Spicy Cajun Chicken Strips with Ranch Dressing

Looking for a dish that’s equal parts spicy, crispy, and utterly delicious? Look no further! Our Spicy Cajun Chicken Strips with Ranch Dressing are the perfect blend of bold flavors and satisfying crunch that will leave your taste buds dancing. This recipe is easy to follow and can be whipped up in no time, making it a perfect choice for a weeknight dinner or a game-day snack. The combination of Cajun spices and homemade ranch dressing takes these chicken strips to a whole new level, ensuring that every bite is packed with flavor. Plus, they’re a hit with both kids and adults alike!

Let’s dive into why you’ll love this recipe and how to make it at home!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

There are countless reasons to fall in love with our Spicy Cajun Chicken Strips with Ranch Dressing, but here are just a few:

• Flavor Explosion: The Cajun seasoning brings a robust, spicy flavor to the chicken, while the ranch dressing provides a cool and creamy contrast, creating a perfect harmony of tastes.
• Perfectly Crispy: Our method for marinating the chicken in buttermilk before frying ensures that every piece is juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside.
• Versatile Dish: These chicken strips are incredibly versatile! Serve them as an appetizer, pair them with a salad for a complete meal, or enjoy them in a wrap for lunch.
• Homemade Goodness: Making your own ranch dressing means you can customize it to suit your taste, ensuring every bite is just right.
• Kid-Friendly: Kids love finger foods, and these chicken strips are sure to be a hit with the younger crowd, making family dinners a breeze.

Why You Should Try This Recipe

If you’re still on the fence about making these delicious Spicy Cajun Chicken Strips with Ranch Dressing, consider the following:

• Quick and Easy: This recipe can be made in under 30 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or unexpected guests.
• Meal Prep Friendly: You can marinate the chicken ahead of time and fry it when you’re ready to serve, saving you precious time in the kitchen.
• Healthy Option: By using boneless, skinless chicken breasts and controlling the ingredients in your ranch dressing, you can create a healthier version of this classic dish.
• Impressive Presentation: When arranged beautifully on a platter with the ranch dressing in a dipping bowl, these chicken strips will impress anyone at your table.
• Great for Leftovers: If you happen to have any leftovers, they can be enjoyed cold or reheated the next day, making them perfect for lunchboxes or quick snacks.

Ingredients and Necessary Utensils

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make Spicy Cajun Chicken Strips with Ranch Dressing:

• For the Chicken Strips:
• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

• For the Ranch Dressing:
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 1 tablespoon buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon dried dill
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Necessary Utensils

To make this recipe a success, you will need the following utensils:

• Mixing bowls
• Whisk
• Knife and cutting board
• Slotted spoon or tongs
• Large skillet or frying pan
• Paper towels for draining
• Platter for serving

Detailed Recipe Steps

Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s get started on making these delicious Spicy Cajun Chicken Strips with Ranch Dressing!

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Strips

1. Marinate the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into strips and place them in a bowl. Pour the buttermilk over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for best results). This step is crucial for tender, flavorful chicken!
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the flour, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. This blend will give your chicken a deliciously spicy crust.
3. Coat Chicken: Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, allowing the excess to drip off. Dredge each strip in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing lightly to adhere. This ensures that you get a good, crispy coating on each strip.
4. Heat Oil: In a large skillet, heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot (around 350°F). A good test is to drop a small amount of flour into the oil; if it sizzles, it’s ready!
5. Fry Chicken Strips: Carefully add the coated chicken strips to the hot oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the strips to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 2: Prepare the Ranch Dressing

1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth and well combined. This homemade ranch dressing is a game changer!
2. Chill: Cover the ranch dressing and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. The chilling time is key for a refreshing dip that complements the spicy chicken.

FAQs

Conclusion

In summary, our Spicy Cajun Chicken Strips with Ranch Dressing are a delightful dish that captures the essence of bold flavors and crispy textures. Perfect for any occasion, they are sure to impress your family and friends. Don’t forget to try making the homemade ranch dressing; it’s simple and elevates the dish to a whole new level of deliciousness!

We invite you to comment below with your thoughts or variations on the recipe, and if you enjoyed it, please share this article with your friends and family! Happy cooking!

For more delicious recipes, check out these internal links: Crispy Chicken Meatballs with Honey Mustard Dip, Spicy Beef Bites with Soy Ginger Dipping Sauce. Don’t forget to visit our Pinterest for more inspirations: Pinterest.

Spicy Cajun Chicken Strips with Ranch Dressing

Crispy, spicy Cajun chicken strips served with a creamy homemade ranch dressing for the perfect dipping experience.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 1 hour hr

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American, Cajun

Servings 4 servings

Calories 410 kcal

Equipment

• Skillet
• Mixing Bowls

Ingredients

  

For the Chicken Strips

• 1 lb Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup Buttermilk
• 1 cup All-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne pepper Adjust to taste
• for frying Vegetable oil

For the Ranch Dressing

• 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup Sour cream
• 1 tablespoon Buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon Dried dill
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• to taste Salt
• to taste Pepper

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Cut the chicken breasts into strips and place them in a bowl. Pour the buttermilk over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or overnight for best results).
• In a separate bowl, combine the flour, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
• Remove the chicken from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each strip in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing lightly to adhere.
• In a large skillet, heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot (around 350°F).
• Carefully add the coated chicken strips to the hot oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
• Use a slotted spoon to transfer the strips to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
• In a medium bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, dried dill, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
• Cover the ranch dressing and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
• Arrange the spicy Cajun chicken strips on a platter and serve with the homemade ranch dressing for dipping.

Notes

Feel free to adjust the level of cayenne pepper to your preferred spice level. Enjoy!

Keyword Cajun chicken, chicken strips, fried chicken, Ranch Dressing