Is There a Difference Between Chicken Nuggets and Chicken Tenders? (2024)

FAQs

Is There a Difference Between Chicken Nuggets and Chicken Tenders? ›

Not all breaded and fried chicken pieces are the same: classic chicken tenders should be made from the chicken breast's tender (more on that below), while nuggets are primarily made from the ground and processed chicken meat including breast and thigh meat that is then formed into nuggets, dinos, and even rings.

So, what is the difference? Classic chicken tenders should be created from the chicken breast's tender, but nuggets are generally manufactured from the ground and processed chicken meat, including breast and thigh meat, which is then molded into different shapes.

They're different because, like, the greasiness, the texture of the strips are a little bit crispier. The batter on the nuggets are a little bit thinner. They tend to be a little bit greasier.

In summary, the difference between chicken fingers and chicken tenders lies in the cut of the chicken and the way they are prepared. Chicken fingers are made from the inner fillet of the chicken breast, while chicken tenders come from the pectoralis minor muscles located beneath the breast.

The difference between Chick-fil-A's nuggets and strips is the marinade. After Reddit user u/SizzlingSloth asked if Chick-fil-A's strips and nuggets have different marinades, La_Casa_Nueva, who claimed to be a Chick-fil-A manager, explained that the company does indeed use different marinades for its strips and nuggets ...

Tenders are made from the pectoralis minor, or tenderloin, of the bird. In contrast, tenders — which were popularized at a New Hampshire diner in the 1970s — come from a specific part of a chicken: the pectoralis minor muscle, aka the tenderloin.

Some people think that chicken tenders are just strips cut from the breast of the chicken. But in fact, the tender or tenderloin is an independent secondary muscle that lies directly under the breast. Sometimes, the whole breast is removed, which includes the tender; sometimes they are removed separately.

Chicken Selects were terminated in 2013. The product briefly returned in 2015 as a limited-time promotion. In August 2017, a similar chicken tender product named "Buttermilk Crispy Tenders" was added to the menu. However, they were discontinued in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“To maintain supply of the high-quality chicken you expect from us, Chick-fil-A will shift from No Antibiotics Ever to No Antibiotics Important to Human Medicine starting in the Spring of 2024,” the company said in a statement.

The formed chicken nugget is breaded three times — first in a light batter, then in a breading with celery and white pepper, and finally in a thick tempura batter that contains leavening agents to aerate the batter. This gives the McNugget the crispy, yet airy texture and lightly spiced flavor.

What do Americans call chicken tenders? ›

Chicken fingers (also known as chicken goujons, tendies, chicken strips, chicken tenders, or chicken fillets) are chicken meat prepared from the pectoralis minor muscles of the animal. These strips of white meat are located on either side of the breastbone, under the breast meat (pectoralis major).

Despite being fried, chicken tender retains many essential nutrients. Protein helps increase muscle mass and strength, while carbohydrates provide energy. The healthy fats in chicken tenders fuel this energy supply, even when it's fried.

No one knows for sure. Although they're meant to be eaten easily with your fingers, the name probably comes from the fact that they're shaped a bit like fingers — human fingers, that is!

Not all breaded and fried chicken pieces are the same: classic chicken tenders should be made from the chicken breast's tender (more on that below), while nuggets are primarily made from the ground and processed chicken meat including breast and thigh meat that is then formed into nuggets, dinos, and even rings.

Chick-fil-A^® Nuggets

Bite-sized pieces of boneless chicken breast, seasoned to perfection, freshly breaded and pressure cooked in 100% refined peanut oil. Available with choice of dipping sauce. Click below to find your nearest restaurant to see full menu availability and product ingredients.

Additionally, Chick-fil-A uses real, whole chicken breasts that are not separated or ground—unlike some other fast-food restaurants whose chicken products are made from multiple sections of the chicken ground together. Each piece of chicken is hand cut before being marinated and breaded.

We only use chicken breast meat across our entire chicken range.

Chicken fingers (also known as chicken goujons, tendies, chicken strips, chicken tenders, or chicken fillets) are chicken meat prepared from the pectoralis minor muscles of the animal.

The whole or half of the breast deboned. Also known as chicken fingers, chicken goujons, chicken strips or chicken fillets, tenders are chicken meat prepared from the pectoralis minor muscles. These strips of white meat are located on either side of the breastbone, under the breast meat (pectoralis major).