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!
Try these crispy southern baked chicken wings next!
Table of Contents
Shopping list
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.
- Remove a chicken bread strip from the marinade and dredge in flour.
- Dip in the egg mixture.
- Dredge with flour again. Set aside.
- Bring oil to 360F.
- Add the chicken a little at a time without crowding.
- Fry until golden.
- Remove to a paper towel covered plate. Keep warm.
- Serve hot.
- Add your favorite dipping sauce.
In the deep fryer
- Heat the deep fryer to 360F
- 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.
- 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.
In the skillet
- Add about 2 ½ 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
How to reheat chicken strips
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- 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.
- You can also reheat on a grill pan.
- 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.
I like to use this fried chicken recipe for my spicy fried chicken po' boy sandwich!
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
- Copycat Red Robin Campfire Sauce? MY FAVORITE!!
Or, cut the bread sandwich sized instead of strips and use it for sandwiches!
Related recipes
- Homemade Tater Tots are crispy on the outside, light and delicate on the inside. Add bacon, cheese, onion, chives, or jalapenos for variety.
- This is delicious with a side of Dr Pepper baked beans.
- 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.
- These copycat Popeye's Chicken Tenders are PERFECT in my copycat Whataburger Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits!!
- Y'all - honestly... I make the BEST chicken spaghetti... creamy, cheesy...try it and see.
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.
We love this copycat Popeye's blackened chicken, too.
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
Copycat Popeye’s Chicken Strips
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- ⅓ cup Louisiana style hot sauce
- ½ cup buttermilk
- Peanut oil to fill a deep fryer
- ⅔ 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 ½ 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
- Preheat the oven to 375F.
- 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.
- Heat for about 10 minutes, turning once.
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.
First published October 4, 2014. Last updated March 26, 2020 to add air fryer and skillet instructions, images, video, and better readability.
Mark Wahmhoff says
My partner doesn't like spice so I left out the hot sauce in the marinade. Chicken and batter were a bit bland. Will up the salt and seasoning next time.
Marye says
Yeah, when you take the hot sauce out of the marinade you have to make up for it somewhere else.
Cindy says
Our Popeye's is closed for renovation - thanks for satisfying my craving!
Camden says
It's easy to get sucked into a drive-thru line, but this Popeyes chicken recipe is definitely worth the bit of extra effort that it takes!
One Crazy House says
Oooh, I bet that this Popeye's chicken tenders recipe would be so yummy in a wrap with cheese, veggies, and ranch dressing!
Cynthia says
I love that this Popeyes chicken recipe allows you to enjoy the taste of takeout while saving money!
Cyndy says
Thank you for sharing this Popeyes chicken tenders recipe. To be honest, I find it tastier than the real thing!
Alyssa says
I can't wait to try this popeyes chicken tender recipe. Chicken tenders are one of my favorite comfort meals and my boys love them too!
Brandi says
We're going to be trying this popeyes chicken recipe for dinner tonight and I can't wait! We'll be using the air fryer so hopefully, it turns out just as tasty as if we were deep frying it.
Sharon says
Crispy and spicy has to be one of the best combinations, ever! I can't wait to make a batch of this popeyes chicken recipe!
Holly says
I think that this popeyes chicken tenders recipe is something that everybody in the family will agree on! Looks amazing!
Kristen says
Do you think I could get away with making a gluten free version of this popeyes chicken recipe? It might be worth some experimenting on my end, haha! This looks fabulous!
Rita Joy says
Can you believe I've never been to a Popeye's before?? But...I must say, if it's anything like this popeye's chicken tenders recipe, I think I'd like it a lot! Chicken tenders are one of my favorite things, too - like your "child that shall remained unnamed" in the post!;)
Cynthia says
This was a definite "Mom win!" The girls loved your Popeyes chicken tenders recipe.
Brittany says
We try not to eat out often, so I was happy to find your Popeyes chicken recipe to recreate another tasty meal at home!
Chanel Pugh says
How do I make the strips mild and spicy?
Marye says
For mild leave out chipotle, red pepper, or any kind of spicy seasoning. Just use salt and pepper in the flour. For spicy you'll add chipotle, red pepper, or cayenne to taste.
Tony Boswell says
I can't every get the chicken to be crispy a few minutes out of the oil 😕... It always gets soggy and the batter slides off the chicken when you pick it up, unlike Popeyes... It stays on and stays crispy... What am I doing wrong here?
I always put the chicken on a grate lined with paper towels to soak up the grease... But that doesn't work...
Marye says
If you maintain the correct frying temperature it won't be greasy and should be cooked through. Don't overload the fryer - it drops the temperature of the oil. Use a good frying oil.
Gigi says
Taste was great..I'm not sure what I did wrong but the breading would not stick at all to the chicken. Either would break off while trying to pick up chicken to drain ,or once cooled it was soggy and also fell off.
Marye says
The oil wasn't hot enough or you overloaded the fryer and the oil cooled too. much. Be sure to only put a few pieces in at a time and to keep the temperature constant.
Chanel Pugh says
Is this the recipe for Popeyes spicy chicken strips?
Marye says
You can add some cayenne to the coating to make them spicier... I don't think they're spicy but some might. I also have their blackened chicken tender which are spicy - https://www.restlesschipotle.com/popeyes-blackened-chicken-recipe/
Diane says
We love this chicken,so flavorful and juicy!
Robert C DeCuir says
Congratulations with offering a complete recipe! I can't tell you how many recipes I've gone thru that are either incomplete (Just add your favorite Cajun Seasoning) or simply had a unworkable combination. I wish you the best and thank you for offering this.