Baked Chicken Tenders are a crispy, golden delight that’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Coated in a flavorful breadcrumb mixture and baked to perfection, they’re juicy on the inside and satisfyingly crunchy on the outside. It can be served with your favorite dipping sauce.
What You’ll Need
To make these baked chicken tenders, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- Chicken Tenders: You can use pre-cut chicken tenders or whole chicken breasts that you slice into strips.
- Breadcrumbs: For a crunchy coating, panko breadcrumbs work best, but regular breadcrumbs or crushed crackers can also be used.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and dried herbs like thyme or oregano add depth of flavor.
- Eggs: The egg wash helps the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken.
- Flour: A light dusting of flour before dipping the chicken into the egg wash will create a nice coating.
- Olive Oil: For brushing on the tenders before baking, ensuring they turn golden brown and crispy.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Baked Chicken Tenders
Use Panko Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs are light and crunchy, making them perfect for a crisp coating. If you can’t find panko, crushed cornflakes or crushed crackers are great alternatives.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: To get a crispy coating, leave some space between each tender on the baking sheet. If they’re too close together, the tenders will steam rather than bake.
Season the Chicken: Don’t just season the breadcrumbs; be sure to season the chicken itself before breading it for an extra boost of flavor.
Add a Touch of Spice: If you like a little heat, add cayenne pepper or chili powder to the breadcrumb mixture for a spicy kick.
Oven Temperature: For the crispiest tenders, bake them at a higher temperature (around 400°F) to get a golden-brown exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
Variations of Baked Chicken Tenders
This recipe is highly adaptable, and you can customize it based on your dietary preferences and flavor cravings.
Gluten-Free Baked Chicken Tenders: Swap regular breadcrumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free cereal.
Crispy Parmesan Chicken Tenders: Mix grated Parmesan cheese with the breadcrumbs for an extra cheesy and crispy coating.
Herbed Chicken Tenders: Add chopped fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, or parsley to the breadcrumb mixture for a fresh, herby flavor.
Buffalo Chicken Tenders: After baking, toss the tenders in buffalo sauce for a spicy, tangy twist.
How to Serve Baked Chicken Tenders
Baked chicken tenders are incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways:
- As a Main Dish: Serve them alongside roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a side salad for a complete meal.
- As a Snack: Pair them with dipping sauces like honey mustard, ranch, or a tangy barbecue sauce for a fun and satisfying snack.
- In a Sandwich: Place a few tenders in a soft bun with lettuce, tomato, and a drizzle of mayo or spicy sauce for a tasty chicken tender sandwich.
- On a Salad: Slice the tenders and top a fresh salad for a hearty and protein-packed meal.
How to Store Baked Chicken Tenders
If you have leftovers, storing them properly will help preserve their flavor and texture:
- Refrigerating: Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the chicken tenders. Arrange them on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until firm, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen tenders can be stored for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat the chicken tenders in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 10-15 minutes to maintain their crispiness. You can also microwave them, but they may lose some of their crunch.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken tenders?
Yes! If you have chicken breasts on hand, simply slice them into strips to make your own chicken tenders. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time slightly, as thicker pieces may take a little longer to cook through.
How can I make the tenders extra crispy?
For extra crispy chicken tenders, make sure you coat the chicken well with breadcrumbs and lightly spray the tenders with oil before baking. Using panko breadcrumbs and flipping the tenders halfway through cooking also helps achieve a crispier texture.
Can I make these chicken tenders ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the tenders in advance and refrigerate or freeze them before baking. If you freeze them, bake them directly from frozen, adding an extra 5-10 minutes to the cooking time.
Can I use a different type of coating besides breadcrumbs?
Absolutely! You can use crushed crackers, cornmeal, or even crushed potato chips for a unique coating. Each option will give the chicken tenders a different flavor and texture, so feel free to experiment.
Baked Chicken Tenders
Baked Chicken Tenders are a crispy, golden delight that's perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Coated in a flavorful breadcrumb mixture and baked to perfection, they’re juicy on the inside and satisfyingly crunchy on the outside.
Ingredients
For the breadcrumbs:
- 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs (Note 1), oil spray
For the batter:
- 1 egg,
- 1 tbsp mayonnaise,
- 1 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard (or any mustard you like),
- 2 tbsp flour,
- 1/2 tsp salt, black pepper to taste
For the chicken:
- 500g (1 lb) chicken tenderloins (or sliced chicken breasts, about 2/3" thick),
- oil spray
Instructions
- Set it to 200°C/390°F (180°C for fan-forced).
- Spread the panko on a baking tray, lightly spray with oil (aim the spray vertically), and bake for 3-5 minutes until golden. Set aside.
- Place a rack on a baking tray for even cooking (optional but recommended).
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, flour, salt, and pepper.
- Add the chicken to the batter and toss to coat thoroughly.
- Using tongs, place the battered chicken into the panko. Press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken so they stick. Place the breaded chicken onto the rack-lined tray.
- Lightly spray the chicken with oil, season with a pinch of salt (optional), and bake for 15 minutes (up to 20 minutes for larger pieces). Be careful not to overbake, or they’ll dry out!
- Once golden and crispy, remove from the oven and serve immediately with your favorite sauce (honey mustard pictured) and a sprinkle of fresh parsley if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 3 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 468Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 88mgSodium: 1055mgCarbohydrates: 44gFiber: 3gSugar: 4gProtein: 17g
Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Conclusion
Baked chicken tenders are an easy, flavorful, and healthier alternative to their fried counterparts. With a few simple ingredients and some easy-to-follow steps, you can create a crispy and juicy dish that is perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re serving them as a main dish, snack, or in a sandwich, these baked chicken tenders are sure to become a family favorite.
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