Copycat Arby’s Chicken Tender Recipe

Ready to ditch the drive-thru? These This Copycat Arby’s Chicken Tender Recipe bring all the crispy, juicy goodness right to your kitchen!

If you love Arby’s crispy, juicy chicken tenders but want to make them at home, this copycat recipe nails that golden crunch and tender inside every time. Perfect for family dinners, game day snacks, or anytime you’re craving a fast-food classic without the drive-thru.

These chicken tenders are coated in a flavorful seasoned breading, then baked or air-fried for a crispy finish that’s better than takeout!

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside
• Made with simple pantry ingredients
• Air fryer and oven options for cooking
• Perfect for family meals or parties
• A satisfying homemade copycat of a fast-food favorite

🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

• Chicken tenders or breast strips – Tender, juicy protein perfect for crispy coating
• Buttermilk – Tangy marinade that tenderizes and adds moisture
• All-purpose flour – Creates a crispy, golden breading layer
• Paprika – Adds mild smoky flavor and vibrant color
• Garlic powder – Delivers savory, aromatic depth to the coating
• Onion powder – Enhances flavor with subtle sweetness and warmth
• Salt – Brings out all the flavors in the recipe
• Black pepper – Adds gentle heat and peppery bite
• Cayenne pepper (optional) – Provides a spicy kick for heat lovers

🍽️ How to Make Copycat Arby’s Chicken Tenders

Step 1: Place chicken tenders in a bowl or zip-top bag. Pour buttermilk over the chicken and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours) to tenderize and add moisture.

Step 2: In a shallow dish, mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.

Step 3: Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to coat well.

Step 4: Air fryer Instructions: Preheat to 400°F. Spray the basket lightly with cooking spray. Place tenders in a single layer, spray tops with cooking spray, and cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through.

Step 5: Enjoy your crispy chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauces like honey mustard, BBQ, or ranch.

🌟 Tips for Best Results

• Use fresh chicken tenders or slice chicken breasts into strips.
• Don’t skip the buttermilk marinade—it keeps the chicken juicy.
• For extra crispiness, double-dip the chicken in buttermilk and flour.
• If baking, place tenders on a wire rack over the baking sheet to keep the bottom crisp.

🧊 Storing & Reheating

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–4 minutes or in the oven until crispy again.

💬 FAQs

Can I freeze these chicken tenders? Yes! Freeze cooked tenders in a single layer on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Reheat from frozen in the air fryer.

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk? You can, but add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar per cup of milk to mimic buttermilk’s acidity.

How spicy are these? The cayenne is optional—add it if you want a mild kick or leave it out for a milder flavor.

More Copycat Arby’s Recipes

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Homemade Arby’s Cherry Turnovers

Arby’s Steakhouse Onion Rings Copycat Recipe

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Ninja Creami Jamocha Shake (Arby’s Copycat)

Arby’s Horsey Sauce Copycat Recipe

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Copycat Arby’s Chicken Tender Recipe

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Author: Laurie Fleming

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 12 minutes mins

30 minutes mins

Total Time: 52 minutes mins

Servings: 4 Servings

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Description

Skip the drive-thru and make Arby’s Chicken Tenders at home—crispy, golden, and full of flavor using simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients 

• 1 lb chicken tenders, or chicken breast strips
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional, for a little heat

Instructions

• Place chicken tenders in a bowl or zip-top bag. Pour buttermilk over the chicken and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes (or up to 4 hours) to tenderize and add moisture.
• In a shallow dish, mix flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
• Remove chicken from buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to coat well.
• Air fryer: Preheat to 400°F. Spray the basket lightly with cooking spray. Place tenders in a single layer, spray tops with cooking spray, and cook for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through.
• Oven: Preheat to 425°F. Place tenders on a lined baking sheet. Spray with cooking spray and bake for 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway.
• Enjoy your crispy chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauces like honey mustard, BBQ, or ranch.

Equipment

• Air Fryer
• Cooking Spray
• Parchment Paper, optional

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 343kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 31gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 778mgPotassium: 576mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 277IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 86mgIron: 3mg