What Are Chicken Tenders?
They’re a staple on kids’ menus at every family restaurant — and often on the main menu too. You can find whole restaurants like Huey Magoo’s dedicated solely to this delicious comfort food. Whether you prefer them hand-breaded, grilled, dipped in sauce or plain, have you ever stopped to think, “What are chicken tenders?”
If you have burning questions about chicken tenders: What are they? What makes them different from other cuts of chicken? When did chicken tenders become a thing? What are some of the best ways to prepare them? What is the appeal? You’ve come to the right place.
At Huey Magoo’s Chicken Tenders®, we’re experts on chicken tenders. It’s in our name! We serve only the tenderloin of the chicken, which is the best 3% of the chicken — “The Filet Mignon of Chicken®.” That’s why they taste so amazing and why we focus on them exclusively. So, we have the scoop on all your questions and more!
What Are Chicken Tenders? (And What Makes Them “The Filet Mignon of Chicken®”?)
Unlike wings, thighs or breasts, which are distinct parts of the chicken, chicken tenders are taken from chicken tenderloin. This is a small, thin strip of muscle along the breastbone, beneath the chicken breast.
Most people are familiar with the different cuts of beef — chuck, flank, ribeye, filet and so on — and understand that they vary in tenderness. Like beef tenderloin — also known as filet mignon — chicken tenderloin is known for being very tender. As we said, chicken tenderloin makes up only about 3% of the total weight of a chicken. Similar to chicken breast, chicken tenderloin is high in protein and low in calories, making it an excellent choice for both main courses and snacks.
Because chickens don’t use the chicken tenderloin muscle often, the meat stays juicy and delicate, even after being cooked through, which is why many consider it the best part of the chicken. Chicken breasts and wings, on the other hand, are leaner and can become dry quickly if overcooked. Chicken thighs and drumsticks have more fat, which makes them rich and flavorful, but their texture is noticeably tougher than the soft, silky texture of the tenderloin.
When Did Chicken Tenders Become a Thing?
Because the dish itself can go by a few different names (chicken fingers, chicken filets, chicken goujons, chicken tempura and chicken strips), food historians disagree about the exact origins of chicken tenders. They seem to have hit the scene in the United States in the mid-20th century. One of the earliest examples of fried chicken tenders on a menu comes from a restaurant called Puritan Backroom in Manchester, New Hampshire, in 1974, but restaurants in Hazelton, Pennsylvania, and Savannah, Georgia, also claim to be the original home of this popular dish (in 1966 and 1976, respectively).
Even if we’re not sure when chicken tenders became a thing, it’s no secret that they have continued to grow in popularity, with approximately 35% of restaurants offering some version of them on their menu. Of course, it’s easy to understand the appeal of a tasty, portable version of fried chicken that is finger-friendly and easy to eat on the go.
What Are the Best Ways To Cook Chicken Tenders?
Thanks to their size, texture and inherent juiciness, chicken tenders are extremely versatile in the kitchen. Traditionally, chicken tenders are hand-breaded before being deep-fried in oil to create the crispy crust everyone loves. To get the best results, most cooks dip the tenders in an egg wash first and then coat the meat in breadcrumbs, panko, cornmeal or flour with spices like salt and pepper, garlic powder and paprika mixed in for an extra punch of flavor.
Like their larger cousins, chicken breasts and thighs, chicken tenders can also be grilled, stir-fried, baked and sautéed and used in a variety of recipes. Their manageable size means they cook quickly, which is great for home cooks with busy families and fast-casual restaurants. Their size also makes them ideal for use in tacos, wraps, salads or sandwiches or as finger food.
The mild flavor of chicken tenders lends itself well to a wide range of flavor profiles and types of cuisine. Tangy, spicy, sweet and sour glazes and popular dipping sauces like buffalo, honey mustard, ranch and garlic parmesan all complement this dish and appeal to many audiences.
Why Are Chicken Tenders So Popular?
If you’ve read this far, then it should be fairly obvious that chicken tenders are appealing on several levels:
- Convenience: They’re easy to eat with your fingers, making them especially popular with kids (and their parents).
- Nutrition: Just one tender has nine grams of protein.
- Versatility: Enjoy them grilled, fried, baked on their own, in a wrap or taco, add them to a salad, dip them in some sauce — anything goes!
- Customizable: You can add almost any flavor profile to chicken tenders through the right seasoning, sauce or the way you choose to prepare them.
- Taste: Although it’s obvious, we can’t leave out the fact that chicken tenders taste amazing!
Chicken tenders are a simple, delicious comfort food that is easy to make and eat. Who could ask for anything more?
Where To Get the Best Chicken Tenders
Although the mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire, declared her town to be the chicken tender capital of the world in 2023, chicken tenders can be found nationwide and in many other countries thanks to their convenience, versatility and tasty universal appeal.
We invite you to visit one of our Huey Magoo’s locations to taste for yourself how we are elevating the fast-casual experience through ambiance, food quality and a high level of service for each and every guest who walks through our doors. We offer hand-breaded or grilled chicken tenders on their own or in sandwiches, wraps or salads with several outstanding sauce and dip options and sides too.
What are chicken tenders? At Huey Magoo’s, we call them The Filet Mignon of Chicken® — the best 3% of the chicken — and treat them that way. It’s time to get your protein fix with some of the most mouth-watering chicken tenders around. Stop in and see us today!
