Pickle-Brined Chicken Tenders

• servings: 6 servings
• total time: 1 hour

Ingredients

1/2 cup spicy dill pickle juice (from 1 [24-oz.] jar of Wickles Dirty Dill Chips)

1 large egg

1 1/2 cups whole buttermilk, divided

2 lb. chicken breast tenders

Peanut or vegetable oil

2 cups self-rising flour

1 Tbsp. seasoned salt

2 tsp. black pepper, plus more for serving

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)

1 cup spicy dill pickle chips (such as Wickles Dirty Dill Chips), plus more for serving

Honey

Directions

Whisk together pickle juice, egg, and 1 cup of the buttermilk in a medium bowl until smooth. Add chicken tenders to the buttermilk mixture; cover and chill at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.

Remove chicken tenders from marinade (do not discard marinade). Add oil to a large cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven, filling to a depth of 1 1/2 inches. Heat over medium-high until oil reaches 350°F, about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, stir together flour, seasoned salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper (if desired), and 3 tablespoons of the marinade in a shallow bowl until well combined. Working with 2 or 3 chicken tenders at a time, dredge in flour mixture, patting to coat. Shake off excess flour mixture, and transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining chicken tenders and flour mixture.

Working in batches, fry breaded chicken tenders, turning occasionally, until golden brown and an instant- read thermometer inserted into thickest portion of chicken registers 165°F, 4 to 6 minutes per batch. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. (Allow oil to return to 350°F between batches.)

Combine pickle chips and remaining 1/2 cup buttermilk in a small bowl. Use a slotted spoon to transfer pickle chips to remaining flour mixture; toss to coat. Add pickles to hot oil; fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil. (Discard any remaining oil.)

Transfer fried chicken tenders and fried pickle chips to a platter. Sprinkle with black pepper, and drizzle with honey. Serve with additional pickle chips, if desired.