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Home » Recipes » Chicken Dinners

Copycat Cane’s Chicken Recipe with Homemade Cane’s Sauce

By Laura Fuentes Updated Jul 3, 2025

5 from 66 votes

Recipe

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Try this Cane's chicken recipe to get that crispy chicken tender fix at home. You can easily bread and fry this recipe for perfect golden strips you'll want to dunk in the homemade Cane's sauce.

Craving crispy chicken tenders? Try this Cane’s chicken recipe. You can easily bread and fry this recipe at home for perfect golden strips you’ll want to dunk in the homemade Cane’s sauce.

large plate of chicken strips and two dipping sauces
Jump to:
  • Homemade Raising Cane’s Chicken
  • Copycat Cane’s Chicken Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Cane’s Chicken at Home
  • How to Make Cane’s Sauce
  • Dipping Options for Copycat Cane’s Kids Meal
  • Copycat Cane’s Chicken and Sauce

Homemade Raising Cane’s Chicken

Outside of chocolate, Cane’s chicken strips are at the top of my 3 kids’ favorite food list. If they could get mom to make one copycat recipe on repeat, this would be it!

The top reason I love making these at home is that it’s a lot more economical to feed my family of 5 with this recipe and, with a little ingenuity, turn it into a mom-made Cane’s kids meal.

If you’ve never had a Cane’s chicken finger, allow me to briefly explain. Cane’s is a southern restaurant chain known for their delectable white-meat chicken breaded and fried until golden and crispy.

The meal is served with crinkle-cut fries, buttered Texas toast, the infamous Cane’s sauce, and washed down with ice-cold sweet tea or lemonade. It’s heaven for anyone who loves chicken tenders and something you have to try at least once -and now you can with this recipe!

Copycat Cane’s Chicken Recipe

Even the person that is not the biggest fan of drive-thru’s and fast food has a thing for Cane’s chicken tenders. If they say no, they are lying!

This copycat recipe is a very close match you’ll appreciate. The step-by-step directions and tips help create the perfect chicken batch with tender meat and a perfect crunchy coating that’s pretty close to the original.  

Bonus: my copycat Cane’s sauce recipe is also below! 

large plate of chicken tenders, crinkle french fries, Texas toast, and two dipping sauces

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make Cane’s style chicken: 

  • boneless, skinless chicken breasts: you can either slice the chicken breasts into 1 ½-inch strips or use chicken breast tenderloins. 
  • buttermilk: tenderizes the chicken. If you don’t keep buttermilk on hand, check out a substitute in the recipe card below. 
  • Creole or Cajun seasoning: adds Southern flavor to the breading. 
  • flour: for coating. You can also use a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour. 
  • cornstarch: since it’s a starch it gives the fried breading that ‘extra crunch’. 
  • baking soda: works with the acid in the buttermilk to give the fried coating a light texture. 
  • breadcrumbs: use seasoned or traditional breadcrumbs.  
  • oil, for frying: use a neutral oil such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. You’ll need about 4 cups. 

Homemade Buttermilk
If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make your own by combining 1 tablespoon white vinegar with 1 cup of regular milk. If you need a dairy-free alternative, this best option is unsweetened, unflavored soy milk with white vinegar.

copycat cane's chicken strips and french fries. one chicken strip dipping into a pin sauce

How to Make Cane’s Chicken at Home

Alright, grab those ingredients, a large frying pan or cast-iron skillet and let’s make the best, fried chicken tenders: 

  1. Marinate 
    Inside a zip bag, combine 1 cup of buttermilk and 1 tablespoon of Cajun or Creole seasoning. Add the chicken strips and marinate for 3 hours or overnight. 
  2. Create a breading station
    In a shallow dish, combine the dry ingredients: flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and breadcrumbs. In a second shallow dish or medium bowl, combine the buttermilk and ½ tablespoon seasoning. 
  3. Dry, wet, dry
    Remove the chicken from the zip bag into a plate and discard the marinade.
    First, dredge (coat) the chicken strips with the dry mixture on all sides. Then, transfer each piece into the buttermilk mixture, coat well, and go back to the dry station to re-coat the chicken strips. 
  4. Let them dry
    Place coated chicken strips on a wire rack for 5 minutes, so the breading has time to dry onto the chicken. This step is important and will help your chicken get a Cane’s-like texture. 
  5. Heat the oil
    Meanwhile, heat the vegetable oil to 375F in a medium frying pan with sides. Once the oil is hot, drop a 3 to 4 strips at a time and fry, about 4 minutes per side. 
  6. Serve
    Transfer each batch of chicken strips on a paper-towel-lined tray and serve immediately with the homemade Cane’s sauce (below) or your favorite dipping sauce. 

Need to bake instead of fry your tenders? Try my Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders recipe instead.

Can I Prep Chicken Tenders Ahead?

You can prep the recipe, start to right-before-frying up to 24 hours ahead. Make sure to remove the breaded chicken pieces from the refrigerator and bring them to room temperature, about 20 minutes, before frying.

Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in an air fryer, in the reheat setting, or in the oven at 350F for 10 minutes.

Due to the thick coating, I do not recommend freezing leftover chicken tenders. These are best enjoyed at the moment.

How to Make Cane’s Sauce

This recipe is the closest you’ll get to the iconic Cane’s dipping sauce. It has the perfect balance of creamy, savory, and spicy, here’s what you’ll need to make it: 

  • mayonnaise
  • ketchup
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • black pepper, ground
  • garlic powder
  • creole seasoning

Combine the ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth. Refrigerate for up to 1 week and serve with chicken fingers and anything else your heart desires. 

I’ve also included these ingredients and the measurements in the recipe card below.

homemade sauce in a bowl

Dipping Options for Copycat Cane’s Kids Meal

Now, to serve this chicken Cane’s style, just add a side of these New Orlean’s Food Truck Fries and dipping sauce for a true, Cane’s-at-home experience.

If the Homemade Cane’s Sauce recipe above is a no go, try one of these homemade dipping sauces below: 

  • Homemade Ranch Dressing
  • Homemade Ketchup
  • Homemade BBQ Sauce

If your kids love their chicken nuggets, I’ve also got a recipe for Chicken-fil-a style nuggets as well as these healthier, baked McDonald’s nuggets.

Copycat Cane’s Chicken and Sauce

copycat canes nuggets and fries with texas toast and two sauces
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 20 minutes mins
Cook Time: 24 minutes mins
Total Time: 44 minutes mins
Try this Cane’s chicken recipe to get that crispy chicken tender fix at home. You can easily bread and fry this recipe for perfect golden strips you’ll want to dunk in the homemade Cane’s sauce.
5 from 66 votes
Print Pin

Ingredients

  • 3 chicken breasts, cut into strips or 1.5 pounds chicken strips
  • 1 ¾ cup buttermilk, divided*
  • 1 ½ tablespoons cajun or creole seasoning, divided
  • 1 ½ cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs, seasoned or traditional
  • 4 cups oil, for frying

For the Cane’s Sauce

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup ketchup
  • ¼ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, ground
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon creole seasoning

Instructions

  • Inside a zip bag, combine 1 cup of buttermilk and 1 tablespoon of cajun or creole seasoning. Add the chicken strips into the bag and marinate for 3 hours or overnight. 
  • Create a breading station with two shallow dishes. In the first dish, combine the dry ingredients: flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and breadcrumbs. In the second dish or medium bowl, combine the remaining ¾ cup buttermilk and ½ tablespoon (1.5 teaspoons) seasoning. 
  • Remove the chicken from the zip bag into a plate and discard the marinade.
  • First, dredge (coat) the chicken strips with the dry mixture on all sides. Then, transfer each piece into the buttermilk mixture, coat well, and go back to the dry station to re-coat the chicken strips. Dry, wet, dry is the order before frying.
  • Place coated chicken strips on a wire rack for 5 minutes, so the breading has time to dry onto the chicken. This will help your chicken get a Cane’s-like texture so don’t skip that step. 
  • Meanwhile, heat your vegetable oil in a medium frying pan with sides. Once the oil is hot (approx. 375F), drop a few strips at a time and fry them, about 4 minutes per side, until golden brown and fully cooked. Transfer each batch of chicken strips on a paper-towel-lined tray and serve.

For the Cane’s Sauce:

  • Mix dip ingredients in a bowl until well blended. Serve on the side to dip.

Equipment

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Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 329kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 485mg | Potassium: 423mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 912IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 126mg | Iron: 3mg

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Comments

    5 from 66 votes (16 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Ronda says

    June 21, 2025 at 9:53 pm

    5 stars
    These were really good! Easy to follow recipe.

    Reply
  2. Angela says

    June 18, 2025 at 8:44 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe turned out so yummy! It was easy to prepare and the entire family loved it. I can’t wait to make it again!!

    Reply
  3. Mimi says

    June 18, 2025 at 4:31 pm

    5 stars
    I love this recipe! It is easy and flavorful!

    Reply
  4. amy liu dong says

    June 18, 2025 at 2:13 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my gosh, crispy outside and tender inside. I bet the dip looks delicious too!

    Reply
  5. Gust says

    June 18, 2025 at 8:24 am

    5 stars
    I tried this last night and WOW—it really does taste like the real thing! The chicken was super crispy and juicy, and that sauce is absolutely addictive!

    Reply
  6. Cara says

    June 17, 2025 at 8:44 am

    5 stars
    We love Cane’s but it’s out of our way and getting expensive. This copycat recipe was spot on, will make again!

    Reply
  7. Angela says

    June 11, 2025 at 10:32 pm

    5 stars
    This chicken recipe turned out so delicious! The entire family loved it…I can’t wait to make it again!!

    Reply
  8. Catalina says

    June 11, 2025 at 11:21 am

    5 stars
    My family is obsessed with Cane’s and this recipe was a total win at home. The chicken turned out juicy and flavorful, and the homemade sauce is dangerously good!

    Reply
  9. Sue Lau says

    June 11, 2025 at 11:17 am

    5 stars
    We love Canes! So it will be great to always have the recipe. Thanks.

    Reply
  10. Mahy says

    June 11, 2025 at 10:32 am

    5 stars
    I was super excited about this recipe. I have never cooked chicken like this, so this was incredible!

    Reply
  11. Sue says

    June 10, 2025 at 6:06 pm

    5 stars
    We love Canes. This is going to save me so much money. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  12. Maria says

    June 10, 2025 at 2:21 pm

    5 stars
    This is amazing! I love Cane’s, and this is just as good as theirs. Love it.

    Reply
  13. Nicole Kendrick says

    June 10, 2025 at 2:20 pm

    5 stars
    These look so good! I love that they’re made in the air fryer so I don’t have to deal with all the cleanup of oil.

    Reply
  14. Gracie says

    May 16, 2025 at 11:23 am

    5 stars
    My kids loved this homemade canes recipe!

    Reply
  15. Kathryn says

    May 14, 2025 at 9:02 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my gosh!!! This was so good! Obsessing over having cane’s at home now!

    Reply
  16. Lisa says

    May 14, 2025 at 7:59 pm

    5 stars
    I’m a long time fan of Cane’s Chicken and this recipe scratches that same itch. The chicken was very moist from the brine and the sauce was outstanding! My family asked for it to be in regular rotation of treat foods we enjoy.

    Reply
  17. Beth says

    March 15, 2025 at 10:14 am

    5 stars
    So so good!

    Reply
  18. hanna says

    March 14, 2025 at 3:37 pm

    5 stars
    Big hit at our house!

    Reply
  19. Lucy says

    March 06, 2025 at 4:09 pm

    5 stars
    My kids are in love with this recipe!

    Reply
  20. Dayna says

    March 01, 2025 at 3:31 pm

    5 stars
    Perfect cane’s chicken recipe.

    Reply
  21. Jackie says

    February 25, 2025 at 3:10 pm

    5 stars
    My kids are obsessed with cane’s and this was just as good at home!

    Reply
  22. Sol says

    February 19, 2025 at 11:15 pm

    5 stars
    This copycat recipe was spot on. Saved me so much money on buying canes chicken for my kids.

    Reply
  23. Aunalee says

    February 19, 2025 at 4:47 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely incredible. My kids are always asking for Cane’s but now I can totally say “we’ve got Cane’s at home!”

    Reply
  24. Desiree says

    February 06, 2025 at 7:17 am

    5 stars
    My daughter is ALWAYS wanting cane’s. Sooo excited to have found this recipe. The sauce is perfect too!

    Reply
  25. Billie says

    February 03, 2025 at 10:20 am

    5 stars
    This was delicious! Made it for my kids, their cousins and grandma and everyone loved it.

    Reply
  26. Terri says

    January 05, 2025 at 8:03 pm

    5 stars
    Simply amazing!! Great recope! Kids loved it and already asking when we can have it again. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  27. Estella says

    December 25, 2024 at 5:53 pm

    5 stars
    My kids have been asking for these cane chicken tenders on repeat since we tried this recipe months ago. It’s a keeper!

    Reply
  28. Dawn says

    November 23, 2024 at 5:13 pm

    5 stars
    So good!!!

    Reply
  29. Dawn says

    November 23, 2024 at 5:13 pm

    5 stars
    This was SO GOOD and easy, too! My kids asked me to make it at least once a week.

    Reply
  30. Stacy F says

    October 08, 2024 at 7:03 pm

    5 stars
    I make this EVERY WEEK! It never disappoints. Thank you for the recipe!

    Reply
  31. Liz says

    September 25, 2024 at 4:48 pm

    5 stars
    I made these with my adult kids and this recipe is fantastic!!! My son worked in the Dave’s hot chicken restaurant and he gave extra tips which helped me. I’m a vegetarian, but the smell is amazing so I’m gonna try doing this with tofu! lol thank you so much for this recipe. Of course the creole seasoning was fantastic too!

    Reply
  32. Kelly B says

    September 12, 2024 at 10:38 am

    5 stars
    My kids are obsessed with canes and the sauce. When I can’t make it to the drive thru, I’m definitely going to make these!!!

    Reply
  33. Jenna says

    September 11, 2024 at 5:28 pm

    5 stars
    These were epic. My kids said they were better than Cane’s chicken tenders. Will be making again.

    Reply
  34. Frances says

    September 11, 2024 at 9:20 am

    5 stars
    I was tired of spending the money on canes so I gave this a try and my kiddos and I couldn’t get enough! Plus the canes sauce tasted exactly the same!! Yum!

    Reply
  35. Alexa evans says

    May 31, 2024 at 9:57 am

    Do you think airfrying would work well for this?

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes says

      June 05, 2024 at 6:38 pm

      Sure! Preheat your air fryer to 400F (200C) and spray the tenders with some oil. Cook them in the preheated air fryer for 8 minutes on one side, flip them, spray the other side, and cook them for another 6 to 8 minutes.

      Reply
  36. Julia says

    March 29, 2024 at 3:27 pm

    5 stars
    We just adore this chicken! We have made it many times! Everyone devoured it!

    Reply
  37. Elizabeth says

    March 29, 2024 at 2:10 pm

    5 stars
    I can’t wait to try this for my family! I’m dying to try the Cane’s sauce. Thank you so much for the great recipe.

    Reply
  38. kushigalu says

    March 29, 2024 at 1:00 pm

    5 stars
    I love the combination of ingredients, flavor, and texture in this homemade Cane’s chicken recipe. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  39. Mahy says

    March 29, 2024 at 12:54 pm

    5 stars
    Oh wow, I can’t believe how easy it was to follow this recipe – you make everything super clear.

    Reply
  40. Lesley says

    January 25, 2015 at 10:43 pm

    5 stars
    Just wondering, is the coconut sweetened or unsweetened?

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes says

      January 26, 2015 at 12:27 pm

      Unsweetened. I will make a note Lesley. thanks!

      Reply
      • Lesley says

        January 26, 2015 at 9:24 pm

        5 stars
        Thank you so much! Can’t wait to try it out 🙂

        Reply
  41. Cristina says

    July 20, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    5 stars
    Making these today, was wondering if you can freeze these? If so do you bake first or freeze after breading? Thanks in advance.

    Cristina

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes says

      July 20, 2014 at 1:19 pm

      Cristina, you can do it both ways. you can cook them first and freeze leftovers. All you’d have to do is warm them up. If you want to freeze them before baking, add 3-4 minutes to the baking time when you make them next! 🙂

      Reply
  42. vanessa says

    October 19, 2013 at 3:14 pm

    5 stars
    I love this method for cooking chicken. My son loves it and I love that he loves it. The only thing I do differently is I prebake the panko until its golden brown so its super crispy and I use an egg to coat the chicken instead of oil but ill definitely try it your way tonight. Also if you cook the chicken on a cooling rack on top of a cookie sheet you don’t have to flip it and its crispy all the way around.

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes says

      October 21, 2013 at 9:25 pm

      GREAT tip Vanessa! Thank you!

      Reply
  43. Heather says

    August 25, 2013 at 7:34 pm

    5 stars
    Just wondering about the lunches that would usually be eaten hot. Do the kids like them cold?

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes says

      August 25, 2013 at 9:20 pm

      I can’t remember the last time my kids actually ate dinner “hot” so room temperature lunches is what they get. they are not as picky as we think

      Reply
  44. Kelly @ The Nourishing Home says

    February 05, 2013 at 11:58 am

    5 stars
    These sound and look SO good! I’m going to have to try this using GF breadcrumbs. Thanks for sharing on Pinterest – that’s where I saw this today! Lots of blessings, Kelly

    Reply
  45. Cristi says

    June 07, 2012 at 8:25 pm

    5 stars
    I LOVE coconut, I would never have thought to use it in chicken breading! Sweet!

    Reply
  46. tatania says

    May 24, 2012 at 5:44 am

    5 stars
    are those lunch containers?

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes says

      May 24, 2012 at 4:52 pm

      Yes, the ones pictured here are Laptop Lunches. you can find them at http://www.MOMables.com/store

      Reply
  47. Tiffany C. says

    May 17, 2012 at 6:38 am

    5 stars
    YUMMMMM – E!!!

    Reply
  48. Mum of all trades says

    May 15, 2012 at 3:20 am

    5 stars
    This sounds so delicious. I would never have thought of using coconut with chicken.

    Reply
    • Laura Fuentes says

      May 15, 2012 at 10:33 am

      it really gives it a crispy and sweet taste 🙂 let me know how it comes out!

      Reply
  49. BusyDad says

    April 24, 2012 at 7:50 pm

    5 stars
    I don’t like white meat and I don’t like baked (vs fried) that much. But I would tear into those. They actually look fried!

    Reply
  50. Keeley McGuire says

    April 23, 2012 at 5:25 pm

    5 stars
    Yum!! Sounds delish. 🙂

    Reply

Hi! I'm Laura.
Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, mom of three, and the woman behind the world’s best pancakes—here to help you ditch the mealtime drama with recipes your family will actually eat.

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