Buffalo Chicken Blitz

The Buffalo Chicken Blitz is a mouthwatering entrée that combines the bold flavors of buffalo sauce with crispy chicken tenders. This dish offers a perfect balance of heat, tang, and savory satisfaction, paired with cool, crunchy celery sticks and creamy macaroni salad. Topped off with fresh strawberries, it’s a meal that hits all the right notes.

The Recipe:

Buffalo Chicken Blitz

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken tenders
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup buffalo sauce
• 2 tbsp butter
• Celery sticks, macaroni salad, and strawberries for serving

Instructions:

1. Preheat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a shallow dish.
3. Place beaten eggs in a second dish and panko in a third.
4. Dredge chicken tenders in flour mixture, then eggs, then panko.
5. Fry chicken for 3-4 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
6. In a small saucepan, melt butter and mix with buffalo sauce.
7. Toss fried chicken tenders in the buffalo sauce mixture.
8. Serve with celery sticks, macaroni salad, and strawberries.

Detailed Preparation:

• To create the perfect Buffalo Chicken Blitz, start by ensuring your chicken tenders are uniform in size for even cooking.
• When breading, use one hand for wet ingredients and the other for dry to avoid clumping.
• For extra crispiness, let the breaded tenders rest in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes before frying.
• Maintain oil temperature between 350-375°F for optimal crispiness.
• Fry in batches to avoid overcrowding, which can lower oil temperature and result in greasy chicken.
• Let excess oil drain on a wire rack rather than paper towels to maintain crispiness.
• For the buffalo sauce, adjust the heat level by mixing hot sauce with melted butter. A 1:1 ratio provides a good balance, but you can alter this to taste.
• Toss the chicken in the sauce immediately before serving to preserve the crispy texture.

Variations:

1. For baked version and a healthier option, bake the breaded tenders at 400°F for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
2. To make a grilled buffalo chicken, marinate chicken in buffalo sauce before grilling for a smoky flavor.
3. For Buffalo chicken wrap, slice the tenders and wrap them with lettuce, tomato, and blue cheese dressing in a tortilla.
4. For spice alternatives, try BBQ sauce, honey mustard, or garlic parmesan coating instead of buffalo sauce.

Tips:

1. Bread the chicken in advance and refrigerate until ready to cook.
2. Use pre-cut chicken tenders to save on prep time.
3. Prepare the buffalo sauce while the chicken is frying.
4. Make a larger batch and freeze uncooked breaded tenders for future meals.

Side Dishes:

Steamed Celery Sticks:

• Trim and cut celery into 3-inch sticks.
• Steam for 2-3 minutes until just tender-crisp.
• Shock in ice water to maintain crispness and color.

Macaroni Salad:

• Cook elbow macaroni al dente, drain and cool.
• Mix with mayonnaise, diced bell peppers, onions, and a splash of vinegar.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Chill before serving.

Strawberries:

• Wash, hull, and slice fresh strawberries just before serving to maintain freshness.

Equipment & Ingredients:

To successfully make your very own version of this delicious chicken dish at home, you may consider purchasing the following items beforehand:

Equipment:

• Deep fryer or large Dutch oven
• Instant-read thermometer for oil temperature
• Wire cooling rack
• Mixing bowls for breading station
• Celery stick cutter for uniform pieces

Ingredients:

• Pasta cooker pot with strainer insert for macaroni
• Strawberry huller tool
• Quality buffalo sauce (Frank’s RedHot is a popular choice)
• Panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness

These items can typically be found on Amazon or other online retailers, allowing you to easily gather all necessary equipment and ingredients for your Buffalo Chicken Blitz feast.