Once upon a time, ordering chicken tenders or strips at a restaurant was met with raised eyebrows and the occasional “Isn’t that for kids?” remark. It wasn’t enough to stop anyone from enjoying boneless chicken’s crispy, tender goodness, but the stigma was real.
Thankfully, we’ve entered a golden age for chicken tenders, and what was once considered a “kids’ meal” is now an undeniable culinary favorite. A chicken tender renaissance has arrived, and it’s here to stay.
While chicken tenders aren’t new, their recent popularity is closely tied to the boom of chicken nuggets in the 1980s. This evolution has paved the way for chicken tenders to take center stage in the culinary world.
As a result, we now see entire restaurant chains dedicated to serving these delicious, breaded wonders, from popular spots like Huey Magoos and Raising Cane’s to fast-casual favorites like PDQ or even KFC’s Saucy! Chicken tenders/strips/fingers have gone from an afterthought on the menu to the star attraction in many eateries.
Tell Me More About the Chicken Tender Revolution
So, who makes the best chicken tenders, strips, and nuggets in South Florida? You may ask, “Does it even matter?” Well, it does! The Boneless Chicken Revolution is here, and the choices are endless.
With new restaurants and concepts popping up, there’s a fresh, innovative approach to preparing and serving chicken tenders, ensuring that the possibilities for flavor and texture are virtually limitless. What was once relegated to kids’ menus has now evolved into a full-fledged culinary movement.
The future of chicken tenders looks brighter than ever. Gone are the days of being judged for enjoying a plate of tenders—today, everyone’s in on the secret. From local diners to fast-food giants, you’ll find tenders in many forms: crispy fingers, spicy strips, popcorn chicken, or the classic nugget.
So, next time you’re perusing a menu, rest assured that ordering chicken tenders is no longer just for the kids—it’s a tasty choice that anyone can enjoy, no matter their age.
Best Chicken Tenders in South Florida
Don’t forget to celebrate National Chicken Finger Day every July 27th!
Below is the list of the best chicken fingers, chicken strips, chicken tenders (or tendies), and boneless chicken bites I’ve eaten over the last few years. Please note that I make some mention of the dipping sauces, but that’s cause they deserve a separate post altogether.
Chicken Tenders – Mom and Pop Restaurants
BRGR STOP
BRGR Stop is through and through, a comfort food burger joint. Of course, the burgers are great, but the Captain Crunch Chicken Fingers are unbelievably addictive. If that wasn’t enough, the jalapeño ranch dipping sauce was incredible.
How good was it? It was so good that I would have filled my car trunk with chicken fingers and jalapeño ranch sauce if they had no expiration date.
BRGR Stop
1930 E Sunrise Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL
(954) 533-8621
Bud’s Chicken and Seafood
I’m telling you that the boneless chicken game is strong at Bud’s Chicken and Seafood. Again, much like their sandwich, the chicken fingers don’t need anything else. But you have to try that Bud’s Sauce! It’s their version of the Southern Comeback Sauce.
Bud’s Chicken and Seafood
2579 Northlake Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL
(561) 848-7500
Chefs on the Run
There is no settling here at Chefs on the Run, as the Habanero Butter Chicken is beyond excellent. It has the just-right buttery habanero sauce (not too spicy) and a side of blue cheese mousse sauce. What a dish!
Chefs on the Run
10 E Mowry Drive
Homestead, FL
(305) 245-0085
Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill
What exactly to eat at Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill is always a tough call. However, those panko-breaded chicken strips are always a great choice. Your best bet is to order them as an appetizer and pick at them throughout the meal so you can be fulfilled.
Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill
1821 Cordova Road
Fort Lauderdale, FL
(954) 768-8990
Hook Fish and Chicken
As crispy and tasty as the lemon pepper wings are at Hook Fish and Chicken, and trust me, they are, it was the hand-breaded chicken tenders that knocked my socks off. The tendies I chose were dusted with the lemon pepper seasoning. Do not share these babies; you will regret it…I know I did.
Hook Fish and Chicken
1001 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd
West Palm Beach, FL
(561) 835-9035
Hot Chicks House of Chicken
The Best Nashville Hot Chicken sandwich I’ve eaten is from Hattie B’s in Nashville and Swine & Sons in Winter Park. Hot Chicks is just as good as those and possibly better cause they’re within driving distance of me. But, and it’s a big but…the tenders are five stars across the board. It’s what we call the next level.
Hot Chicks House of Chicken
14816 Pines Boulevard
Pembroke Pines, FL
(754) 703-5119
Legends Tavern and Grille
The tenders from Legends Tavern and Grille are crispy and crunchy, reminiscent of a fish fry dinner we ate at Boyce General Store in Kentucky. This is a compliment of the highest order, and don’t sleep on the housemade honey mustard cause that would be a mistake.
Legends Tavern & Grille
1387 S University Drive
Plantation, FL
(954) 652-1162
North South Grill
If you show up with your big boy pants at North South Grill, you must leave room for their hand-breaded buttermilk chicken tenders. These are some of the heaviest tenders I’ve encountered in my boneless chicken adventures.
The five-piece tenders arrived on a bed of super tasty fresh cuts with our choice of honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or ranch. I would consider this a shareable plate unless you are a bottomless pit.
North South Grill
154 S Flamingo Road
Pembroke Pines, FL
(954) 404-8308
The Side Chick
If you are starving, the giant chicken tenders at the Side Chick food truck are the way to go. The Tender Box has three giant tendies tossed in a rub or sauce; we chose dry rub, hot with the Wifey dipping sauce.
The heat from those tenders had me crying happy tears. While the Wifey Sauce was good for dipping the dusted fries, it was no match for the Hot Honey.
The Side Chick at Westar Gas Station
6776 SW 117th Avenue
Miami, FL
(305) 565-9376
Chicken Tenders – National or Regional Restaurants
Carl’s Jr.
As a longtime fan of Carl’s Jr., my excitement when they finally opened in Miami was off the charts. The handbreaded chicken tenders might be the best thing on their menu, with the Jalapeño Cheeseburger being a close second. What I’m trying to say is, make sure that you order some chicken tenders for “sharing.”
Huey Magoo’s
The nearest Huey Magoos is still *45 minutes away from but worth the drive. We always eat in our car cause of the current situation. Even if I had the willpower to wait till I got home, those tenders wouldn’t be the same as piping hot, just fried tenders.
Huey Magoo’s chicken tenders are juicy and perfect for dipping in one of their sauces (Magoo’s, Spicy Magoo’s, Homemade Ranch, Bleu Cheese, Honey Mustard, Buffalo, Barbeque, Garlic Parmesan, Sweet Heat).
*not anymore
Popeyes
I can’t hit up the Popeyes drive-thru and not order some of those crispy chicken tenders. Everyone will probably lean toward the ranch dipping sauce, but you should get that Mardi Gras Mustard dipping sauce cause it’s killer.
Raising Cane’s
The rug that ties the room together at Raising Cane’s is their Cane’s sauce, a close cousin of comeback sauce. It’s served with the tenders, their sandwich, and it’s great for dunking your Texas toast.
Listen, these chicken tendies are great if you choose to go sauce-less, but I wouldn’t, and this comes from a less is more kinda guy.
Twin Peaks
The chicken tenders from Twin Peaks are legitimately delicious. These fellas are fried and then tossed in a buttery Buffalo hot sauce. I made the mistake of ordering the sampler on my first visit, which means the amount of tenders was limited. We corrected the mistake the second time around and haven’t looked back since.
If you love chicken tenders, you must also enjoy chicken sandwiches. You might as well check out my Best Chicken Sandwiches in Miami list!
