking spray or olive oil spray. Cook the chicken strips for 5-11 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Frequently asked questions