The Best Chicken Tenders and Homemade Ranch I've Ever Made

Summary

In this video, the host shares a recipe for homemade chicken tenders and ranch dressing. They demonstrate a method to remove tendons from chicken tenders and marinate them in a mixture of buttermilk and dill pickle juice. The homemade ranch dressing is made from scratch with ingredients like garlic powder, onion powder, and buttermilk, offering a healthier alternative to store-bought versions. The host also discusses the role of MSG in enhancing the flavor of ranch dressing. The tenders are then breaded and fried, resulting in a crispy and tender dish, served with the rich and creamy ranch dressing.

Takeaways

• 🍗 The video emphasizes the comfort and satisfaction of homemade food, like chicken tenders and ranch dressing, over fancy cuisine.
• 🔪 A useful tip for preparing chicken tenders is to use a fork to remove the tendon running through the center.
• 🥣 The marinade for the chicken tenders includes buttermilk, dill pickle juice, Frank's Red Hot sauce, and optionally smoked paprika.
• 🕒 The chicken tenders are marinated for a short period of 2 to 4 hours due to their small size, which allows them to absorb the flavors quickly.
• 🥗 The homemade ranch dressing is made from scratch using ingredients like distilled white vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, MSG, sugar, buttermilk, mayonnaise, and sour cream.
• 🌿 Fresh herbs such as chives, dill, and parsley are finely chopped and added to the ranch dressing for added flavor.
• 🍯 To avoid lumpiness in the ranch dressing, coarse spices like garlic powder are ground finely using a mortar and pestle.
• 🍳 The chicken tenders are breaded with flour, egg wash, and panko breadcrumbs, with a focus on ensuring an even coating.
• 🍳 The cooking method for the chicken tenders is shallow frying in oil heated to 375 degrees, and they are cooked for a total of four minutes.
• 📍 The video creator shares their excitement about moving to a new kitchen in Austin, Texas, and the potential for enhancing their YouTube channel.

Q & A

What is the first step recommended for preparing chicken tenders?

The first step is to remove the tendon from the chicken tenders by using a fork to push it through and then pulling it out with a paper towel.

What is the purpose of marinating the chicken tenders in buttermilk and other ingredients?

Marinating the chicken tenders in buttermilk and other ingredients helps to tenderize the meat and infuse it with flavor.

What are the key ingredients used in the homemade ranch dressing recipe?

The key ingredients for the homemade ranch dressing include distilled white vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, msg, caster sugar, buttermilk, mayonnaise, sour cream, and fresh herbs like chives, dill, and parsley.

Why does the creator of the recipe believe that most store-bought ranch dressings contain msg?

The creator believes that most store-bought ranch dressings contain msg because it is a common ingredient that enhances the flavor, which is why it is widely used in restaurant and home-made ranch dressings.

How long should the chicken tenders marinate before cooking?

The chicken tenders should marinate for about two to four hours to take on the flavors of the marinade effectively.

What is the recommended method for thickening the homemade ranch dressing?

The homemade ranch dressing thickens by incorporating spices and letting it sit in the fridge for half an hour to an hour.

What is the process for coating the chicken tenders before frying?

The process involves coating the tenders first in flour with onion powder, then in egg wash, and finally in panko breadcrumbs, ensuring each layer is well adhered.

What is the recommended oil temperature for frying the chicken tenders?

The oil temperature should be around 375 degrees Fahrenheit for frying the chicken tenders.

How long should the chicken tenders be fried and what is the resting time after cooking?

The chicken tenders should be fried for a total of four minutes, flipping halfway through, and then rested for about three minutes.

What is the significance of the upcoming move to Austin, Texas, mentioned in the script?

The move to Austin, Texas, signifies an upgrade for the creator's kitchen and YouTube channel, promising a new level of content and excitement for the audience.