Ever taken a bite of Raising Cane’s chicken fingers and wondered what makes them so darn crispy and delicious? I’ve been obsessed with their chicken for years, and finally decided to dig into what exactly they use to fry their famous tenders. The answer might surprise you – and it’s a bit more complicated than you might think!
The Official Oil Blend at Raising Cane’s
According to Raising Cane’s official FAQ page they use a combination of oils for their famous chicken fingers
“At Raising Cane’s, we use soy canola and deep frying oil.”
This blend creates that perfect golden-brown exterior that Cane’s fans have come to love. But there’s more to the story than just the oil they use.
The Complete Frying Process Revealed
The magic of Cane’s chicken fingers doesn’t just come from the oil – it’s a combination of factors
- The Oil Blend: A mix of soybean oil and canola oil creates the base for frying
- Seasoned Flour Batter: Their chicken is dipped in a proprietary seasoned flour mixture
- Fresh Never Frozen Chicken: Cane’s prides itself on using premium chicken tenderloins that have never been frozen
- Consistent Frying Temperature: Maintaining the perfect frying temperature creates that signature crunch
The combination of soybean oil and their seasoned flour batter gives Cane’s chicken fingers their distinct flavor and crispy texture that keeps customers coming back for more.
Why Soybean Oil Is Key to Cane’s Success
Soybean oil is a crucial component in Cane’s frying process for several reasons:
- High Smoke Point: Soybean oil can withstand high temperatures without burning
- Neutral Flavor: It doesn’t overpower the chicken’s natural flavor
- Consistent Results: Provides reliable crispiness batch after batch
- Cost-Effective: Allows Cane’s to maintain quality while keeping prices reasonable
The soybean oil primarily serves to enhance the texture and crispiness of the chicken fingers rather than adding a distinct flavor of its own.
The Conflicting Peanut Oil Theory
Interestingly, some sources claim that Raising Cane’s uses peanut oil for their chicken. One article suggests:
“When it comes to frying their chicken fingers, they use pure peanut oil. This may come as a surprise, as most restaurants opt for cheaper oils like canola or vegetable oil for frying.”
However, this contradicts Cane’s official statement that they use a blend of soybean and canola oils. The confusion might stem from comparing Cane’s to other popular chicken restaurants like Chick-fil-A, which does use peanut oil.
The Secret Seasoning Mystery
While we know about the oil, the seasoning in Cane’s flour batter remains a closely guarded secret. The seasoning is believed to contain a blend of herbs and spices carefully selected to enhance the chicken’s flavor, but the exact recipe is kept under lock and key.
What we do know is that the batter doesn’t make the chicken spicy. According to their FAQ page, “Cane’s chicken fingers are not inherently spicy. They have a well-balanced flavor profile with a hint of savory and mild seasoning.”
How The Frying Process Works
Let me walk you through how Cane’s likely prepares their famous chicken fingers:
- Preparation: Fresh, never frozen chicken tenderloins are carefully selected
- Marination: The chicken is marinated to enhance tenderness (though the marinade ingredients are secret)
- Coating: Each tender is dredged in the seasoned flour batter
- Frying: The coated tenders are fried in the soybean/canola oil blend until golden brown
- Draining: Excess oil is allowed to drain off to keep the fingers crispy, not greasy
This meticulous process ensures that every batch of Cane’s chicken fingers has that consistent texture and flavor that fans crave.
Health Considerations of Cane’s Frying Method
For those concerned about health aspects, here’s what you should know about Cane’s frying method:
- Soybean Oil Content: While relatively high in polyunsaturated fats (healthier than saturated fats), it’s still a high-calorie cooking oil
- Calorie Count: A Box Combo containing chicken fingers is approximately 1300 calories
- Allergen Information: Their chicken contains gluten from the flour batter
- No Artificial Additives: Cane’s claims they don’t use artificial additives or preservatives in their frying process
As with any fried food, moderation is key when enjoying Cane’s chicken fingers.
Comparing Cane’s to Other Chicken Chains
How does Raising Cane’s frying method compare to other popular chicken restaurants?
| Restaurant | Frying Oil | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Raising Cane’s | Soybean/Canola blend | Chicken fingers with signature sauce |
| Chick-fil-A | 100% refined peanut oil | Chicken sandwiches |
| KFC | Vegetable oil blend | Original and extra crispy chicken |
| Popeyes | Palm/soy/canola blend | Spicy Louisiana-style chicken |
Each restaurant has its own approach to creating distinctive fried chicken flavors.
Can You Recreate Cane’s Chicken at Home?
I’ve tried making Cane’s-style chicken fingers at home many times, and while I can’t perfectly match their secret recipe, here’s what I’ve found works best:
Homemade Cane’s-Style Chicken Ingredients:
- Boneless chicken tenderloins
- Buttermilk for marinating (overnight works best!)
- A touch of hot sauce in the marinade (doesn’t make it spicy, just flavorful)
- Seasoned flour (with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder)
- Soybean oil or a soybean/canola blend for frying
The key is to marinate the chicken overnight in buttermilk – this tenderizes the meat and creates that juicy interior that Cane’s is known for.
Why Cane’s Chicken Is So Addictively Good
There’s science behind why we crave Cane’s chicken fingers so much:
- The Texture Contrast: Crispy exterior with juicy, tender interior creates a satisfying mouthfeel
- Umami Flavors: Their seasoning likely enhances the natural umami in chicken
- Perfect Oil Temperature: Maintains the ideal 350°F frying temperature to seal in moisture
- Consistent Quality: Their focus on doing one thing (chicken fingers) extremely well
Plus, let’s not forget their famous Cane’s sauce which perfectly complements the chicken fingers. Though they won’t reveal what’s in it (“Our Raising Cane’s sauce is a secret! We can’t share our recipe.”), it’s part of what makes the overall experience so irresistible.
The One Love Philosophy
Raising Cane’s has built their entire brand around chicken fingers – they call it their “One Love.” According to their website:
“At Raising Cane’s, we only serve the highest quality Chicken Finger Meals. It’s our One Love – this means you will get premium selection, always fresh, never ever frozen chicken fingers. Our crew makes it happen, our culture makes it unique and the community makes it all worthwhile.”
This laser focus on a single product has allowed them to perfect their frying technique over the years.
Interesting Facts About Raising Cane’s
- Founded in 1996 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, near the LSU campus
- Named after the founder’s yellow Labrador retriever, Raising Cane
- Expanded to over 600 locations across the United States
- Their menu remains simple with focus solely on chicken finger meals
- They charge extra for additional sauce (but many fans think it’s worth it!)
The Bottom Line
So what does Canes fry their chicken in? Officially, they use a combination of soybean and canola oils, combined with a secret seasoned flour batter. This creates the signature crunch and flavor that has made Raising Cane’s chicken fingers beloved by fans across the country.
While we may never know all the secrets behind their process, one thing’s for sure – whatever they’re doing with their oil blend and seasoning works amazingly well! Next time you bite into those crispy, juicy tenders, you’ll know a little more about what makes them so special.
I’ve been a Cane’s fan for years, and knowing their oil blend hasn’t changed my love for their chicken one bit. If anything, learning about their commitment to quality ingredients makes me appreciate them even more!
Is There Any Safe Harbor?
Unfortunately, the outlook is bleak. Even items that one might assume are safe, such as bread, are not exempt from the inclusion of seed oils, specifically soybean oil, as suggested by the allergen list. Tread carefully around quite literally, everything. Whether its the mainstay chicken fingers, the crinkle-cut fries, or even the deceptively simple Texas toast, seed oils lurk everywhere. The coleslaw, the Canes sauce – itâs hard to find refuge from seed oils at this establishment.
Oils at Raising Cane’s
At Raising Canes, a couple of popular seed oils feature prominently across the menu:
- Soybean Oil: This oil is a frequent component in many of their dishes.
- Canola Oil: Yet another common cooking oil found in their offerings.
Regrettably, for those keen to avoid seed oils, Raising Canes might prove to be a challenging dining destination.
The Little-Known Truth Behind Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers
FAQ
Does Raising Cane’s have fried chicken fingers?
Raising Cane’s Fried Chicken Fingers, commonly called “chicken fingers” or “chicken tenders,” are a popular menu item at Raising Cane’s, a fast-food restaurant chain. They are known for their simple yet delicious preparation and are often served with a side of Raising Cane’s signature dipping sauce, Cane’s Sauce. How Long Will It Take To Prepare?
What ingredients are needed for Raising Cane’s chicken fingers?
Here are the ingredients needed for Raising Cane’s chicken fingers: Cornstarch: This powder is crucial for getting a crispy exterior. Vegetable oil: This an affordable all-purpose oil for deep frying. Canola oil is another excellent option.
Do chicken fingers equal cane’s?
When they want fingers and not a wing or a sandwich, Graves added, “the way we’re positioned, people know, chicken fingers equals Cane’s. Cane’s, Cane’s, Cane’s!” You can find your nearest Raising Cane’s through their restaurant locator and keep up with promotions and menu items by following them on Facebook.
Does Raising Cane’s have chicken?
Raising Cane’s has everything you need, whether you’re hosting a graduation party, tailgating, or you simply need some food in the office to get you through the afternoon meetings! Raising Cane’s is the place to go when you need a lot of chicken. Cane’s sauces are served alongside their tenders, allowing you to dip to your heart’s delight.
Are chicken fingers dipped in cane’s sauce?
The chicken fingers are seasoned specifically to be dipped into Cane’s Sauce, which adds a creamy, spicy, and tangy bite. Is Raising Cane’s the same as Chick Fil A?
What makes Raising Cane chicken fingers different?
According to Raising Cane’s co-founder Todd Graves, the answer to all of these questions is one word: “craveability.” In an exclusive interview with Mashed, Graves shared what sets his brand’s chicken fingers apart from the competition. “Our chicken fingers are the highest quality. It’s breast tenderloins — it’s not cut strips,” Graves explained.
How do cane’s fry their chicken?
Raising Cane’s fries its chicken after a buttermilk marinade and a flour/cornstarch dredge to achieve its signature crispy, flaky, and golden crust. The chicken is deep-fried in a blend of soybean and canola oil at around 350°F (175°C) until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The chicken is cooked to order, avoiding heat lamps, and then placed on a wire rack to drain excess oil, ensuring it’s served hot and fresh.
What are canes chicken tenders fried in?
Yes. They are fried in peanut oil. They are whole chicken, not processed and and maceration chicken parts as McDonald’s chicken nuggets.
What does Chick-fil-A fry their chicken in?
Does Canes use a separate fryer for fries?