Buttermilk Fried Chicken Fingers

Crispy, tender chicken fingers marinated in spiced buttermilk and fried to golden perfection. These homemade chicken strips are seasoned with herbs and spices, then double-dipped for extra crunchiness.

6 servings
25 hr

Ingredients

  • cups buttermilk
  • cups whole milk
  • 1 small Spanish onion
  • 2 medium jalapeños
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon Tabasco pepper sauce
  • 2 pounds skinless boneless chicken thighs
  • cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons granulated garlic
  • 2 tablespoons onion powder
  • 1⅓ tablespoons dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons ground sage
  • 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1⅓ tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1⅓ tablespoons coarse ground black pepper
  • 4 cups canola oil
  • 1 cup ranch dressing
  • 1 piece deep fry thermometer
  • 2 pieces rimmed baking sheets
  • 2 pieces wire cooling racks

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    In a wide, shallow bowl, combine buttermilk, milk, onion, jalapeño, salt, and Tabasco. Add chicken, cover, and refrigerate for 24 hours.

    1440 min

  2. 2.

    Preheat oven to 250°F. Set cooling racks over rimmed baking sheets. In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated garlic, onion powder, thyme, sage, paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    In a large pot, pour in enough oil to come up to 2 inches. Set over medium-high heat until oil registers 350°F on a deep-fry thermometer. Working in batches of 4 to 5 pieces, remove chicken from marinade, shaking to remove any vegetables and excess liquid, and dredge in the seasoned flour. Fry chicken pieces, turning once, until golden and cooked through, 6 to 7 minutes total per batch. Transfer chicken to wire racks and warm in oven while frying remaining batches.

    45 min

  4. 4.

    Serve chicken fingers with ranch dressing, if desired.

    5 min