These simple, 5-ingredient Buffalo Chicken Tenders are ideal for quenching your craving for saucy wings in a healthier, quicker manner. Ditch the breading and prepare these ranch-seasoned, skillet-cooked chicken tenderloin strips that only require 15 minutes to make. Once combined with a swift buffalo sauce, each bite will deliver the delightful, classic wing taste. Whether served as an appetizer, a snack, or a family dinner, they’re sure to please everyone!
Buffalo Chicken Tenders – The EASY Way!
Buffalo chicken is a universally adored dish! Everyone loves those classic wings at restaurants, but recreating that tangy, spicy flavor at home is surprisingly straightforward. No need to fuss with a deep fryer when a quick buffalo chicken tender recipe is at your fingertips!
Cooking boneless chicken tenderloins without breading in a skillet offers a lighter alternative to deep-fried wings. Plus, they come together in a flash, like 15 minutes fast!
This dish can serve as a family-friendly dinner, a crowd-pleasing appetizer, or a snack for those hungry friends your kids bring home from school. Regardless of how you serve it, it’s sure to be a hit. BONUS – it easily accommodates gluten-free, low-carb, or keto diets.
Why I LOVE this recipe
- Fast – You’ll get these on your table in just 15 minutes, prep included!
- Simple – Is it any easier than just 5 ingredients? No chopping necessary!
- Appetizer or dinner – Perfect as a main protein for dinner or as part of a variety of appetizers.
- Wholesome – Lean, skillet-cooked tenderloin strips provide a healthier way for you and your family to enjoy buffalo chicken.
- One Skillet – Minimal prep, fewer dishes, and just one skillet to clean!
What to Serve with Homemade Buffalo Chicken Tenders
This dish embodies the classic tangy and spicy flavors of buffalo chicken, making it a great match for many traditional accompaniments. You can select from classic options or opt for lighter alternatives.
By choosing two or three additional quick and simple appetizers, you’ll create a grazing table that nobody can resist. Alternatively, you can pair them with vegetable sides or salads to form a wholesome family meal.
Appetizer Ideas
- Carrots, Celery, and Homemade Ranch dressing or Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing – What could be more traditional than crisp veggie sticks paired with dipping sauces beside buffalo chicken tenders?
- Million Dollar Dip – Another tasty 5-ingredient recipe that involves NO COOKING. Those carrot and celery sticks can double as dippers for this too!
- Baked Potato Wedges – These oven-roasted wedges are incredibly simple, crispy, and guaranteed to be devoured quickly.
- Black Bean and Corn Salsa – The refreshing light flavors will provide a nice contrast, creating a well-rounded appetizer spread.
Side Dish Ideas
If you decide to serve this as your main dish, these options can enhance your plate along with the Buffalo Chicken Tenders.
- Oven Roasted Green Beans – This nutritious side will roast in the oven while you prepare your buffalo chicken tenders.
- Oven Roasted Garlic Vegetables – Gather your family’s favorite vegetable mix on a sheet pan and let it roast for you.
- Rotini Pasta Salad – A chilled pasta salad like this can be perfect alongside spicy buffalo chicken. You can even prepare it in advance for convenience.
- Broccoli Cauliflower Salad – Even kids will enjoy this healthy and refreshing salad that gives traditional veggies a flavor boost.
- Ranch Smashed Potatoes – If you want a side dish that’s sure to vanish, these are a must-try. They’re worth every moment spent if you have the time.
Dipping sauces
Buffalo Chicken Tenders truly shine when paired with the right dipping sauce! Our top picks are always a creamy dressing to enhance the flavor!
Recipe Notes
This buffalo chicken tenders recipe is as straightforward as it claims! Just 15 minutes, 5 ingredients, and one pan make it a family-friendly meal. If you enjoy easy recipes, you’ll also appreciate my other chicken tender variations – oven-baked chicken tenders without breading, lemon pepper chicken tenders, and ranch chicken tenders.
In this section, I’ll share several tips and tricks I use to ensure you achieve the best and most flavorful results with this recipe.
Don’t forget to scroll down for the COMPLETE recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Chicken tenderloins – Opting for actual chicken tenderloins is a great time-saver. However, if you have chicken breasts or boneless, skinless thighs available, those will work as well. Simply cut them into evenly sized strips to form tenders.
- Ranch seasoning – You’ll need a full packet of ranch seasoning—no measuring necessary! Alternatively, my homemade ranch seasoning can be used if you prefer. This is also an excellent choice for those following a dairy-free diet or with specific dietary needs.
- Olive oil – While I use olive oil, feel free to swap in canola oil, vegetable oil, or grapeseed oil as alternatives.
- Hot pepper sauce – A vinegar-based hot sauce provides an ideal balance of heat and tanginess. Suggestions include Texas Pete’s, Frank’s Red Hot, Crystal, or Louisiana Hot Sauce; choose one that fits your family’s preferred spice level. You can also opt for store-bought buffalo sauce if you prefer not to make your own.
- Butter – Butter helps transform the hot sauce into that thick, signature buffalo sauce. I recommend using unsalted butter since the ranch seasoning already includes salt. If you are dairy-free, margarine can serve as a substitute.
IMPORTANT: If you have prepared buffalo sauce, you can omit the butter entirely.
Recipe Step by Step
I will highlight some key steps in the recipe here, but be sure to check the recipe card for complete instructions on creating Buffalo Chicken Tenders without breading.
In a mixing bowl, combine chicken tenderloins with ranch seasoning and olive oil.
Transfer the seasoned chicken tenders to a hot skillet to achieve a nicely seared exterior.
Turn the chicken tenders over and cook until fully cooked.
Create a homemade buffalo sauce by blending hot sauce and butter.
Coat the fully cooked chicken tenderloins in buffalo sauce to ensure they’re evenly covered.
Serve while warm and optionally sprinkle with fresh parsley for added color.
Recipe Tips
- Use a large skillet – To achieve that beautiful, flavorful caramelization on the chicken tenders, utilizing a large pan is essential. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of searing—something we want to avoid! If your pan isn’t large enough, it’s best to cook in batches.
- Preheat your pan – Getting your pan and oil hot before adding the chicken is a crucial step to achieving that perfect browning. Start your skillet on medium-high heat to prepare.
- Don’t fiddle with the chicken – Let the pan work its magic for browning. Avoid lifting, moving, or checking on the tenders. For a full 2 minutes, keep hands off!
- Cover to finish – Once you flip the chicken, it will continue cooking on the other side. Covering the pan and reducing the heat will help ensure thorough cooking without burning the outside.
- Don’t overcook the chicken – Dry, overcooked chicken is a disappointment. Due to the quick cooking time of chicken tenders, it’s important to stay vigilant. After flipping, they should take only 3-4 minutes to reach the ideal temperature of 165°F. If possible, use a meat thermometer to ensure you serve the juiciest buffalo chicken tenders.
- Adjust the heat – You can customize the heat level of these Buffalo Chicken Tenders to suit your taste. This can be done by choosing a hot sauce that’s more or less intense, or by adjusting the ratio of hot sauce to butter.
- Let the sauce cool – For a thick coating of buffalo sauce on your chicken tenders, simply allow the sauce to cool after mixing. When you first combine melted butter and hot sauce, it will be quite loose. As the butter cools, the sauce will thicken. After a brief resting period, toss the chicken in the cooled sauce for a perfectly coated buffalo chicken experience.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you’re in a hurry but still want to prepare this recipe, here are some tips to expedite the process!
- Pre-made sauce – Purchase a store-bought buffalo hot sauce and apply it to your chicken directly, skipping the melted butter step.
- Prepare the sauce in advance – Alternatively, you can blend the hot sauce and keep it in the refrigerator for up to a week prior to use.
Recipe Variations
If you adore this recipe as much as we do and are seeking quick ways to switch things up for some variety, these handy tips will help!
- Choose Different Cuts: Thighs, Breasts, or Nuggets – If you prefer a different chicken cut, simply adjust the cooking duration. Boneless, skinless thighs or breasts sliced into thinner cutlets will cook relatively quickly in a skillet, but may need an additional 2-4 minutes on each side. Alternatively, you could transform them into smaller nugget-style pieces, preparing them similarly to my ranch chicken bites before applying the sauce.
- Breaded Tenders – If you’re craving that delightful crispy coating, go ahead! Dredge each tender in flour and beaten eggs, then press them gently into ranch-seasoned breadcrumbs. Bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes before saucing them up. For further guidance, check out my classic baked chicken tenders recipe.
- Add some heat – If your family enjoys spiciness, don’t hesitate to ramp it up! Incorporate a few pinches of cayenne pepper into the ranch seasoning for an extra kick.
Freezer Meal Instructions
Buffalo ranch chicken tenders can be made as a freezer meal for a busy night or to provide nourishment to a friend in need.
- Prepare the chicken according to the recipe instructions, then allow it to cool completely.
- Mix the butter and hot sauce and allow it to cool.
- Store the chicken tenders and buffalo sauce in separate freezer bags or freezer-safe containers.
- Place in the freezer.
- When you’re ready to serve, heat the chicken and sauce separately in either the microwave or on the stovetop, then combine them.
Buffalo Chicken Tenders Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers after whipping up homemade buffalo chicken tenders, you’re in for a treat! They store and reheat wonderfully and can serve as the foundation for an equally tasty dish.
To store leftovers, divide into meal-sized portions, then place in an airtight container and keep:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer for up to one month
Leftover Recipes
- Buffalo Chicken Salad – Enjoy these on a salad in numerous ways! Chop the tenders and layer them on top of mixed salad greens, adding any of your favorite toppings such as tomatoes, cheddar cheese, blue cheese crumbles, green onions, peppers, or avocado. Finish with a drizzle of blue cheese or ranch dressing. Alternatively, use them to craft a spicy chicken cobb salad!
- Buffalo Chicken Sliders – Stack leftover tenders on slider buns with melted jack or cheddar cheese, fresh lettuce, and a drizzle of ranch dressing, then serve.
- Buffalo Chicken Wraps – Spread a large tortilla out and add reheated tenders, lettuce, avocado, sliced tomato, and either blue cheese crumbles or shredded cheddar. Complete with a drizzle of ranch before wrapping it up.
- Buffalo Chicken Pizza – Take a prepared pizza crust and spread a thin layer of ranch on top. Add chopped leftover buffalo chicken tenders, then sprinkle with shredded jack and cheddar cheeses. Bake according to the crust instructions and finish with green onions and an additional drizzle of ranch or buffalo sauce if desired.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
If you liked this recipe, I hope you’ll take the time to explore more easy recipes for your next busy evening!
You can browse all of my easy chicken recipes here, or check out a few of our readers’ favorite dishes listed below.
Saucy Buffalo Chicken Tenders (No Breading)
You won’t even miss the breading, as these Buffalo Chicken Tenders are bursting with flavor! They’re marinated in ranch seasoning and pan-cooked rather than fried, then coated in a decadent, buttery buffalo sauce that creates some of the quickest, simplest, and most delightful chicken tenders in a flash!
servings
Instructions
In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken tenders with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and ranch seasoning, tossing well until the chicken is thoroughly coated.
Heat the remaining oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken tenders in a single layer. Cook without stirring or flipping for 2 minutes, then flip them over, lower the heat, and cover the skillet. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165˚F.
Remove the chicken from the skillet and allow it to rest for a few moments.
In a small bowl, combine melted butter and hot sauce to prepare the buffalo sauce. Let it cool slightly to thicken, then coat the chicken in the buffalo sauce.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve while warm. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Serving: 6ounces, Calories: 430kcal (22%), Carbohydrates: 7g (2%), Protein: 48g (96%), Fat: 22g (34%), Saturated Fat: 8g (50%), Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 168mg (56%),
1975mg (86%), Potassium: 885mg (25%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin A: 379IU (8%), Vitamin C: 25mg (30%), Calcium: 16mg (2%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
