Copycat Popeye's Chicken Strips

Good news! You're about to save a lot of money! This Copycat Popeye's Chicken is so easy you'll never go back to fast food again!

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If you don't have a Popeye's Chicken in your neck of the woods then you don't understand the enormity of posting this recipe. Popeye's makes fried chicken like no other — spicy, smoky, crispy perfection. They have their own special sauce to dip it in but my kids like honey mustard sauce or bbq the best.

Or Ranch. You can't go wrong with Ranch.

• Boneless chicken breast or thighs
• Louisiana hot sauce
• Buttermilk
• Peanut oil (if deep frying)
• Chipotle powder
• All-purpose flour
• Smoked paprika
• Eggs
• Salt

Instructions

There are three ways to make these:

• In a deep fryer
• In a cast iron skillet
• In an air fryer

To me the very best flavor is when they're done in a deep fryer but I think it's good to have options, right?

No matter which way you make these chicken strips you'll start the same. Always marinate for 30 minutes in the buttermilk mixture but not more than an hour.

1. Remove a chicken bread strip from the marinade and dredge in flour.
2. Dip in the egg mixture.
3. Dredge with flour again. Set aside.
4. Bring oil to 360F.
5. Add the chicken a little at a time without crowding.
6. Fry until golden.
7. Remove to a paper towel covered plate. Keep warm.
8. Serve hot.
9. Add your favorite dipping sauce.

In the deep fryer

1. Heat the deep fryer to 360F
2. Drain the chicken.
3. Dip it in the flour mixture.
4. Dip it into the egg mixture.
5. Dip back into the flour mixture.
6. Repeat with all of the chicken.
7. Fry in the deep hot oil until the outside is golden and an instant read thermometer registers 165F when poked in the center of the chicken strip.
8. Don't overcrowd the fryer.
9. Drain and keep warm until serving.

In the skillet

1. Add about 2 1/2 inches of oil to a heavy skillet.
2. Heat on medium heat but watch it while you are preparing the chicken. if it starts to smoke turn it down or remove it from the heat.
3. Drain the chicken.
4. Dip it in the flour mixture.
5. Dip it into the egg mixture.
6. Dip back into the flour mixture.
7. Repeat with all of the chicken.
8. Check the oil and make sure it's at 360F.
9. Fry in the hot oil until the outside is golden and an instant read thermometer registers 165F when poked in the center of the chicken strip.
10. Don't overcrowd the fryer.
11. Drain and keep warm until serving.

Air fryer

1. Heat the air fryer to 400F
2. Drain the chicken.
3. Dip it in the flour mixture.
4. Dip it into the egg mixture.
5. Dip back into the flour mixture.
6. Repeat with all of the chicken.
7. Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
8. Add a few of the chicken strips, making sure they don't touch.
9. Spray the chicken lightly with cooking spray.
10. Cook for 10 minutes.
11. Carefully turn the chicken and cook for 10 more minutes.
12. Repeat until all the chicken is cooked.
13. Keep warm until serving.

How to reheat chicken strips

1. Preheat the oven to 375F.
2. If you have an oven safe wire rack place it over a baking sheet and put the chicken on it in a single layer. If not just put the tenders on a baking sheet.
3. You can also reheat on a grill pan.
4. Heat for about 10 minutes, turning once.

Tips

The trick is to marinate the chicken strips in seasoned buttermilk for 30 minutes or so before frying them. This allows the buttermilk to tenderize the meat at the same time the seasonings are absorbed. The chicken comes out juicy and tender with lots of flavor.

The secret to the flavor here is smoked paprika. I am relatively sure that Popeye's uses regular paprika but if they try it my way once they won't go back to their way. I promise you that.

Keep them hot in a warm oven until it's all done. Serve with fries and cole slaw.

What to do with frying oil

Here's the thing. I fry everything in peanut oil. I like it, it fries hot, and it's my preference. If you have allergies to consider then fry in whatever deep frying oil you prefer. If you don't have allergies use the peanut oil.

Once you're done, let the oil cool down completely and then pour it into a container. You can reuse it once or twice if it's still clear - otherwise put it into a container and throw it out.

Some cities recycle cooking oil so you may want to check into that if you fry a lot.

Dips

These chicken tenders are good plain or dipped in your favorite sauce.

• Chipotle Aioli is one of my favorites. Spicy and creamy.
• Jezebel Sauce is a southern favorite. Spicy, sweet, and tangy all at the same time.
• Ranch
• BBQ Sauce
• Bleu Cheese Dressing
• Honey Mustard

Or, cut the bread sandwich sized instead of strips and use it for sandwiches!

Related recipes

• Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Wings have a spicy herb coating and a sweet, tongue tingling honey bourbon glaze. So totally addictive that you just can’t stop at one!
• Homemade Tater Tots are crispy on the outside, light and delicate on the inside. Add bacon, cheese, onion, chives, or jalapenos for variety
• Onion Rings are light and crispy. They come out perfect every time. You'll never go back to the ones at the local fast food spot.

Equipment

The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

If you happen to need an electric deep fryer the Presto 05466 Stainless Steel Dual Basket Pro Fry Immersion Element Deep Fryer is the one I have used for a couple of years. I love it!

What’s new? Check out my Restless Chipotle & Co. Store on Amazon where you'll find all kinds of nostalgic goodness!  Thanks so much for being a part of Restless Chipotle!

KaffeeKlatch

I have a child, who shall remained unnamed here, who does not appreciate having a food writer mom. If this child had its way I would work in a fast food restaurant and bring home Popeye's chicken strips every night.

Do you know how depressing it is to place a complex dish with a French name in front of someone only to have them ask to be taken to the local fast food place?

I am devastated.

And by devastated I mean determined to change the child's preferences...

Anyway,  I have decided to fight fire with fire so to speak and make copycats of those foods. It took me a few times to get chicken strips I was pleased with but these fit the Happy Meal box nicely.

In fact, the child who shall not be named said, Thanks for dinner mom! It was reallly good!

I thought I heard Twilight Zone music and I was tempted to check the back yard for pods.

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need. Don't forget that you can click on "add to collection" to save it to your own, private recipe box!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 Recipe

4.24 from 50 votes

Copycat Popeye’s Chicken Strips

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Crispy, spicy chicken tenders are better than the fast food favorite. The meat is tender and juicy and the coating is perfectly crisp and spicy. Deep fryer, skillet, and air fryer instructions included. Because of the hot oil this recipe is not recommended for young cooks. Difficulty level 2/10

Course Main Dish - Chicken

Cuisine American - Southern

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Marinate: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Servings:6 servings

Calories:335

Author:Marye Audet-White

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Equipment Needed

• Cast Iron Frying Pan

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 1/3 cup Louisiana style hot sauce
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• Peanut oil to fill a deep fryer
• 2/3 cup all purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
• 3 eggs

Instructions

• Cut each chicken breast into four or five strips.
• Combine the hot sauce and buttermilk in a small bowl.
• Put half of this mixture in with the chicken, reserving the other half.
• Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes but not more than an hour or two.
• Combine the flour, chipotle, smoked paprika, and salt.
• Beat the eggs with the other half of the buttermilk mixture.
• Drain the chicken.
• Dip it in the flour mixture.
• Dip it into the egg mixture.
• Dip back into the flour mixture.
• Repeat with all of the chicken.

Deep Fryer

• Heat the deep fryer to 360F
• Fry in the deep hot oil until the outside is golden and an instant read thermometer registers 165F when poked in the center of the chicken strip.
• Don't overcrowd the fryer.
• Drain and keep warm until serving.

Skillet

• Add about 2 1/2 inches of oil to a heavy skillet.
• Heat on medium heat but watch it while you are preparing the chicken - if it starts to smoke turn it down or remove it from the heat.
• Check the oil and make sure it's at 360F.
• Fry in the hot oil until the outside is golden and an instant read thermometer registers 165F when poked in the center of the chicken strip. Don't overcrowd the fryer.
• Drain and keep warm until serving.

Air fryer

• Heat the air fryer to 400F.
• Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
• Add a few of the chicken strips, making sure they don't touch.
• Spray the chicken lightly with cooking spray.
• Cook for 10 minutes.
• Carefully turn the chicken and cook for 10 more minutes. Repeat until all the chicken is cooked.
• Keep warm until serving.

Notes

The trick is to marinate the chicken strips in seasoned buttermilk for 30 minutes or so before frying them. This allows the buttermilk to tenderize the meat at the same time the seasonings are absorbed. The chicken comes out juicy and tender with lots of flavor.

The secret to the flavor here is smoked paprika. I am relatively sure that Popeye's uses regular paprika but if they try it my way once they won't go back to their way. I promise you that.

Here's the thing. I fry everything in peanut oil. I like it, it fries hot, and it's my preference. If you have allergies to consider then fry in whatever deep frying oil you prefer. If you don't have allergies use the peanut oil.

Keep them hot in a warm oven until it's all done. Serve with fries and coleslaw.

To Reheat

1. Preheat the oven to 375F.
2. If you have an oven safe wire rack place it over a baking sheet and put the chicken on it in a single layer. If not just put the tenders on a baking sheet.
3. Heat for about 10 minutes, turning once.

Nutrition

Calories: 335kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 1275mg | Potassium: 440mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 607IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 2mg

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First published October 4, 2014. Last updated March 26, 2020 to add air fryer and skillet instructions, images, video, and better readability.