Recipe: Red Hot Riplets Chicken Tenders

It’s a St. Louis thing, like Provel on pizza and pineapple Vess soda. Not everyone gets it. And that’s OK. Some flavors are just wired into your DNA. Just thinking about Old Vienna Red Hot Riplets and a chocolate malt puts me smack dab into sixth grade again. They're my version of Proust’s madeleine, and I won’t apologize for it. These chips are spicy as heck and just a little sweet. They are a color rarely found in nature, but proudly preservative free. Note that no additional salt or pepper is added to this recipe. The chips and a little honey are all the flavor you need.

Red Hot Riplets Chicken Tenders
4 servings

1½ cups buttermilk
3 Tbsp. honey, plus more for drizzling
14 oz. chicken tenderloins
1 5-oz. bag Old Vienna Red Hot Riplets
½ cup flour

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the buttermilk and honey until the honey is dissolved. Add the chicken tenderloins and soak 2 to 3 hours.

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the chips and flour 5 or 6 times, until a course crumb mixture forms. Pour in a shallow dish.

• Working a few pieces at a time, gently shake the excess buttermilk from the tenders. Dredge in the potato chip mixture until well coated and place on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining tenders.

• Bake 20 to 25 minutes, then drizzle with a little honey and serve.

Dee Ryan is a longtime contributor to Sauce Magazine and regularly pens Make This.