Red Robin Crispy Chicken Tender Platter: Full Review, Price, Calories & Copycat Recipe
If you love crunchy chicken tenders and crave-worthy fries in one plate, the Red Robin Crispy Chicken Tender Platter is a menu item worth your attention. Red Robin lists this dish as Clucks & Fries® in its entrées section, and it's built around hand-breaded, golden-fried chicken tenders served with creamy ranch and a full order of Bottomless Steak Fries. Below, I break down the taste, the price, the calories, what comes with it, and even a copycat recipe you can make at home.
What Is the Red Robin Crispy Chicken Tender Platter?
The Crispy Chicken Tender Platter is Red Robin's take on a classic chicken tenders and fries combo, only bigger and bolder. On the official menu, it goes by the name Clucks & Fries®. Each order includes several golden-fried chicken tenders made from whole chicken breast meat, hand-breaded and cooked to order until crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The tenders come with a side of Red Robin's housemade ranch dressing for dipping, plus a full serving of the restaurant's famous Bottomless Steak Fries®, which means you can ask for a refill of fries at no extra charge while you're dining in.
This platter sits in the entrées section of the menu next to items like the Ensenada Chicken™ Platter and the House-Battered Fish & Chips. It's a straightforward, family-friendly dish that works well for picky eaters, kids sharing with parents, or anyone who just wants comfort food done right.
Quick Facts at a Glance
Taste Review: How Does It Actually Taste?
The first thing you notice about the Crispy Chicken Tender Platter is the crunch. The breading is thick enough to hold up under sauce or ranch, but it never feels heavy or greasy. Inside, the chicken breast stays tender and moist, which is not always easy to pull off with fried tenders that sit under a heat lamp at other chains. Red Robin fries these to order, and it shows in the texture.
The ranch dip that comes with the platter is smooth, tangy, and slightly garlicky. It works well with the tenders on its own, but a lot of regulars also like to dunk the steak fries in it. The fries themselves are seasoned lightly with salt, so they don't compete with the ranch or the chicken. They're skin-on, which adds a bit of extra texture and a more homemade feel compared to plain frozen fries.
If you want to switch things up, Red Robin also offers a Buzz-Style version, where the same crispy tenders are tossed in a spicy, tangy Buzz sauce and served with fries topped in bleu cheese. That version has more heat and a bolder flavor, while the classic Clucks & Fries stays mild and familiar, which makes it a safer bet for kids or anyone who prefers a plain, crispy chicken taste.
Texture and Portion Size
Portion-wise, this platter is filling. Between the tenders and a full serving of steak fries, most people will feel satisfied without needing an appetizer first. Because the fries are bottomless when dining in, it's also a good option if you're extra hungry or sharing the table with someone who eats a lot of fries.
What Comes With the Platter (Extras and Add-Ons)
The base order includes the chicken tenders, one ranch dipping sauce, and Bottomless Steak Fries. Beyond that, there are a few easy ways to customize the platter:
- Sauce swap: Ask for honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or buffalo sauce instead of (or alongside) ranch.
- Fry upgrade: Swap regular Steak Fries for Sweet Potato Fries or Garlic Parmesan Steak Fries for a small additional charge.
- Spice it up: Order the Buzz-Style version if you want the tenders tossed in a spicy sauce with a side of bleu cheese fries.
- Make it a combo: Some locations offer a Clucks & Shrimp combo, pairing the tenders with crispy shrimp for surf-and-turf lovers.
- Drink pairing: Red Robin's bottomless drinks, like Freckled Lemonade® or Gold Peak® iced tea, pair nicely and keep the meal going without extra cost on refills.
If you want to browse everything else on the menu that pairs well with this platter, check out the appetizer menu for a starter, or the drinks menu to plan your full order.
Calories and Nutrition Facts
If you're tracking calories, it helps to know exactly what you're eating. The Crispy Chicken Tender Platter is a hearty, fried entrée, so it runs on the higher end of Red Robin's menu. Here's the nutrition breakdown for one full serving, including the ranch and steak fries:
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 1,340 kcal | 67% |
| Total Fat | 84 g | 108% |
| Saturated Fat | 15 g | 75% |
| Cholesterol | 100 mg | 33% |
| Sodium | 2,320 mg | 101% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 101 g | 37% |
| Dietary Fiber | 9 g | 32% |
| Sugars | 4 g | — |
| Protein | 26 g | — |
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet. Your needs may be higher or lower depending on your calorie requirements. Nutrition values can vary slightly by location, portion, and how the tenders are prepared, so treat these numbers as a close estimate rather than an exact figure.
For comparison, the Buzz-Style version runs noticeably higher in calories and sodium because of the added sauce and bleu cheese topping, so the classic platter is the lighter choice between the two, even though "light" isn't really the word for either one.
Is the Crispy Chicken Tender Platter Worth Ordering?
Why It's Worth It
- Genuinely crispy, fresh-fried texture, not soggy or reheated
- Bottomless fries mean more food for the same price when dining in
- Mild flavor that works for kids and picky eaters
- Good portion size for the $16.69 price point
- Easy to customize with different sauces or a spicy version
Things to Consider
- High in calories, sodium, and fat for one meal
- Not the most exciting option if you want bold or unique flavors
- Bottomless fries only apply to dine-in orders, not takeout
- Similar to tenders you can find at other casual chains
Overall, this platter earns its spot on the menu. It's reliable, the portions are generous thanks to the bottomless fries, and the price is fair for a casual dining chicken entrée. It's not going to surprise you with bold new flavors, but if you want a classic, well-made chicken tenders and fries meal, it delivers exactly what it promises. Pair it with a side salad or soup if you want to round out the meal with something lighter, or check the salad menu for options.
Copycat Red Robin Crispy Chicken Tender Platter Recipe
Want to make this at home? Here's a step-by-step copycat recipe that gets you close to the real thing: crispy, golden tenders with a tangy ranch dip and seasoned steak fries.
Homemade Crispy Chicken Tender Platter
Crispy, hand-breaded chicken tenders with a tangy homemade ranch dip and golden steak fries, made from scratch in your own kitchen.
Ingredients
For the chicken tenders
- 1.5 lbs chicken breast, cut into tender strips
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 large eggs
- Vegetable oil, for frying
For the ranch dip
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp buttermilk
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the steak fries
- 4 large russet potatoes, skin on
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Marinate the chicken. Place the chicken tender strips in a bowl with buttermilk and hot sauce. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for extra tenderness.
- Cut and soak the potatoes. Wash the russet potatoes and cut them into thick steak-fry wedges, keeping the skin on. Soak the cut potatoes in cold water for 20 minutes to remove excess starch, then drain and pat dry with a towel.
- Season and roast the fries. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss the dried potato wedges with vegetable oil, salt, and paprika. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crisp on the edges.
- Make the ranch dip. While the fries roast, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, and chives in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, then chill in the fridge until serving.
- Set up the breading station. In one bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt. In a second bowl, whisk the eggs.
- Bread the tenders. Remove the chicken from the buttermilk marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, dip into the whisked eggs, then coat again in the flour mixture for a thick, crunchy crust.
- Fry the tenders. Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot to 350°F (175°C). Fry the tenders in batches for 4 to 5 minutes per side, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
- Plate and serve. Arrange the crispy tenders on a plate next to the roasted steak fries. Serve with the chilled ranch dip on the side, and add extra sauces like honey mustard or barbecue sauce if you like.
Tip: For an even crispier crust, double-dip the tenders by repeating the egg wash and flour coating a second time before frying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Red Robin Crispy Chicken Tender Platter actually called on the menu?
On Red Robin's official menu, this dish is listed as Clucks & Fries®. It's commonly referred to as the Crispy Chicken Tender Platter by guests because it's built around hand-breaded, fried chicken tenders served with fries.
How much does the Crispy Chicken Tender Platter cost?
The average price is around $16.69, though it can vary slightly depending on your location and any current promotions.
How many calories are in the Crispy Chicken Tender Platter?
A full serving comes in at approximately 1,340 calories, including the chicken tenders, ranch dip, and steak fries. This can change slightly based on portion size and preparation.
Are the fries really bottomless?
Yes, when you dine in at Red Robin, the Steak Fries that come with this platter are bottomless, meaning you can request refills at no extra cost.
Is there a spicy version of the chicken tenders?
Yes, Red Robin offers a Buzz-Style version where the same crispy tenders are tossed in a spicy, tangy sauce and served with fries topped in bleu cheese for extra heat and flavor.
Can I make this dish at home?
Yes, the copycat recipe above walks you through hand-breaded fried chicken tenders, a homemade ranch dip, and oven-roasted steak fries so you can recreate the platter in your own kitchen.
More Menus You Might Like
Curious about the rest of what Red Robin has to offer? Here are a few more menu categories worth checking out:
- Gourmet Burgers Menu
- Tavern Burgers Menu
- Wraps & Chicken Sandwiches
- Chicken Wings Menu
- Full Entrées Menu
- Family Menu
- Kids Menu
- Desserts Menu
- Milkshakes Menu
- Happy Hour Menu
- Adult Beverages
- Veggie Patties Menu
Hungry for more?
Browse every burger, entrée, side, and drink Red Robin has to offer.
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