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If you love chicken tenders, cheesy fries, and a little heat, this one’s for you.

These Spicy Loaded Chicken Fries are crispy, cheesy, saucy, and totally over the top in the best way.

We’re talking crunchy buttermilk-fried chicken, melty cheese sauce, homemade ranch, and a spicy dry rub that takes things to the next level.

📌 Pin this for your next game night or weekend hangout!

Jump to Recipe

This is definitely not your everyday dinner.

This is more of a “let’s make something crazy and good and eat it on the couch in sweats” kind of recipe.

It’s a little messy, super satisfying, and one of those meals everyone will ask you to make again.

What You’ll Need

For the Chicken Marinade:

2 lbs chicken tenders
2 cups buttermilk
¼ cup buffalo sauce
1 egg
1 tbsp cayenne, paprika, onion powder, and pepper (each)

For Breading + Frying:

2 cups flour
Oil for frying

Fries:

1 bag frozen crinkle cut fries (or homemade if you’re feeling ambitious)

Cheese Sauce:

4 oz Monterey Jack
4 oz sharp cheddar
1 cup whole milk
1 tbsp butter
Salt & pepper to taste

Spicy Dry Rub:

4 tbsp cayenne
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
2 tbsp dark brown sugar

Cane’s Style Sauce:

½ cup mayo
¼ cup ketchup
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp salt

Homemade Ranch:

½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup buttermilk
1 tsp dried dill
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp parsley
¼ tsp pepper
¼ tsp salt

How to Make It:

1. Marinate the chicken.
Whisk together buttermilk, buffalo sauce, egg, and spices. Add chicken and let it marinate for at least 2 hours—or overnight if you can.

2. Bread and fry the chicken.
Dredge the marinated chicken in flour, pressing to coat well. Heat oil to 350°F and fry until golden and crispy (about 5–6 minutes depending on thickness). Let drain on paper towels.

3. Cook your fries.
Bake or fry your crinkle fries according to the package. I like mine extra crispy for this!

4. Make the cheese sauce.
In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add milk, then slowly stir in cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper.

5. Mix your sauces.
Whisk together ingredients for the Cane’s sauce and ranch. Pop them in the fridge while everything cooks.

6. Season the chicken.
Toss the fried chicken in the spicy dry rub while it’s still hot.

7. Assemble!
Layer fries on a big platter. Add chopped spicy chicken on top. Drizzle with cheese sauce, ranch, and Cane’s sauce. Add extra dry rub if you’re feeling bold.

Serve and Enjoy

Grab a fork (or just use your hands) and dig in. These are best eaten right away while everything’s hot and saucy. Perfect for sharing—but you might not want to.