Copycat Long John Silvers Chicken Planks Recipe (2024)

By Robin Gagnon | Updated on 07/19/2022

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Do you love Long John Silver's Chicken Planks like I do? Well, today I have a great copycatrecipe to share with you. The trick is in mimicking the iconic Long John Silver batter.

This is the perfect solution, if the nearest Long John Silvers is at least an hour drive away. You can still have some Long John Silvers chicken tenders!

Long John Silver's Chicken Batter

Of course, the most important part of a successful copycat ofLong John Silver'schicken planks is in a nice crispy flavorful batter recipe. This chicken batter has great "puff" to it, and the reports I'm getting are positive on crispness and flavor.

Why not make a big batch of these copycat chicken planks this weekend to enjoy with your family. I'm sure it will make them very happy.

Serving the Battered Chicken

These chicken planks are great with fries or a nice pasta salad. I like to dunk them in all kinds of sauces... Fry Sauce, Honey Mustard, Ranch Dressing or even homemade Yum Yum sauce. You can even mix restaurants and dunk them in some of my Chick-fil-a sauce recipe!

In the mood for something spicier or bone-in chicken, try myPopeyes Fried Chicken Recipe.

Copycat Long John Silvers Chicken Planks Recipe

The big thing to get right on the chicken planks is the Long John Silver's Batter recipe.

4.83 from 312 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Entree

Cuisine: American

Calories:

Author: Contributor

Ingredients

1 lb Chicken Tenderloins

Long John Silver Batter

¾ cup Flour
2 tablespoon Cornstarch
¼ teaspoon Baking Soda
¼ teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Sugar
¼ teaspoon Onion Powder
¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder
¾ cup Water

Instructions

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
Add water and stir until well combined.
Heat oil to between 360 and 375.
Dip fish or chicken in batter to coat completely.
Deep fry for until golden brown (about 3 minutes per side).

Be sure and check out the comments below, many readers have shared some great tips!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

Kerri says
April 14, 2020 at 12:38 am
Also use the batter for onion rings!!!!
Reply
- Robin Gagnon says
  April 14, 2020 at 11:44 am
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  Awesome idea!
  Reply
- Doug says
  June 18, 2020 at 11:14 am
  Thanks for the idea! Doing onion rings with the leftover batter tonight.
  Reply
Robert C says
April 20, 2020 at 10:59 pm
WOW - That was AMAZING!!! I have been craving LJS for a long time and no locations close enough to where I live. The recipe was great and easy to put together....flavor on point! I added a dash of Paprika, and dash of seasoned salt along with regular salt, and in place of water I used club soda. The chicken planks came out fluffy, light, and crispy in a golden brown color. Thanks for the tip on the 3 minutes frying each side.....perfect amount of time. Trick as mentioned earlier is to to make sure oil is HOT before lightly placing chicken planks in the oil. THANKS
Reply
ROB HALE says
June 11, 2020 at 12:50 pm
If you want it to taste exactly like LJS, you MUST use Peanut oil. That's what they cook it in!
Reply
- BAM says
  December 11, 2022 at 1:12 pm
  In 2018, LJS published a statement in Businesswire stating the use 100% Canola Oil to avoid the risk of nut allergies.
  Reply
  - Julie Boyd says
    January 20, 2024 at 8:29 pm
    Very good. Tastes almost just like long johns.
    Reply
DC says
November 10, 2020 at 2:48 pm
This is a pretty good recipe for chicken coating. It does come out crispy and similar in texture to Long John Silver's. But does it taste exactly like it? No, not really. It doesn't have as much flavor as LJS. It's definitely missing something, I just don't know what.
Reply
- Andrea Riley says
  June 24, 2022 at 6:05 pm
  Lemon and salt!
  Reply
Ann says
December 28, 2020 at 6:20 pm
I bet malt vinegar is IN the batter.
Reply
Juli says
January 10, 2021 at 9:32 pm
Amazing and easy, as II hate cooking and I made something my whole family would eat !!!!! Had extra batter and made onion rings too.
Reply
Margaret says
August 26, 2021 at 12:26 am
So if one were to add the malt vinegar- how much, please?
Thanks!
Reply
Paddy says
February 18, 2022 at 7:05 am
Gonna try this... Rain ALL weekend... Miss those chicken planks and fry's dipped in ranch and malt vinegar! Thanks a TON!
See Also
Copy Cat Recipe Papa John's Garlic Dipping Sauce
Reply
Nathan says
March 25, 2022 at 11:20 pm
What would the cooking time be in a deep fryer?
Reply
Charlotte says
April 09, 2022 at 9:26 pm
It's nearly perfect!!! Make sure your oil is definitely at 375. Use a large Dutch oven to fry or a true fryer. If you add a tbsp of white vinegar to the batter, it IS LSJ!!!
Reply
Bonnie Dietrich says
April 12, 2022 at 10:47 am
What to do if you do not have cornstarch what can you use to replace cornstarch
Reply
- Robin Gagnon says
  April 12, 2022 at 1:18 pm
  Tapioca starch is used in Japanese tempura, that would probably work. I really don't have a suggestion past that.
  Reply
Rachel says
April 30, 2022 at 3:35 pm
Crazy Question: Frying the tenderloin chicken on both sides for three minutes is enough to throughly cook it?
Reply
Keisha says
July 01, 2022 at 4:57 pm
Is this with frozen chicken tenders or thawed?
Reply
- Robin Gagnon says
  July 01, 2022 at 5:11 pm
  raw fresh or thawed
  Reply
sandra-lee says
September 18, 2022 at 9:49 pm
can beer be used in stead of the water i am going to try it both ways
Reply
- Robin Gagnon says
  September 19, 2022 at 6:13 am
  I think it will come out fine. Perhaps even better. Please report back on how you like it.
  Reply
- John Swepston says
  October 27, 2022 at 8:24 pm
  You can always substitute beer for the liquid component in a batter. Basically that is how you make beer battered onion rings
  Reply
Jamie says
November 02, 2022 at 11:38 am
To replicate that "fish fried in the same oil" funk, add a teaspoon or so of mild Fish Sauce (from the Asian market).
Reply
Ash says
November 03, 2022 at 8:20 pm
Silly question, but if I were to use fish instead of chicken, what kind of fish is recommended?
Reply
- Robin Gagnon says
  November 06, 2022 at 9:54 pm
  Personally I prefer using haddock, but I expect the restaurant uses pollock.
  Reply
  - Holly Adams says
    March 06, 2023 at 3:04 pm
    The restaurant uses Alaskan cod
    Reply
Alan Crowder says
January 01, 2023 at 6:12 pm
Made this and it was great! I since have used it as an onion ring and fish batter.
Reply
Tammy says
January 20, 2023 at 2:10 pm
I've been using a similar batter for many yrs. I put a Tbsp of Cajun seasoning in also (gives it a lil kick) and no onion powder. Beer instead of water, I think beer makes it light, airy. Definitely going to try this.
Reply
Cherie Melara says
January 31, 2023 at 6:03 pm
My kids love this recipe and request it often. Thank you for posting this!
Reply
Angie says
February 03, 2023 at 9:26 pm
Has anyone tried air frying something along this line?
Reply
Amy says
February 04, 2023 at 4:28 pm
Love there chicken
Reply
George Moy says
February 27, 2023 at 1:47 am
Oh good a recipe for long John silvers chicken planks what I really need especially there were once a dozen long John silvers all over michigan, but now most of the LJS don’t exist in Michigan and what little location they have left is in far away places.So Thanks for the recipe Thumbs up!
Reply
Robyn Perkins says
November 08, 2023 at 10:51 am
Thank you for posting this recipe!
Reply
Gina says
February 19, 2024 at 3:54 am
Phenomenal recipe!! I moved to eastern WA and we don't have a ljs close by. My husband and I have missed it so much! Thank you for sharing!! Now that I've made it, not sure how to store it now 😅
Reply

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Copycat Long John Silvers Chicken Planks Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Do you dip chicken in egg before frying? ›

Step 1: Dredge the chicken

In a separate shallow dish, briefly beat the eggs with the water before adding the salt, remaining 1-1/3 cups flour and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg mixture and then into the flour mixture. Turn each piece until it is fully coated.

See Details ›

What type of fish does Long John Silver use? ›

Long John Silver's wild-caught Cod and Pollack come from the icy waters of the North Pacific Ocean, one of the best-managed and most sustainable fisheries in the world. LJS fish is fresh-caught, and flash-frozen while still aboard the fishing boats to lock in the flavor.

Know More ›

Is it better to dip chicken in egg or buttermilk? ›

Buttermilk Is More Than A Better Coating

This acidic nature also helps lightly tenderize the meat, creating an even juicier, more succulent texture. Even a few minutes of soaking in buttermilk (or resting after breading) can make a big difference.

View Details ›

Why do you dip chicken in ice water before frying? ›

If you soak the chicken in an ice water bath prior to the dredging and breading process, the cold liquid will firm the meat and keep it moist — it's basically like brining the chicken first. The ice-cold skin will also make sure your breading of choice will stay on the poultry during the frying process.

Show Me More ›

How long to let batter sit on chicken before frying? ›

Batter the chicken:

The flour helps the egg mixture adhere to the chicken. Then dip the chicken back into the flour mixture. Allow the battered chicken to sit for about 10 minutes before dropping into the hot grease to fry. This should be a standard when battering anything to fry.

Get More Info Here ›

How to keep breading from falling off fried chicken? ›

Place the breaded chicken on a cooling rack (or a platter) and chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes. This cooling time will help the layers of breading ingredients solidify and adhere better after the chicken cooks. Once you start cooking the chicken, be patient and don't flip it over too early.

What makes batter stay crispy? ›

The simplest one involves the use of cold sparkling water, flour, pepper and a pinch of baking soda: a batter for crispy and swollen fried food, without the use of eggs, for frying vegetables, fish or chicken.

Tell Me More ›

How unhealthy is Long John Silvers? ›

Many of the options are battered and fried, which makes them high in calories, fat, and sodium. If you are eating here regularly, it's best to choose baked fish options with a high fiber side dish such as a baked potato and broccoli."

Discover More Details ›

What was the old name of Long John Silver's? ›

Long John Silver's, formerly known as Long John Silver's Seafood Shoppes and sometimes abbreviated as LJS, is an American chain of fast-food restaurants that specializes in seafood. The brand's name is derived from the character of the same name from Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Treasure Island.

How do you reheat chicken without making it rubbery? ›

cover with aluminum foil. bake on 350 for about 15 minutes, flipping halfway through. this is my favorite way to reheat chicken. yes, it takes a little longer, but it is so juicy, so delicious.

See Details ›

How do you make chicken not taste weird after reheating? ›

Depending on what I'm reheating, I will soak a paper towel sheet in water and wrap the food in it or at least cover the item with the soaking wet towel. Other tips: Pour 1–2 tablespoons of water, chicken or beef broth over the meat when reheating. If it's a creamy or cheesy pasta, add a little milk.

Can you fry chicken without dipping in the egg? ›

To make the chicken coating stick without using eggs, you can dip the chicken pieces in a liquid such as oil or melted butter, then roll them in your desired coating mixture, such as breadcrumbs or seasoned flour. The oil or melted butter will act as the binding agent to help the coating adhere to the chicken.

Read The Full Story ›

What does egg do to chicken when frying? ›

Using egg whites to adhere the coating to the chicken ensures that the crust stays put, even if your chicken sticks to the bottom of the frying pan. The last bit of atypical preparation is sprinkling the hot chicken with the Bromberg's Fried Chicken Seasoning once it comes out of the fryer.

Know More ›

Why do you put an egg before chicken? ›

It's pretty safe to say that the egg came first, because if there had been no egg, there would have been no chicken. Chickens are birds, and we know that birds evolved from reptiles, so we can say that the first bird hatched from an egg that was laid by a reptile that was very similar to, but not quite, a bird itself.

Why do people dip chicken in eggs? ›

"Coat your chicken in an egg wash using eggs mixed with milk or water," Moyer continued. "The egg wash helps with adhering [to] the final breading layer. It will also cook up, helping the breading to be crispy.

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