
Chicken tenders, also known as chicken goujons, tendies, chicken strips, chicken fingers, or chicken fillets, are considered the most tender part of the chicken. They are muscles attached to the underside of each chicken breast. Chicken tenders were invented at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 1974 and have since become a staple across the United States.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Chicken tenders are muscles attached to the underside of each breast
- Chicken tenders are also known as chicken goujons, chicken strips, chicken fingers, or chicken fillets
- Chicken tenders are typically 1.5 inches wide and 5 inches long
- Chicken tenders are usually breaded and deep-fried
- Chicken tenders were invented in 1974 at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester, New Hampshire

Chicken tenders are muscles attached to the underside of each breast
Chicken tenders, also known as chicken goujons, tendies, chicken strips, chicken fingers, or chicken fillets, are chicken meat prepared from the pectoralis minor muscles of the bird. These strips of white meat are located on either side of the breastbone, under the breast meat (pectoralis major). They are muscles attached to the underside of each breast.
Chicken tenders are naturally more tender than other parts of the chicken due to their location. They are typically larger and thicker than chicken fingers. Chicken tenders can be breaded and fried, just like chicken fingers, or used in other types of cooking, such as stir-fries, grilled dishes, or skewers. The terminology can vary, and some restaurants and culinary enthusiasts may use the terms chicken tenders and chicken fingers interchangeably, which can confuse diners.
Chicken tenders are prepared by coating chicken meat in a breading mixture and then deep-frying them, in a manner similar to schnitzel. They are a very popular fast-food snack or main course due to their convenience and have become a staple across the United States. Chicken tenders were first made at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 1974. They gained popularity in the mid-to-late 1980s as an alternative fast-food choice to chicken nuggets, as they retained more chicken meat.
Chicken tenders are sometimes sold separately from the breasts, making them great candidates for dishes where the chicken meat needs to be cut up, such as stir-fries and skewers. When buying chicken tenders from the store, you may notice a white string attached to them, which is a tendon. While technically edible, it is not pleasant to eat and can be removed by pulling it from the tender.
Feeding Cats Chicken Liver: Safe Amounts Daily
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Chicken tenders are also known as chicken goujons, chicken strips, chicken fingers, or chicken fillets
Chicken tenders are chicken meat prepared from the pectoralis minor muscles of the bird, located on either side of the breastbone, under the breast meat. They are also known as chicken goujons, chicken strips, chicken fingers, or chicken fillets. Chicken tenders are naturally more tender than other parts of the chicken due to their location. They are typically larger and thicker than chicken fingers.
Chicken tenders can be breaded and fried, or used in other types of cooking, such as stir-fries or grilled dishes. The preparation of chicken tenders involves coating chicken meat in a breading mixture and then deep-frying it, similar to schnitzel. They are a popular fast-food snack or main course and have become a staple in the United States. Some popular fast-food restaurants that sell chicken tenders include Guthrie's, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, Chick-fil-A, Church's Chicken, KFC, and Popeyes.
Chicken tenders gained popularity in the mid-to-late 1980s as an alternative fast-food choice to chicken nuggets, as they retained more chicken meat. They are often mass-produced and can be manufactured with different flavour profiles, such as Buffalo-style hot sauce, Honey BBQ, or Parmesan Herb Encrusted. Chicken tenders can be grilled rather than fried and may accompany salads or pasta.
Chicken tenders are sometimes sold separately from the chicken breast, making them convenient for dishes that require cut-up chicken meat, such as stir-fries and skewers. They are smaller than the breast but taste similar and are tender and moist when cooked properly. Chicken tenders have a white string attached to them, which is a tendon that can be removed before cooking as it is not pleasant to eat.
Interpreting Dreams: Dead Chickens and Their Meanings
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Chicken tenders are typically 1.5 inches wide and 5 inches long
Chicken tenders, also known as chicken goujons, tendies, chicken strips, chicken fingers, or chicken fillets, are typically 1.5 inches wide and 5 inches long. They are strips of white meat located on either side of the breastbone, under the breast meat. They are made from the pectoralis minor muscles of the bird, which are attached to the underside of each breast. These muscles are similar in location to beef and pork tenderloins.
Chicken tenders are a very popular fast-food snack or main course due to their convenience and have become a staple in the United States. They were first made at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 1974, when Charlie Pappas salvaged chicken pieces that had been trimmed from larger cuts of chicken, marinated and fried them to create chicken tenders.
Chicken tenders are prepared by coating chicken meat in a breading mixture and then deep-frying them, in a similar manner to schnitzel. They can also be grilled rather than fried and served with salads or pasta. The production process often involves coating the chicken meat with spices, polyphosphate, breading or crumbs, flash-frying the product, and then freezing it prior to shipment.
Chicken tenders can be purchased separately from chicken breasts, making them a great option for stir-fries and skewers. They are also sold with a tenderloin attached, in which case the tenderloin can be removed by gently pulling it off with your hands. The white string found on a chicken tender is a tendon that can be removed by pulling it through with a fork or tearing it away with your hands. While it is technically edible, it is not pleasant to eat.
Dungeon-Crawling Hero Picks Up Girls Easily
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$4.99

Chicken tenders are usually breaded and deep-fried
Chicken tenders, also known as chicken goujons, chicken strips, chicken fingers, or chicken fillets, are usually breaded and deep-fried. They are made from the pectoralis minor muscles of the bird, located on either side of the breastbone, under the breast meat (pectoralis major). These strips of white meat are considered a tender part of the chicken due to their location and texture.
Preparing chicken tenders typically involves coating the chicken meat in a breading mixture before deep-frying it. This process is similar to preparing schnitzel. The breading mixture can vary but often includes flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. Some recipes also incorporate additional ingredients such as spices, polyphosphate, or buttermilk to enhance the flavour and texture of the tenders.
The cooking process for chicken tenders usually involves deep-frying. This method of cooking ensures that the tenders become golden brown and crispy on the outside while remaining juicy and tender on the inside. It is important to fry the chicken at the appropriate temperature, typically around 375 degrees F (190 degrees C), and in small batches to ensure even cooking.
Chicken tenders have become a popular fast-food option and are often served as a snack or main course. They gained popularity in the 1980s as an alternative to chicken nuggets, as they are made with larger pieces of chicken meat. Some well-known fast-food restaurants that serve chicken tenders include Guthrie's, Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, Chick-fil-A, and KFC.
In addition to being breaded and deep-fried, chicken tenders can also be grilled and served alongside salads or pasta. They are a versatile protein option that can be paired with various sides and sauces.
Checking a Chicken's Temperature: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Chicken tenders were invented in 1974 at the Puritan Backroom in Manchester, New Hampshire
Chicken tenders are muscles attached to the underside of each chicken breast. They are thin strips of boneless chicken.
The Puritan Backroom's claim to have invented chicken tenders has been challenged by restaurants in Savannah, Georgia, and Baton Rouge, Louisiana. However, the consensus supports the claim that they were invented in Manchester. The restaurant's use of the name "chicken tenders" was reportedly a first, but similar dishes, such as chicken fingers, were already in existence.
Chicken tenders soon became the most popular dish at the Puritan Backroom, outselling other menu items like lobster pie, barbecued lamb kebabs, and Greek macaroni and cheese. The restaurant fries around four tons of tenders most weeks, and sometimes more. The tenders are served with a proprietary condiment called "duck sauce". The restaurant has become an institution in Manchester, with multi-generational families, friends, and sports teams visiting to eat their famous chicken tenders.
Chicken and Rice: Nutrition, Benefits and More
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Chicken tenders, also known as chicken tenderloins, are the most tender part of the chicken. They are small strips of meat attached to the underside of each chicken breast.
Chicken tenders are around 1.5 inches wide and 5 inches long. They are white meat and taste similar to chicken breast meat.
Chicken tenders are usually breaded and deep-fried. They can also be grilled or used in dishes like stir-fries.
You can buy chicken tenders at most grocery stores or butcher shops. They are often sold separately from chicken breasts, but you can also buy a chicken breast with the tenderloin still attached.











































