4 Levels of Chicken Tenders: Amateur to Food Scientist | Epicurious

We challenged chefs of three different skill levels - amateur Onika, home cook Emily, and professional chef Joshua Resnick from the Institute of Culinary Education - to make us their take on chicken tenders. Once each level of chef had presented their creations, we asked expert food scientist Rose to explain the choices each made along the way. Which chicken tenders would you choose as your next dipping companion?
Check out the level 3 recipe on the ICE blog here: www.ice.edu/blog/bbq-spiced-f...
Director: Lisa Paradise
Director of Photography: Jeremy Harris
Editor: Manolo Moreno
Talent: L1: Onika McLean; L2: Emily Ducan; L3: ICE Chef Joshua
Director of Culinary Production: Kelly Janke
Producer: Tyre Nobles
Culinary Producer: Mallary Santucci
Culinary Associate Producer: Leslie Raney
Line Producer: Jen McGinity
Associate Producer: Sahara Pagan
Production Manager: Janine Dispensa
Production Coordinator: Elizabeth Hymes
Assistant Camera: Lucas Young
Sound Mixer: Brett van Deusen
Production Assistant: Justine Ramirez
Culinary Assistant: Jami Samuelson-Kopek
Researcher: Vivian Jao
Post Production Supervisor: Andrea Farr
Post Production Coordinator: Scout Alter
Supervising Editor: Eduardo Araújo
Assistant Editor: Billy Ward
Start your free trial and access over 50,000 expertly-tested recipes from Epicurious, Bon Appétit and more on the Epicurious app. apps.apple.com/app/apple-stor...
Still haven’t subscribed to Epicurious on KZbin? ►► bit.ly/epiyoutubesub
ABOUT EPICURIOUS
Browse thousands of recipes and videos from Bon Appétit, Gourmet, and more. Find inventive cooking ideas, ingredients, and restaurant menus from the world’s largest food archive.

[@hectorpct3071]

The way lvl 1 Emily would’ve used plain Ketchup as dipping sauce and now she’s doing her own ranch dressing, I’m so proud of her

[@adrianmalcek7371]

My thought exactly... She improved so much!

[@devinrose7918]

Only the day ones remember level one Emily eating French toast and ketchup

[@shaydaslays]

I said this too! Haven't watched this show in like a year and remembered her 😂

[@Netflixthoughts]

Our Emily has improved so much 👏🏽👏🏽

[@darthnoir6370]

tbh ketchup on tendies is perfect

[@terrybradford3727]

I enjoy these looks at different ways to make the same dish. Emily being lvl 2 shows how everyone can improve.

[@TwoToneSoldier]

Watching her growth has been one of my favorite parts of this channel by far.

[@fffjake]

It's like watching a child grow up before our eyes.

[@clcphoto]

Emily was always level 2. She just didn't know it.

[@winscho2014]

Emilly will always be level 1 if she adds the ketchup to every dish

[@mrsadness9179]

Level 3 chef ate original level 2 chef. That’s why Emily had to step up

[@bekahkurz]

We need a React video of Emily watching some of her first Level 1 videos. I get so excited everytime I see her in the Level 2 spot and I'd love to hear her thoughts on her cooking journey.

[@undeadcommander86]

Especially ketchup gate

[@EmilyDuncan]

You know, I might just do this at some point lol

[@user-xg3tp9rw4j]

THIS!

[@travisnell6849]

@@EmilyDuncan I absolutely would love this. You can make so much content out of it!

[@dantethunderstone2118]

I’m pretty sure she has a KZbin channel, maybe she’s made a video like that on her channel

[@krazykitten800]

I wish we could see everyone try everyone else’s food

[@BakaSurvivor2102again-qr7io]

i haven't seen any of these videos before and i was half expecting that to happen. that would add an entire new dimension to the whole thing.

[@OZtheRedDevil]

definitely needs a critiquer who actually tries the food instead of just this scientist person at the end

[@HayTatsuko]

Rosemary Trout, who has possibly the most perfect name one could have for such a job as hers. She's also a professor at Drexel University! @@OZtheRedDevil

[@joleybaker3430]

@@OZtheRedDevilill do it!

[@duanewente457]

Need a random person off the street that isn't a chef, a small food vendor or something, and then a professional chef to come in and do the taste tests. Would eliminate any favoritism 🤷‍♂

[@YkronRobe]

I’m so glad to see Emily as a Level 2! This is my first time seeing her as a Level 2 and it put a smile on my face :D

[@ahsaiiara]

She's been level 2 for some time now

[@YkronRobe]

@@ahsaiiara TBH I haven't checked out these three levels videos for a while

[@stevenalexander4721]

Same here.

[@brianstraight9308]

Same here, I've apparently missed these. She's Level 2, that's great!

[@lawd1804]

M😂e too

[@DatRandomGuy.]

The way my jaw dropped when I saw Emily being lvl 2. So proud of you girl.

[@Joxxerfoxy]

Chef Joshua has such a confident and authoritative voice that he could tell me that 2+2=5 and I’d say “Okay.” 😳

[@zhiracs]

"Yes chef, thank you for your insight chef"

[@RebuttalRecords]

And that's exactly why you need to question authoritah.

[@droach3151]

When he was my chef instructor when I studied at ICE he was easily my favorite instructor, but he can be a scary mf if you push him.

[@Potent_Techmology]

using coca cola is embarrassingly bad @@droach3151

[@zporkz]

I'm not used to Emily being a level 2 chef, but happy she's there.

[@EmilyDuncan]

same tbh

[@Vanessinha91Pucca]

Me neither, in fact i kind of liked her as level 1.. less arrogant.

[@SilverReviews]

@@Vanessinha91Pucca she wasn't arrogant in this video, just more calm and less chaotic..

[@citriosis]

​@@Vanessinha91Puccame when i mistake confidence and a lack of self-deprecation for arrogance... 😭

[@Vanessinha91Pucca]

@@citriosis Ever since she started classes with frank she did became more confident but she also became more arrogant.

[@Lynn17]

I remember when Emily made panko-crusted, slightly burned chicken tenders for the Fried Chicken video. I saw this one and was hoping she'd be in it so we could see her new and improved tenders! (I like that she uses thighs so much lately, much as I love the white meat, thighs are juicy and flavorful and less prone to dryout.) When Onika said cereal I expected corn flakes. Capn' Crunch is very innovative!

[@tykow]

I feel like you missed an opportunity to have Rose explain exactly why washing your chicken is unsanitary

[@spicebae2023]

This needs to be the number 1 comment! I don't think they should show segments where people ignore food safe practices!

[@throwawaysupreme9400]

How is what she did any more unsanitary than the marinade the others had? Most of the bacteria sits on the skin that Emily was keeping on.

[@diabeticidiot]

@@throwawaysupreme9400 The thing is, the skin is getting cooked, the cooking ware is not EDIT: I did not realize I didn't tag the OP of this thread and did reply to someone else.

[@Freedomdawg]

What she did wasn't more unsanitary. But "washing" chicken, is. And, to promote that what she did "cleans" the chicken, is ignorant.@@throwawaysupreme9400

[@AcaciaBieberLove]

@@throwawaysupreme9400there’s no need to wash your chicken, the bacteria gets cooked off, if washing chicken made it sanitary you could just eat it raw

[@hannasetiawan160]

I can feel the producers were sweating when they saw Onika washed her chicken in a bowl

[@oooooppai]

Not recommended to wash but the fact she did it in a bowl is actually pretty smart instead of in your sink

[@iokua1120]

@@oooooppaidon’t justify not understanding science

[@RebuttalRecords]

I wash my chicken in a bowl of very cold water, I fail to see a problem.

[@romankarol5370]

@@RebuttalRecords the problem is it doesn't do anything

[@fairy6818]

@@romankarol5370 yes it does. it helps spreads the salmonella bacteria throughout the kitchen. Bon apple salmonella!

[@brieflynoted1]

I was genuinely shocked when I saw Emily's chicken tenders. Honestly, they look the most appetizing out of any of the dishes served!

[@5skdm]

Were you really chicken tenders? (this comment is now irrelevant)

[@whatjake7898]

She used too much pickle stuff. I would rather eat those gross cereal ones than pickle chicken tenders.

[@cocoxcocoa]

Yeah the level 3 chefs tenders had a lot of the breading fall off and had big bare spots. Which is funny because he was saying not to use tongs to avoid that very thing.

[@thedarkemissary]

@@whatjake7898 Just so we're clear, pickle chicken = Chick-fil-A

[@victorcash158]

@@thedarkemissary Nah just googled it and its false. She needs to go back to level 1 with those pickle tenders

[@zekebones34]

Thank you for the disclaimer saying not to wash your chicken. You’re going to cook it, it doesn’t need to be washed people

[@BraxtonHoward]

I've seen this multiple times on the channel. Would be much better if they just stopped airing the cook making the recommendation.

[@tauraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa]

Exactly. It must be a black people thing

[@yungy1209]

I cannot comprehend what would go through your mind to compel you to wash chicken. WHO looks at chicken and goes "yeah that needs to be washed." Are you stupid?

[@user-ji8ge1wb4k]

@@conqeeftador5559 What?!

[@maromania7]

@@BraxtonHoward likely because it's a cultural thing and they don't want to be called racist.

[@shogum]

It's cool to see Emily becoming level 2 chef. She might be having fun in the kitchen. This channel is inspiring 👍🏼

[@keesleen1818]

I feel like Emily's level 2 chef status came at the cost of her ketchup.

[@2ndBadBat]

Its a high price to pay but Emily letting go of the ketchup is character development :D

[@mojoteq]

May it rest in peace

[@thee.stickman__]

I just love to see Emily’s improvement!!

[@sharonab07]

I know level 2 come on!

[@velipulla3936]

Cringe

[@thee.stickman__]

@@velipulla3936 How…

[@RandomPerson-wz5sv]

I like this series. Would be a great addition in my opinion to have the three chefs try each others at the end.

[@Colombiandawg09]

I was thrown off with the washing the chicken for the entire video. People please dont do this >.< I'm so proud of Emily tho. She has stepped up :)

[@mon6745]

You can't really be Columbian then cuz columbians are clean and wash their meat

[@heylol1220]

Upset at a 3 second clip for the ENTIRE 12 minutes? 🤔

[@Jahliel]

@@heylol1220like get over it

[@bellenesatan]

​@@heylol1220yeah health hazards tend to deter the appetite

[@thelelanatorlol3978]

@@bellenesatan the health hazard of making a vinegar brine to brine chicken.

[@PorterPickUp]

Emily has graduated to LEVEL TWO!!!! What a time to be alive.

[@DeffecX]

Between the lady washing the chicken and using Captain Crunch, and the guy using Coca-Cola. I couldn't keep watching no more.

[@serisothikos]

The brutality of running a disclaimer below someone's recipe. Dang.

[@mon6745]

The person who put that disclaimer in doesn't wash their legs let alone their chicken 😒

[@tulikamati2653]

It actually hurt coz “washing chicken” is almost ritualistic for black people across the diaspora. The fact that she added vinegar was like a brine. I know and understand the science behind ensuring safety when handling chicken but that disclaimer wasn’t it.

[@BABYGRLK100]

Same with half the people in the comments lol

[@AcaciaBieberLove]

@@tulikamati2653I mean i’m sure they have to add a disclaimer, she specifically said “just wash your chicken” which, you should not do.

[@rowanewiets]

@@tulikamati2653 Don't wash your chicken. I don't care if it's culture, it's unhygienic and gets salmonella everywhere.

[@duyo7027]

Omggg it made me so happy to see Emily is now level 2! So proud of her!

[@EsausFables]

Here’s to another year of Level 2 Emily!!

[@BADwolf4032]

Thank you so much for the explanation at the end that is so helpful

[@faaiiisssaal]

Bring back Emily, Lorenzo, Frank at the same time...

[@cocomaluleke3587]

Or Saul

[@KingEvan1000]

How about you four level pairs? Onika and Desi as the level one pair, Emily and Lorenzo as the level two pair, and Frank and Saul as level three.

[@Armymom1984]

My favorites. And Saul!

[@nitric94]

impossible now emily being a level 2 now

[@HayTatsuko]

In case you were wondering what sauce Emily used -- it's Trappey's Red Devil Cayenne Pepper Sauce. It's similar to McIlhenny Co. Tabasco Sauce, but about 4x as salty.

[@danielriley7380]

NEVER wash chicken (or any other meat that matter, cooking will sterilise the meat).

[@matthmattical]

I miss Rose’s more scientific/cooking tip explanations ❤

[@vaniaqyasaty2266]

It's been a while since i watch this series, and now emily is a level 2 chef!! Proud of you emily✨️

[@arpitarora7554]

10 years down the line I'm sure Emily is going to be a Level 3 Chef in these videos😂 (btw I was literally surprised to see her as a Level 2 chef instead of Level 1 for a change🤣, but kudos on the growth though!)

[@ChiliPepperMadness]

Love seeing so many different ways to make the same dish!

[@kristentejera7160]

Love all the chefs, but am particularly pumped that Emily is level 2 now!!!!

[@maz0320]

havent watched in so long and emily is level 2 omg 😭❤️ so happy !!!

[@user-ql2vu8vp5c]

Chef Josh is the only one that actually knows what a tender is. It's not a preparation it is a particular cut of meat.

[@mytoiletsfull]

Love to see Emily level up ❤️ if you say she was bad at the start, you’re wrong, you just didn’t understand her evolving philosophy.

[@mytoiletsfull]

Also I like the idea of cereal in the batter. My mum would use any kind of potato chips we had on hand before they got stale

[@BadPenny3]

One of the few times I'd happily enjoy all three levels of a dish! My mom used to do a chicken dish with crunched up Honey Corn Flakes, I'd be super curious to try it with Cap'n'Crunch.

[@tylervene9393]

Some interesting choices in this video...

[@Rebecca-dm5ul]

Never thought they'd highlight a chicken washer with acrylic nails ungloved.

[@SaltySeaCaptain]

​@@Rebecca-dm5ulAhahaha

[@mayasej]

I haven't seen these episodes in a while but WAIT IS EMILY A LEVEL TWO HOMECHEF NOW? Grats.

[@kendratsou5636]

4:35 when there's no wet hand, dry hand for frying stuff, you know it's the amature cook 🤣

[@swostikasharma9647]

Emily leveling up is the best character development! ❤ I remember her days of level 1 chef. Our ketchup girl cane a long way! ❤

[@basmaabdul4825]

This is my best series here❤

[@VerhoevenSimon]

It's always a treat to see Emily, and she struck a very nice balance with her dish.

[@cocoxcocoa]

"Just wash your chicken" she says as she wraps her raw chicken hands around the vinegar bottle.

[@XSpamDragonX]

b-b-but my ancestors had to wash their chicken because it was already starting to decompose by the time they went to cook it and now I insist on doing it in honour of them or some other braindead argument these ethnologues spew

[@alalalala57]

​@@XSpamDragonXIts ok, your ancestors disowned you anyway.😅

[@thestraydog]

@@XSpamDragonX Looks like someone learned a new word they wanted an excuse to use

[@XSpamDragonX]

@@thestraydog Honestly it's technically not a word, I coined it myself

[@XSpamDragonX]

@@alalalala57 Every time I get one of these purely ad hominem replies with the embarassing emoji at the end I know I've hit a sore spot.

[@TwoTone.exe_]

Am I the only one concerned that Onika was so adamant about washing your chicken, then the small disclaimer popped up saying not to wash your chicken 😅 someone needs to have a lil chat with her 😅

[@gregh4150]

And then that comment that Coca Cola being able to clean a carburetor to a level 3 chef is wild too

[@SaltySeaCaptain]

​@gregh4150 if it was grape soda she would've loved it

[@fivemjs]

This is my first episode in a while and I’m so excited to see that Emily graduated to level two

[@whatweather]

Why did they even show her washing the chx then? Like don’t even put that idea into people’s heads. It’s much more dangerous than not washing it.

[@chrisdsouza3842]

Kenji did a video on this, there is a proper way to wash chicken, its not dangerous if done properly

[@Kubush1]

Whats wrong with people.. dont wash your meat if you have a brain@@chrisdsouza3842

[@whatweather]

@@chrisdsouza3842 there’s absolutely no reason to do it tho

[@yerb.]

@@whatweather you can, its a proper technique to tenderize meat, such as in stir fry like the kenji video. also its only dangerous if you dont clean afterwards

[@Jordares]

EMILY IS A LEVEL 2 NOW? LETS GOOOOO, LOVE THAT GIRL!

[@mjz22]

I've been watching these so long long that Emily is now a level 2 chef! that's awesome to see she's so funny 😂

[@theo_9191]

Please do éclairs ! Or anything with choux pastry. Love your channel !

[@TheLarrystyles]

the level one chef making the most basic dipping sauce and acting like it’s something unknown 😭

[@altoblivion]

“Wash your chicken” (usda says don’t wash chicken)

[@Candela115]

literally it's always the people who don't know much about cooking that say that. Notice the other level chefs know not to wash your chicken.

[@Eric-yt7fp]

Whoa, when did Emily become a level 2 chef? That's awesome, love to see it!

[@Darkness-lj5bh]

Boneless wings. That is when she stated she is level 2.

[@SarahAbramova]

0:53 the fact that they had to add a disclaimer that what she was doing was a bad idea 😂

[@citriosis]

I haven't watched this series in years and watching Emily level up is the best jumpscare I could've ever asked for. You go girl!

[@bluwolf098]

I just got back to watching these videos after a long while of not watching these. Emily is a level 2 chef now?!?!?!

[@shalencooks]

Proud of emily leveling up 🥺🙌🏼 first time to watch epicurious again so im shocked she's laready lvl 2❤

[@blanche.o]

Yay! I’m so proud of Emily, love seeing a girl level up ❤

[@B_addie]

6:49 Onika is so funny 😂😂

[@TheEmoImo]

Future idea: do an lvl 1 v. lvl 2 v. lvl 3 Emily. It’ll be somewhat of a react video but it’ll show her growth too. So basically take one of Emily’s first videos and have her make the same dish as continues to level up.

[@afropoppette]

Love the shade about using Coke with the recipe 🤣 Haven't had a Coke since 2006 when I had a powerful migraine after drinking one.

[@wehcd]

Y'all got me craving chicken tenders when I'm about to sleep...1am over here

[@aarob8934]

YO, EMILY LEVELED UP! Gratz, sorry if that happened a while ago and I missed it lol

[@dandles2010]

I loved the Amateur lady, as well as the others. The amateur looked fantastic.

[@PegR38]

Really enjoying seeing Emily as a Level 2 chef.

[@kayladuplessis5658]

Just watched level one Emily used ketchup with her french toast, I love this for her so much

[@neeluuus]

back here after a long time and Emily is level 2!??? let's gooo!!

[@B_addie]

Using captain crunch is genius

[@AAblade7]

I never thought about using Cap’n Crunch for breading. Now I got to try this next time I make Chicken and Waffles.

[@karldi7648]

I don't smile much, but when I see Emily as a level 2 representative, my heart sings

[@captainlovebug]

Go Emily go! I can't wait till she's a level 3 chef 🥳

[@zhiracs]

Onika's sauce is literally every "special sauce" at a hamburger place

[@ScottReynoldsc]

Lisa Paradise is the GOAT cooking video director

[@itoao]

So funny to see Emily level up. She was so bad at the beginning.

[@TTM1895]

She's taken some classes.

[@JimmyRimmer]

Just proof that it's not about where you started but about where you're at.

[@killerja3]

I was happy when I her say level 2 lol

[@ToxicSpork]

Interestingly enough, this video would have been fine with some ketchup

[@faizfahmi8318]

@@ToxicSporkso true! Nothing emily cant fix without ketchup

[@knndyskful]

I’m so glad to see Emily graduate to level 2 ❤

[@MC-hc4rn]

Lmfao washing her chicken 😂😂😂😂

[@Br3kkie]

I love how Emily still has that excitement calling herself a Level 2 chef

[@DizzyedUpGirl]

I will never stop smiling at Emily being Level 2 now.

[@susandooley9630]

I would probably be a level 1 for this one since I just use flour with salt, onion & garlic powder, maybe some paprika & fry them in a skillet.

[@zeromills0]

So pumped seeing Emily as a level 2 chief! 💪😤💪

[@quintinarnwine5769]

Go Emily! Cant wait to see her at lvl 3! Please bring back anything with the level of ketchup on french toast

[@aaronjanlistanco]

I wanna see a 4 Levels of Chicken-Pork Adobo cook by 3 amazing chefs/cooks

[@misteromnom]

The people who wash chicken are the same ones that think wood cutting boards arent hygenic and be eating plastic shavings on the regular

[@mimistar1427]

Generalising much?

[@FoougieTV]

The people who don't wash their chickens are the same ones who don't wash their hands after using public restrooms.

[@co7513]

People who don't wash their chicken and the same ones who claim bathing daily is dangerous 🤣

[@Are_You_Sure_Bro]

@@FoougieTV Salmonella is not just on the surface of chicken but it's completely inside of it too. That's why you can't eat rare chicken. So washing it does nothing to make it clean. All you do is contaminate other surfaces with the salmonella. The USDA specifically says do not wash chicken. I was certified by the health dpt to be a health and safety expert who trains cooks. If I saw someone washing chicken it would have been a violation according to the state and the federal government and that person would have to be retrained or fired. For this reason there are no American restaurants who wash their chicken.

[@crovax1375]

I'm a level 0 cook and I'm eating microwaved tenders with a side of ketchup while watching!

[@MirkoC407]

Can't decide by the looks of their plates between Emily and Joshua. I'm afraid I have to cook both recipes before deciding on a winner here...

[@loxsannbraham8281]

NOT EMILY MOVING ON UP TO LEVEL 2. We love to see it ❤❤❤

[@ryanspencerlauderdale687]

What are you doing? You don’t wash your chicken. That is completely unsanitary, because the chicken juices and bacteria can spread all over the place and cause food poisoning. That is, in Gordon Ramsay’s terms, the move of an “idiot sandwich.”

[@atari_1]

oh wow, Emily, since when are you a lvl 2 chef? Congratulations!! 🎉 :D

[@DanielaBodoh]

Emily back then: *put ketchup on literally everything* Emily now: *a level 2 chef*

[@SauceBonanza]

When was Emily promoted to Level 2?!? Really pleased to see it, but never thought it would happen. Go girl.

[@weem7]

As a chef...watching people wash their chicken legitimately hurts my soul...please don't do that....I beg you! The paiinnnnn😢

[@gennsui]

Making chicken with cereal is crazy

[@Wilsoncinephile]

I am so happy to see Emily at level 2 chef. Her effort at cooking is so worth it and inspiring.

[@ChockingInThe90s]

Emily's a level 2 now!! This makes me happy!!

[@denibraja7899]

Chicken series always bring my appetite

[@alexcerien2032]

This is one of those times, I'd choose the level 2 dish over the level 3.

[@ExhuastBalla]

It’s not chicken tenders those are chicken thighs

[@brianstraight9308]

I'd pretty much always go with Emily.

[@seanoceallachain]

It's 3 levels. Love the videos. Hate the titles.

[@freakfreak12345]

EMILY IS LEVEL 2 NOW! YOU GO GIRL!

[@nestr2007]

Yay Emily Level 2!!

[@silentj624]

Im still so proud of Emily. ❤

[@SabeDoesThingsChannel]

Should definitely do pot pies next