Easy Copycat Culver’s Buffalo Chicken Tenders

These Easy Copycat Culver’s Buffalo Chicken Tenders feature a perfectly crispy, golden breading tossed in a signature spicy-tangy sauce that packs just the right amount of heat. They are the ultimate crispy comfort food, delivering that famous restaurant-quality crunch and bold buffalo flavor right from your own kitchen.

If you’re a fan of Culver’s, you know their buffalo tenders stand out because they aren’t just “spicy”—they have a deep, savory flavor and a breading that stays incredibly crunchy even after being tossed in sauce.

Recreating that specific texture at home usually feels impossible, but this recipe uses a double-dredge technique to lock in the juices and provide that iconic “snap” when you take a bite.

Whether you’re serving them as a game-day appetizer or a fun family dinner, these tenders bring the bold, zesty spirit of the Midwest’s favorite fast-food spot straight to your table.

Why You Will Love This Recipe!

• The Perfect Crunch: A specialized breading technique ensures these stay crispy, never soggy.
• Customizable Heat: You can easily dial the buffalo sauce up or down to suit your spice preference.
• Wholesome Ingredients: No mystery fillers—just 100% white meat chicken breast and fresh spices.
• Huge Savings: Skip the “Value Basket” prices and feed the whole family for a fraction of the cost.
• Party-Ready: These are a guaranteed hit for football Sundays, birthdays, or potlucks.

Culver’s Buffalo Chicken Tenders Ingredients

• Chicken Tenders: You can use whole chicken breast (boneless) and cut them into thin strips:
• All-Purpose Flour: Also you can use gluten-free all-purpose flour
• Cornstarch and Baking Powder: Helps crisp up the chicken
• Buttermilk: Creates a lot of flavors, by marinating the chicken in it.
• Egg: Creates the batter
• Butter: Creates the buffalo sauce to coat the tenders in.
• Buffalo Sauce: Provides the flavor for the buffalo sauce.
• White Vinegar: Adds some tang to the buffalo sauce.
• Seasonings: Adobo, Garlic Power, Black Pepper, Onion Powder, Oregano, Paprika, and Cayenne Pepper

How To Make Culver’s Buffalo Chicken Tenders

Step One: Whisk all dry ingredients together in one bowl. Whisk egg, buttermilk, 1/2 tsp pepper, and 1/2 tsp garlic in a separate bowl. Set up drying station (wire rack) Coat chicken in buttermilk mixture. Then dredge in flour. Repeat.

Step Two: Let chicken rest on a wire rack for 10 mins. (Helps coating adhere to chicken and not fall off while air frying. Spray your air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the chicken into the air fryer basket and set the air fryer temperature to 350 degrees F, air fryer setting. Set cook time for 5-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and crispy.

Step Three: Melt butter and stir in Buffalo sauce and vinegar until combined. Toss the cooked chicken into the sauce.

Copycat Culver’s Buffalo Chicken Tenders Recipe Tips

• Pat the chicken dry before breading so the coating sticks better.
• Let the breaded chicken rest on a wire rack for 10 minutes to help the crust set.
• Spray the tenders lightly with cooking spray before air frying for extra crisp edges.
• Flip halfway through cooking to get even browning on both sides.
• Toss in buffalo sauce right after cooking so it clings while the chicken is hot.
• For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne to the flour mixture.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket or the tenders will steam instead of crisp.

Storing Instructions

Store leftover buffalo chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place them back in the air fryer at 350°F for 3–5 minutes until heated through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving if possible, since it softens the coating.

Copycat Culver’s Buffalo Chicken Tenders Recipe Faqs

Can I make these buffalo chicken tenders in the air fryer? Yes. The air fryer is ideal for getting them crispy without deep frying. Just spray lightly with cooking oil and cook in a single layer.

Can I bake these instead of air frying? Absolutely. Bake on a wire rack over a baking sheet at 400°F until golden and cooked through, flipping halfway.

How do I keep the breading from falling off? Let the coated chicken rest for about 10 minutes before cooking. This helps the breading stick during air frying or baking.

What buffalo sauce works best? A classic cayenne-based buffalo sauce works great, but you can use mild or hot depending on your heat preference.

Can I make these ahead of time? You can bread the chicken ahead and refrigerate it for up to 12 hours. Cook just before serving for best texture.

Are these spicy like Culver’s? They have a similar heat level, but you can easily adjust by using less buffalo sauce or mixing it with melted butter.

Can I freeze cooked chicken tenders? Yes. Freeze fully cooked tenders in a single layer, then store in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Reheat in the air fryer for best results.

More Easy Culver Copycat Recipes

Copycat Culvers Butter Burgers

Culver’s Coleslaw Recipe

Air Fryer Copycat Culver’s Cheese Curds

Culver’s Fish Sandwich Recipe

Culver’s Tartar Sauce Recipe (Easy Copycat Version)

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