Buffalo Chicken Tenders: Cornflake Crust, Buttermilk Soak, Brown Butter Buffalo Honey Sauce

# Why this version of buffalo tenders works

# What to expect Prep time is short on hands-on steps (about 15 minutes) but you should plan for a 4-hour marinade. Bake the tenders 20 minutes until golden. The recipe yields roughly four servings.

# Key ingredients and roles

• Chicken tenderloins: quick-cooking strips that soak up the buttermilk seasoning.
• Buttermilk plus salt and spices: tenderizes and seasons the meat during the 4-hour soak.

# Step-by-step overview

1. 1Marinate: Whisk buttermilk with kosher salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper. Add tenders and chill 4 hours or overnight.
2. 2Prepare coating: Crush cornflakes but leave some larger pieces. Combine with panko, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Coat the drained tenders so the mixture forms textured ridges.
3. 3Bake: Arrange tenders with space between each one on a sheet pan (use a wire rack if available) and bake until deeply golden and crispy around the edges.
4. 4Make sauce: Brown unsalted butter 3–4 minutes to develop a golden color and nutty aroma. Stir in Frank's RedHot, honey, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and a pinch of cayenne if desired.

# Practical tips to keep them crispy

• Don't overcrowd the pan. Leave at least a half-inch between pieces so air circulates and the coating crisps instead of steaming.

• When crushing cornflakes, keep some larger flakes. A fine powder reduces the desirable texture that creates the crunchy ridges.

# Serving ideas These tenders work for game-day snacking, casual dinners, or small gatherings. Serve with extra buffalo-honey sauce, ranch or blue cheese dressing for dipping, and simple sides like carrot sticks, celery, or a crisp green salad.

# Quick recipe facts

• Prep: 15 minutes active
• Cook: 20 minutes
• Marinade: 4 hours (or overnight)
• Servings: 4

The combination of buttermilk-soaked chicken, uneven cornflake texture, and brown butter buffalo sauce produces tenders that are crisp at first bite, juicy inside, and flavorful without needing a fryer.