Popeyes Blackened Chicken Tenders are one of the most popular menu items for anyone looking for big Louisiana flavor without the breading. Some of us? Obsessed. Juicy chicken strips are coated in a homemade, smoky Cajun seasoning blend, seared until dark and flavorful, then finished with butter for that restaurant-style taste.
❤️ Why you'll love it
- Lean chicken tenders that are bursting with bold flavor that tastes just like the ones at Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. (Honestly, better!)
- This copycat recipe is perfect for those on a ketogenic diet because they are low carb but still have that amazing Louisiana flavor.
- No need to wait in line or pay high restaurant prices when you are craving this classic Popeye's menu favorite.
I love these served with copycat Red Robin campfire sauce!
🧾 Ingredients for copycat Popeyes blackened chicken
Don't let the spice list scare you off. It's mostly pantry staples with strong opinions. Together they create that smoky, savory Popeyes flavor that makes people pull into the drive-thru only to hear the three most disappointing words in fast food history: "We're out today."
- Chicken breast - the foundation of the whole operation. Slice it into strips and nobody will know you didn't buy tenderloins.
- Smoked paprika - brings the deep smoky flavor that makes blackened chicken taste like it knows secrets.
- Chipotle powder - a little heat, a little smoke, and just enough attitude.
- Brown sugar - not enough to make it sweet, just enough to balance the spice and help the seasoning caramelize.
- Garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper - the supporting cast that turns plain chicken into something worth fighting your family over.
- Oil - helps the seasoning stick and gives the chicken that dark, flavorful crust.
- Butter - brushed on at the end because life is hard enough already.
📖 Recipe
Popeyes Blackened Chicken Tenders
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- 2 lbs chicken breast tenders, or boneless skinless chicken breasts sliced
- 4 tablespoon butter
- 4 tablespoons vegetable oil
Cajun Seasoning
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar, optional
- ½ teaspoon chipotle powder
Instructions
- If you're using chicken breast slice it the long way into 2-inch wide strips.
- Add the seasonings to a bowl and mix well.
- Place the chicken, 2 tablespoons of the oil, and the seasoning mixture into a large bowl.
- Mix until the chicken is completely coated with seasoning.
- Let stand for at least 20 minutes or up to 24 hours. If you're letting it stand more than 20 minutes cover the bowl and refrigerate. You can also place in a freezer bag and freeze at this point.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil in a large cast iron skillet over high heat.
- When the oil is hot, carefully add the chicken tenders in an even layer. Don't crowd!
- Sear the tenders for 1 ½-2 minutes on each side working in batches. Avoid overcrowding your pan.
- Once the chicken is seared transfer the pieces to the prepared pan.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the chicken reaches 160F.
- Remove from oven.
- Let stand for 10 minutes. During this time it will continue to cook to a safe 165F.
- While chicken is resting add the butter to the skillet and melt it, scraping the bottom of the skillet with a spatula and stirring constantly - don't let it burn.
- Brush the melted butter over the chicken tenders and serve hot.
Air Fryer
- Skip the pan searing and bake in the air fryer at 380° F for 8 to 10 minutes. Check often.
Notes
- Don't skip the butter at the end of the cooking process, this really increases the flavor of your chicken tenders.
- You can increase the heat level by adding more chipotle powder to your seasoning blend.
- If you are using store bought chicken tenderloins I recommend removing the connective tissue, so that your chicken doesn't come out chewy.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
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🔪How to make Popeyes blackened chicken tenders
- If you're using a breast slice it the long way into 2-inch wide strips.
- Toss into the seasoning mix and oil until well coated, then allow it to stand for 20 minutes or up to 24 hours in the fridge. The longer you leave it the more flavor it will have.
- Heat oil in the skillet and sear chicken on both sides.
- Add to a parchment paper lined pan and bake for 10 minutes. Brush with melted butter.
📖 Variations
- You can also cook blackened chicken tenders in the air fryer at 380 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes if you don't want to pan fry them.
- If you don't have chipotle powder on hand, you can use chili powder to avoid an extra trip to the grocery store.
- Not a fan of using peanut oil? You can use vegetable oil, avocado oil or even ghee to fry in.
- You can use boneless skinless thighs if you like. Cut in strips just as instructed in the recipe.
🥫 Storage
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to three days in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap.
Reheat in the oven at 350 degrees for 8 - 10 minutes or in the microwave for one minute or until warm all the way through.
You can also freeze the chicken cooked or uncooked.
I like to toss the raw tenders in the seasoned oil then add to a freezer bag and freeze. It is fine in the freezer for up to three months.
When ready to cook just thaw overnight in the refrigerator and continue on with the recipe! This is especially helpful during football season when we go through tons of these!
They're perfect for tailgating!
💭 Things to know
Expert Tip: Don't skip the butter at the end of the cooking process, this really increases the flavor.
- Dip cooked blackened chicken strips in sour cream, spicy mayo, regular ranch, hot sauce, blackened ranch, or your favorite dipping sauce.
- Make delicious sandwiches by placing a couple of tenders on a toasted brioche bun with your favorite "fixin's".
- You can increase the heat level by adding more chipotle powder to your seasoning blend.
- I recommend removing the connective tissue if you are using store bought chicken tenderloins rather than cutting strips of chicken breast. That way it doesn't come out chewy.
- Even with the brown sugar this recipe has only 3 grams of carbs - but you can leave the brown sugar out or replace it with a brown sugar type sweetener to make it keto-friendly.
- I prefer peanut oil for frying because it fries cleaner. If you have allergies or prefer not to use it then use on of the oils suggested in the variations section.
- Leftovers are great in this bbq chicken salad.
👩🍳 FAQs
Popeyes blackened chicken tenders are strips of chicken coated in a bold Cajun seasoning blend and cooked without breading. The spices create the dark exterior and smoky flavor that make them different from traditional fried chicken tenders.
There is a little bit of heat in this blackened chicken tenders recipe, but it is not overwhelmingly spicy for most people.
No. Unlike traditional fried chicken tenders, Popeyes blackened tenders are not coated in breading. The dark exterior comes from a flavorful Cajun seasoning blend that caramelizes during cooking rather than from a crispy breaded coating.
Yes. Since blackened tenders aren't breaded, they're naturally lower in carbohydrates than traditional fried chicken tenders. You can substute brown sugar flavored sweetener for the brown sugar in the recipe. Always check current nutrition information if you're following a strict keto plan.
Absolutely. Cook them in a preheated 380°F air fryer for 8 to 10 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. The exact time will depend on the thickness of the chicken.
📚 Related recipes
This blackened chicken and huli huli chicken are two of our favorite recipes. There's just so much flavor!
- This crispy oven baked wings recipe is an excellent addition to your weeknight dinner routine or for weekend snacking.
- French onion chicken is simple to make and is great for busy weeknights when you need something quick and delicious for dinner.
- If you love Popeye's you'll also like these copycat crispy Popeye's chicken tenders recipe.
- If your family enjoys spicy chicken recipes, then give this buffalo chicken bake a try.
- Air fryer boneless chicken thighs are done in less than 15 minutes! Quick and easy!
- This green chile chicken casserole is absolutely delish!
🍽️ Serve blackened chicken tenders with...
This chicken recipe is so simple that I like to keep the rest of the meal easy, too. I'll make some of my favorite Southern green beans or crockpot collard greens with bacon for a hot side dish.
I love potato salad with spicy food to add a cooling touch so I'll often serve that, as well. Buttermilk biscuits are a requirement around here - hot, steaming, and dripping with butter.
Check out 70 more ideas for what to serve with blackened chicken
Funny story - these blackened chicken tenders were so good that we couldn't stop eating them. I have one son that works nights so I reminded everyone to save some for him. He ended up with peanut butter and jelly.
Mary W says
I made this as directed. I placed chicken and seasons in a zip lock bag and stored it for a few hours. I cut it up after cooking and put it in a spicy Caesar Salad. It was over the top delicious!
Kimbarly says
Just whipped up these delicious blackened tenders and they were a hit! I've always been a fan of Popeye's version, but making them at home lets you control the spice just right.
Tammy says
Forgot to rate this! This is a must try! Don’t forget the butter sauce. That’s what takes it over the top.
Tammy says
I made this last week. My hubs doesn’t like chicken so he wasn’t interested. That’s sick, right? Anyway, I’m not ashamed to tell you this was so good I ate all of it! All by myself! I’m not sorry!!
Janett says
Turned out Delicious. I didn’t use the brown sugar or chipotle seasonings. But I did add 1 tsp of blackened seasoning. Loved the butter sauce.
Very good recipe.