Game Day Crispy Chicken Strips (Print)
Golden crispy chicken strips paired with a sweet honey dip, perfect for any snack occasion.
# Ingredient list:
→ Chicken
01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
→ Marinade
02 - ½ cup buttermilk
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
05 - ½ teaspoon paprika
06 - ½ teaspoon salt
07 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
→ Breading
08 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
09 - ½ cup cornstarch
10 - 1 teaspoon salt
11 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
→ For Frying
14 - 3 cups vegetable oil
→ Honey Dip
15 - ⅓ cup honey
16 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
17 - 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
18 - Pinch of salt
# Directions:
01 - Combine chicken strips with buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a large bowl. Toss to coat thoroughly, cover, and marinate for at least 30 minutes. For optimal flavor, marinate overnight.
02 - Whisk together flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper in a separate bowl until well blended.
03 - Pour vegetable oil into a deep skillet or pot and heat to 350°F.
04 - Remove chicken strips from marinade, allowing excess liquid to drip off. Press each strip firmly into the flour mixture to ensure even coating.
05 - Fry chicken strips in batches, cooking 4–5 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Avoid overcrowding to maintain proper oil temperature.
06 - Transfer fried strips to a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil.
07 - Whisk honey, Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, and salt in a small bowl until smooth and creamy.
08 - Arrange chicken strips on a serving platter and accompany with the honey dip for dipping.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The buttermilk marinade makes the chicken impossibly tender while keeping that satisfying crunch
- The honey mustard dip hits the perfect sweet and tangy balance that keeps everyone reaching for more
02 -
- Letting the marinated chicken drip off before breading prevents clumping and soggy spots
- Crowding the pan drops the oil temperature and results in greasy, soft coating instead of crunch
03 -
- Let the oil come back to temperature between batches for consistent results
- Double the honey dip because people will double and triple dip