Quick Answer
Yes, there is a tendon in chicken tenders. Chicken tenders are made from the pectoralis minor muscle in the chicken breast. This muscle has a tough tendon running through it which connects the muscle to the bone. When preparing chicken tenders, the tendon needs to be removed otherwise it will be tough and chewy when cooked.
What are Chicken Tenders?
Chicken tenders, also known as chicken strips or chicken fillets, are strips of chicken breast meat that come from the pectoralis minor muscle on the underside of the breast.
The pectoralis minor is one of two muscles that make up the chicken breast, the other being the pectoralis major. The pectoralis minor is the smaller, tenderloin muscle nestled under the larger pectoralis major muscle.
Chicken tenders are longer, narrower strips of meat while chicken nuggets are small, bite-sized chunks or cubes of meat. Both are made from chicken breast meat.
Anatomy of a Chicken Breast
The chicken breast contains two separate muscles – the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor.
Pectoralis Major
The pectoralis major is the large, fan-shaped muscle that makes up the bulk of the chicken breast. It originates along the sternum (breastbone) and collar bone of the chicken and attaches to the humerus bone of the wing.
Pectoralis Minor
The pectoralis minor is the smaller, oval shaped muscle found underneath the pectoralis major on the lower portion of the breast. It sits above the ribcage and attaches to the ribs.
Both the pectoralis major and pectoralis minor are overlapped by a thin layer of fat and connective tissue.
Why Do Chicken Tenders Contain a Tendon?
Chicken tenders contain a tendon because they come from the pectoralis minor muscle which has a tendon running through it.
This tendon (known as the tender tendon) attaches the pectoralis minor muscle to the breastbone. It runs parallel to the muscle fibers through the length of the breast muscle.
When the pectoralis minor muscle is cut into long strips to make chicken tenders, portions of this tendon remain intact in the meat.
Importance of Removing the Tendon
The tendon in chicken tenders needs to be removed before cooking. This is because tendons are tough and chewy. If the tendon is not removed, it will be difficult to bite through and enjoy the tenders.
Here are some key reasons why removing the tender tendon is important when preparing chicken tenders:
Improves Texture
Removing the tendon helps make chicken tenders more tender when cooked. Leaving the tendon in can create an unpleasant rubbery texture.
Easier to Chew
Tendons don’t breakdown much during cooking. Trying to bite through intact tendons can be difficult, especially for children. Removing them makes tenders easier to chew.
Enhances Flavor
Tendons themselves are quite tasteless. Removing them allows the chicken flavor to come through instead of the bland tendon.
Better Mouthfeel
A tender that is free of tendons provides a better mouthfeel and sensation when biting into it. There is more softness without the toughness of tendons.
How to Remove the Tendon
It takes a little bit of knife work to remove the tendon from chicken tenders properly. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Locate the Tendon
Hold the tender in one hand and using your other hand press along the length of the strip. You will feel a tougher, rubbery cord-like structure running through it – this is the tendon.
Step 2: Make a Lengthwise Cut
Make a lengthwise cut down one side of the tender, slicing parallel and close to the tendon. Cut halfway through the thickness of the meat.
Step 3: Make Several Crosswise Cuts
Make several small crosswise cuts through the tender perpendicular to the first cut. Space these out every half inch or so.
Step 4: Pull Out the Tendon
Finally, take one end of the tendon and peel it out by pulling slowly. It should slip easily out from the meat through the crosswise cuts.
Step 5: Clean Up the Tender
Once removed, the tendon will leave behind a groove through the tender. Simply trim any leftover bits of tendon or connective tissue with a knife to leave just clean, tender meat.
Tendon Removal Tips
Here are some useful tips to get the tendon out cleanly:
– Work with partially frozen tenders to firm them up which makes tendon removal easier.
– Use a sharp, thin knife to avoid shredding the delicate meat.
– Cut lengthwise on the thickest side since this is where the tendon runs.
– Pull slowly on the tendon ends rather than jerking quickly.
– Chilling tenders again after tendon removal can help tighten meat back up.
Should You Remove Tendons From Chicken Breast?
You don’t need to remove tendons from whole chicken breasts. The tendon only runs through the pectoralis minor muscle, not the large pectoralis major which makes up most of the breast.
For boneless, skinless chicken breast, you also don’t need to remove any tendons. But with thinly sliced chicken cutlets or paillards you may be able to see or feel a faint tendon line through the meat which can be cut out.
Generally, removing tendons is only needed for chicken tenders or tenderloins where the tendon is very prominent.
Are There Tendons in Other Chicken Parts?
Most chicken parts besides the breast do contain tendons:
Legs and Thighs
The leg and thigh areas contain large tendons connecting the muscles to bone. These usually need slow moist cooking methods to tenderize.
Wings
The drumette section of wings has a tendon connecting to the joint. This tendon softens during cooking or can be removed.
Giblets
The heart, liver and gizzard can have interior tendons and connective tissue. These are edible after extended cooking.
Common Questions About Chicken Tender Tendons
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the tendons in chicken tenders:
Are the tendons and connective tissue safe to eat?
Yes, the tendons and connective tissue found in chicken are not harmful if consumed. They are made up of protein and collagen. However, they are quite chewy and tough.
What causes tough, chewy tendons in chicken?
Tendons are meant to attach muscle to bone and withstand pulling forces so they are constructed of very strong, dense, inelastic collagen protein structures. This makes them difficult to bite through when cooked.
Can I cook the tendons longer to make them tender?
Unfortunately longer cooking does not tenderize tendons much. Moist cooking methods like stewing may help somewhat but tendons remain chewy. It is best to simply remove them.
What does tendon taste like?
Chicken tendons themselves have very little flavor. They are quite mild but mostly come across as tough and rubbery in texture.
What can I use the removed tendons for?
You can reserve the removed tendons and use them to make chicken broth or stock. They will impart extra gelatin and collagen to enhance the broth.
Conclusion
Chicken tenders do contain a tough, chewy tendon running through them which should be removed before cooking. Locating the tendon and making strategic cuts allows you to easily peel it out in one piece. Removing it gives you tender, delicious chicken breast strips free of rubbery connective tissue. With the tendon gone, chicken tenders deliver the ultimate tender texture and chicken flavor in every bite.