Cane's Chicken Finger Combo features tender, juicy chicken fingers hand-battered and fried to golden perfection, served with crispy crinkle-cut fries, a toasted Texas-style bun, and Cane's signature tangy dipping sauce for a satisfying, flavorful meal.
Equipments
- Deep fryer
- Fry baskets
- Tongs
- Mixing bowls
- Breading trays
- Sheet pans
- Meat thermometer
- Knife
- Cutting board
- French fry cutter
- Potato peeler
- Toaster or griddle
- Sauce cups
- Serving trays/plates
Ingredients
- Chicken Fingers:
- 2 lbs (900g) boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Crinkle-Cut Fries:
- 4 large russet potatoes
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Salt
- Texas-Style Bun:
- 4 hamburger buns
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Cane's Sauce:
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Optional (for serving):
- Fresh parsley (garnish)
Use fresh, quality chicken tenderloins to ensure your Chicken Finger Combo is juicy and tender, soaking them in buttermilk to enhance flavor and tenderness. Measuring spices like paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper accurately will help you replicate Cane's signature seasoning. Make sure to preheat your deep fryer to the proper temperature, around 350degF (175degC), for crispy chicken fingers and golden crinkle-cut fries. Toasting the Texas-style buns with butter provides a rich, buttery flavor that complements the crispy chicken and tangy Cane's sauce perfectly. Your homemade Cane's Chicken Finger Combo will deliver the same satisfying, flavorful experience as the original from the restaurant.
Instructions
- Prepare Cane's Sauce:
- Combine mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, black pepper, and paprika in a mixing bowl.
- Mix well.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Marinate Chicken:
- Place chicken tenderloins in a mixing bowl.
- Pour buttermilk over chicken.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Prepare Chicken Breading:
- In a breading tray or mixing bowl, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Mix thoroughly.
- Bread Chicken:
- Remove chicken from buttermilk.
- Dredge each tenderloin in seasoned flour mixture.
- Shake off excess and place on sheet pan.
- Prepare Fries:
- Peel potatoes with potato peeler.
- Cut potatoes with french fry cutter into crinkle-cut shape.
- Rinse and pat dry potatoes.
- Preheat Oils:
- Preheat deep fryer oil to 350°F (175°C) for both chicken and fries.
- Fry Chicken:
- Place breaded chicken fingers in fryer basket.
- Fry in batches for 5–7 minutes or until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Transfer to sheet pan lined with paper towels.
- Fry Fries:
- Add fries to fryer basket.
- Fry in batches for 3–5 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Remove and drain, then season immediately with salt.
- Toast Buns:
- Spread butter on inside of each bun.
- Toast on griddle or in toaster until golden brown.
- Plate and Serve:
- Arrange chicken fingers, fries, and toasted bun on serving tray/plate.
- Add Cane's sauce in sauce cup.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Substitution
The Chicken Finger Combo from Cane's copycat menu delivers crispy, hand-battered chicken fingers paired with golden crinkle-cut fries, a toasted Texas-style bun, and a flavorful, tangy signature sauce. If boneless chicken tenderloins are unavailable, chicken breasts cut into strips can be used as a substitute, ensuring similar texture and cooking time. In case a deep fryer is not accessible, frying the chicken and fries in a heavy skillet with enough oil to submerge the pieces works effectively. When buttermilk is not on hand, a mixture of milk and a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar can replace it to tenderize the chicken properly. Your meal will stay crisp and fresh by draining excess oil on paper towels right after frying each component.
Tips
Make sure to maintain the deep fryer oil at a consistent 350degF (175degC) to ensure your chicken fingers cook evenly and reach a safe internal temperature of 165degF (74degC). Don't skip patting dry the cut fries before frying, as excess moisture can cause oil splatter and prevent crispiness. When breading the chicken, shake off the excess flour mixture to avoid clumps that can lead to uneven frying. Your toasted Texas-style bun should be buttered and toasted just before serving to keep it warm and prevent sogginess from the chicken or sauce.
Nutritions
Cane's Chicken Finger Combo provides a good source of protein from 2 pounds of boneless chicken tenderloins, essential for muscle repair and growth. The crinkle-cut fries, made from 4 large russet potatoes, contribute carbohydrates and potassium, but frying adds additional calories and fat from the vegetable oil used. The Texas-style bun adds extra carbohydrates and fats, especially when toasted with unsalted butter, while Cane's signature sauce combines mayonnaise and ketchup, contributing fats and sugars. You can manage your meal's nutritional balance by moderating portion size and complementing it with fresh vegetables or a light salad.
Storage
To store your Cane's Chicken Finger Combo, place the chicken fingers and crinkle-cut fries in airtight containers and refrigerate within two hours of cooking to maintain freshness. Keep the toasted Texas-style buns wrapped separately in foil or a resealable bag at room temperature to avoid sogginess. Store Cane's signature dipping sauce in a sealed container in the refrigerator and consume within three days for optimal flavor and safety.
Variation or Alternatives
You can switch boneless chicken tenderloins with chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful fingers. Consider baking the chicken fingers at 400degF for 20 minutes as a healthier alternative to deep frying while maintaining crispiness by lightly spraying oil. Swap russet potatoes for sweet potatoes to add natural sweetness and extra nutrients to the fries. For a smoky twist, incorporate smoked paprika into Cane's sauce and the breading mix to enhance the taste profile.
Allergies
Your Cane's Chicken Finger Combo contains potential allergens including wheat in the all-purpose flour and hamburger buns, which may affect those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease. The buttermilk and mayonnaise in the sauce include dairy and egg ingredients that can cause reactions for individuals with milk or egg allergies. Cross-contamination risk during frying with vegetable oil should also be considered if you have severe food allergies.
Why this recipe?
Cane's Chicken Finger Combo is beloved for its perfectly crispy, tender chicken fingers paired with a unique, flavorful Cane's dipping sauce that sets it apart from competitors. The combo also includes crispy golden fries and Texas toast, offering a satisfying mix of textures and tastes in every bite. You'll find that creating a copycat version at home allows you to customize the seasoning and cooking method while enjoying the delicious experience at a fraction of the cost. Replicating this menu gives food lovers a chance to savor Cane's iconic flavors anytime, making it a worthwhile culinary project.