Where to Buy Chicken Tenders: The Ultimate Guide for Tender Lovers

Are you craving those juicy, crispy chicken tenders but don’t know where to find the best ones? Well, you’re not alone! As a chicken tender enthusiast myself, I’ve spent countless hours hunting down the tastiest tenders across different stores. Today, I’m gonna share all my secrets about where to buy chicken tenders that’ll satisfy your cravings without breaking the bank.

Why Chicken Tenders Are So Popular

Before diving into where to buy them, let’s talk about why chicken tenders are so darn popular. These versatile strips of chicken breast meat are perfect for quick meals, kid’s lunches, party appetizers, or late-night snacks. They’re usually more tender than other chicken parts (hence the name!), and they cook quickly whether you’re frying, baking, or air-frying them.

Major Retailers That Sell Chicken Tenders

Walmart

Walmart is definitely one of the most accessible places to buy chicken tenders, with both fresh and frozen options. Their selection is pretty impressive, with prices that won’t make your wallet cry

Popular options at Walmart include:

• Fresh Options

  • Freshness Guaranteed Chicken Breast Tenderloins ($10.38 for 2.0-3.0 lb tray)
  • Perdue Fresh Chicken Breast Tenderloins ($5.66 for 0.8-1.7 lb tray)
  • Perdue Harvestland Free Range Fresh Chicken Breast Tenderloin Pieces ($6.53 for 0.8-1.7 lb tray)

• Frozen Breaded Options:

  • Great Value Famous Fingers Breaded Chicken Tenders ($12.93 for 3 lbs)
  • Perdue Frozen Breaded Chicken Breast Tenders ($6.98 for 29 oz)
  • Tyson Southern Style Chicken Breast Tenderloins ($8.47 for 25 oz)

One thing I love about Walmart is their Great Value brand tenders – they’re surprisingly good for a store brand and usually cheaper than the name brands. Plus, most of these options are SNAP EBT eligible, which is great for families on a budget.

Kroger

Kroger is another fantastic option for chicken tender shopping. They carry a wide variety of both fresh and frozen options, including organic and gluten-free choices.

Some standout options at Kroger:

• Fresh Options:

  • Heritage Farm Boneless Skinless Chicken Tenderloins (about $6.60 each at $4.49/lb)
  • Simple Truth Natural Boneless & Skinless Fresh Chicken Breast Tenders (about $6.10 each at $6.49/lb)
  • Perdue Fresh Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Tenderloins (about $7.69 each at $6.99/lb)
  • Simple Truth Organic Boneless Skinless Fresh Organic Chicken Breast Tenders (about $13.99 each at $9.99/lb)

• Frozen Breaded Options:

  • Kroger Breaded Chicken Tenders ($9.99 for 48 oz)
  • Kroger Fully Cooked Frozen Crispy Chicken Strips ($7.99 for 25 ounces)
  • Perdue Frozen Fully Cooked Breaded Chicken Breast Tenders ($7.99 for 29 oz)
  • Just Bare Fully Cooked Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Strips ($10.99 for 1.5 lb)

I’ve personally tried Kroger’s store brand tenders, and they’re pretty good! Their Simple Truth organic options are a bit pricier but great quality for when you want something a little healthier.

Perdue Farms Online Store

If you’re looking for premium chicken tenders directly from the source, Perdue Farms has their own online store where you can buy their products. They specialize in high-quality chicken products including several varieties of tenders.

Notable options from Perdue’s online store:

• Crispy Chicken Breast Strips (1.6-lb. bag for $15.99)
• Perdue Breaded Chicken Breast Tenders Gluten Free (22-oz. bag for $11.99)
• Organic Breaded Chicken Breast Tenders (1.37-lb. bag for $16.99)
• Perdue Organic Gluten-Free Chicken Sampler (Over 10 lbs of organic chicken breast nuggets and tenders for $119.99)

The cool thing about ordering directly from Perdue is that they sometimes offer bundles and sampler packs that you can’t find in stores. They also have a “FREE 2-Day SHIPPING FOR ORDERS OVER $300” policy, which is great if you’re stocking up. However, for smaller orders, the shipping costs might make it less economical than buying from your local grocery store.

Fresh vs. Frozen Chicken Tenders

When shopping for chicken tenders, you’ll need to decide between fresh and frozen options. Here’s my take on both:

Fresh Chicken Tenders

Pros:

• Better texture and flavor
• No need to defrost
• Can be seasoned exactly how you like
• More versatile for different recipes

Cons:

• Shorter shelf life (typically 1-2 days)
• Usually more expensive per pound
• Requires more prep work

Frozen Chicken Tenders

Pros:

• Longer shelf life
• Often pre-breaded and ready to cook
• Usually cheaper per pound
• Great for quick meals
• Less food waste since they don’t spoil quickly

Cons:

• Not as tender when cooked
• Pre-breaded options may contain additives
• Takes time to defrost if cooking from fresh

Specialty Options for Dietary Needs

Many of us have dietary restrictions or preferences, and thankfully, there are chicken tender options for almost everyone:

Gluten-Free Options

• Perdue Simply Smart Organics Gluten-Free Frozen Breaded Chicken Breast Tenders ($11.79 for 22 oz at Kroger)
• Perdue Breaded Chicken Breast Tenders Gluten Free ($11.99 for 22 oz at Perdue Farms)
• Realgood Foods Co. Lightly Breaded Chicken Strips ($7.86 for 20 oz at Walmart)
• Applegate Natural Gluten-Free Breaded Chicken Breast Tenders ($11.72 for 16 oz at Walmart)

Organic Options

• Simple Truth Organic Boneless Skinless Fresh Organic Chicken Breast Tenders ($13.99 at Kroger)
• Perdue Harvestland Organic Fresh Chicken Breast Tenderloins ($8.87 for 0.8-2 lb at Walmart)
• Organic Breaded Chicken Breast Tenders ($16.99 for 1.37 lb at Perdue Farms)

Fully Cooked Options (Great for Quick Meals)

• Just Bare Fully Cooked Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast Strips ($10.86 for 1.5 lb at Walmart)
• Tyson Crispy Chicken Breast Strips ($7.62 for 25 oz at Walmart)
• Kroger Fully Cooked Frozen Crispy Chicken Strips ($7.99 for 25 oz at Kroger)

Price Comparison Table

Let’s compare some of the most popular chicken tender options based on price per pound:

Beyond Grocery Stores: Other Places to Buy Chicken Tenders

While grocery stores are the most common places to buy chicken tenders, there are other options worth considering:

Local Butcher Shops

Your neighborhood butcher often has fresher, higher-quality chicken tenders than what you’d find at chain stores. They might be a bit pricier, but the quality difference is usually noticeable. Plus, you’re supporting a local business!

Farmers Markets

Many farmers markets have vendors selling farm-fresh chicken products, including tenders. These are typically from free-range or organically raised chickens, resulting in better flavor and texture.

Restaurant Supply Stores

Some restaurant supply stores are open to the public and sell chicken tenders in bulk. This can be a great option if you’re feeding a crowd or want to stock up your freezer.

Meal Delivery Services

Services like HelloFresh, Blue Apron, and others sometimes include chicken tender recipes in their meal kits, which can be a convenient way to get pre-portioned fresh tenders along with everything else you need for a complete meal.

Tips for Buying the Best Chicken Tenders

After years of trial and error, I’ve figured out a few tips for buying the best chicken tenders:

1. Check the color – Fresh chicken tenders should be pink, not gray or yellow.

2. Look at the packaging date – Always buy the freshest available.

3. Inspect for woodiness – Some chicken tenders have a woody texture due to a muscle condition. Avoid tenders that look too thick or have white striations.

4. Consider your cooking method – If you’re planning to bread and fry them yourself, fresh is best. If you want convenience, pre-breaded frozen options are great.

5. Read ingredient lists – Some breaded tenders contain a lot of additives and preservatives. If that concerns you, look for options with simpler ingredient lists.

6. Buy in bulk when on sale – Chicken tenders freeze well, so stock up when you see a good sale!

How to Store Chicken Tenders

To make the most of your chicken tender purchase:

• Fresh tenders should be used within 1-2 days or frozen immediately.
• To freeze fresh tenders, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. This prevents them from sticking together.
• Frozen breaded tenders should be kept in their original packaging until ready to use.
• Always thaw frozen raw tenders in the refrigerator, never at room temperature.

Final Thoughts

Finding the perfect chicken tenders really depends on your personal preferences, budget, and how you plan to prepare them. Walmart and Kroger offer great variety at reasonable prices, while Perdue Farms provides premium options if you’re willing to pay a bit more.

My personal recommendation? Try a few different brands and types to see what works best for you! I usually keep some frozen breaded tenders on hand for quick meals (the Just Bare ones from Walmart are amazingly close to Chick-fil-A!), but I also buy fresh tenderloins to make my own custom-seasoned tenders when I have more time.

What about you? Do you have a favorite brand of chicken tenders or a secret place to buy them? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

Happy tender hunting!

Yes, there is a difference: chicken tenders are a specific, smaller muscle (pectoralis minor) located under the chicken breast, while chicken strips are a broader term for any long, thin piece of chicken, which could be from the breast, thigh, or even multiple parts. Therefore, all tenders are technically strips, but not all strips are tenders; the term “strip” is more versatile and can be a whole-muscle product or a formed product made from different chicken parts.

Yes, chicken tenderloins and chicken tenders are essentially the same thing: the thin, white muscle located under the breast of a chicken. While the term “tenderloin” refers to this specific muscle, “chicken tender” is a more general term that can also describe other cuts of chicken breast sliced into strips. However, in practice, especially in stores and restaurants, “chicken tenders” are often made from the actual tenderloin, so the terms are frequently used interchangeably.

The price of 1 lb of chicken tenders varies, but typically ranges from $3.50 to $12.00 or more, depending on the retailer, brand, and whether they are raw or pre-cooked.