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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.

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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!

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.

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:
- 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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. - 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.

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:
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

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.
Ronda says
These were really good! Easy to follow recipe.
Angela says
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!!
Mimi says
I love this recipe! It is easy and flavorful!
amy liu dong says
Oh my gosh, crispy outside and tender inside. I bet the dip looks delicious too!
Gust says
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!
Cara says
We love Cane’s but it’s out of our way and getting expensive. This copycat recipe was spot on, will make again!
Angela says
This chicken recipe turned out so delicious! The entire family loved it…I can’t wait to make it again!!
Catalina says
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!
Sue Lau says
We love Canes! So it will be great to always have the recipe. Thanks.
Mahy says
I was super excited about this recipe. I have never cooked chicken like this, so this was incredible!
Sue says
We love Canes. This is going to save me so much money. Thanks for sharing.
Maria says
This is amazing! I love Cane’s, and this is just as good as theirs. Love it.
Nicole Kendrick says
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.
Gracie says
My kids loved this homemade canes recipe!
Kathryn says
Oh my gosh!!! This was so good! Obsessing over having cane’s at home now!
Lisa says
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.
Beth says
So so good!
hanna says
Big hit at our house!
Lucy says
My kids are in love with this recipe!
Dayna says
Perfect cane’s chicken recipe.
Jackie says
My kids are obsessed with cane’s and this was just as good at home!
Sol says
This copycat recipe was spot on. Saved me so much money on buying canes chicken for my kids.
Aunalee says
Absolutely incredible. My kids are always asking for Cane’s but now I can totally say “we’ve got Cane’s at home!”
Desiree says
My daughter is ALWAYS wanting cane’s. Sooo excited to have found this recipe. The sauce is perfect too!
Billie says
This was delicious! Made it for my kids, their cousins and grandma and everyone loved it.
Terri says
Simply amazing!! Great recope! Kids loved it and already asking when we can have it again. Thank you for sharing.
Estella says
My kids have been asking for these cane chicken tenders on repeat since we tried this recipe months ago. It’s a keeper!
Dawn says
So good!!!
Dawn says
This was SO GOOD and easy, too! My kids asked me to make it at least once a week.
Stacy F says
I make this EVERY WEEK! It never disappoints. Thank you for the recipe!
Liz says
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!
Kelly B says
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!!!
Jenna says
These were epic. My kids said they were better than Cane’s chicken tenders. Will be making again.
Frances says
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!
Alexa evans says
Do you think airfrying would work well for this?
Laura Fuentes says
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.
Julia says
We just adore this chicken! We have made it many times! Everyone devoured it!
Elizabeth says
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.
kushigalu says
I love the combination of ingredients, flavor, and texture in this homemade Cane’s chicken recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Mahy says
Oh wow, I can’t believe how easy it was to follow this recipe – you make everything super clear.
Lesley says
Just wondering, is the coconut sweetened or unsweetened?
Laura Fuentes says
Unsweetened. I will make a note Lesley. thanks!
Lesley says
Thank you so much! Can’t wait to try it out 🙂
Cristina says
Making these today, was wondering if you can freeze these? If so do you bake first or freeze after breading? Thanks in advance.
Cristina
Laura Fuentes says
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! 🙂
vanessa says
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.
Laura Fuentes says
GREAT tip Vanessa! Thank you!
Heather says
Just wondering about the lunches that would usually be eaten hot. Do the kids like them cold?
Laura Fuentes says
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
Kelly @ The Nourishing Home says
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
Cristi says
I LOVE coconut, I would never have thought to use it in chicken breading! Sweet!
tatania says
are those lunch containers?
Laura Fuentes says
Yes, the ones pictured here are Laptop Lunches. you can find them at http://www.MOMables.com/store
Tiffany C. says
YUMMMMM – E!!!
Mum of all trades says
This sounds so delicious. I would never have thought of using coconut with chicken.
Laura Fuentes says
it really gives it a crispy and sweet taste 🙂 let me know how it comes out!
BusyDad says
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!
Keeley McGuire says
Yum!! Sounds delish. 🙂