Print

Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 84 reviews

This recipe for Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders offers a healthier alternative to fried chicken strips by baking them to golden perfection. The chicken is coated in a flavorful mixture of panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and spices, then lightly sprayed with olive oil to achieve a crispy, crunchy texture. Perfect for a family-friendly meal or a tasty snack, these chicken tenders are easy to prepare and bake quickly in the oven.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb chicken breasts or chicken tenders (cut into strips)
  • 2 large eggs (beaten)
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs (or regular breadcrumbs)
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional for extra flavor)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Olive oil spray (for coating)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking the chicken tenders to a crispy finish.
  2. Prepare the Coating Mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix these dry ingredients thoroughly to create a well-seasoned coating.
  3. Prepare the Egg Wash: In another bowl, beat the two large eggs until smooth. This will help the breadcrumb mixture adhere properly to the chicken strips.
  4. Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken strip first into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off, then dredge it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to ensure an even coating on all sides.
  5. Place on Baking Sheet: Arrange the coated chicken tenders on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly greased wire rack placed over a baking tray to allow air circulation.
  6. Olive Oil Spray: Lightly spray the coated chicken tenders with olive oil spray to promote crispiness and browning during baking.
  7. Bake: Bake the chicken tenders in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even crisping and cooking until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  8. Rest and Serve: Once done, remove the chicken tenders from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute and maintain moisture.

Notes

  • You can substitute regular breadcrumbs if panko is unavailable, but panko offers a lighter, crispier texture.
  • For extra flavor, add herbs like dried oregano or thyme to the breadcrumb mixture.
  • If using chicken breasts instead of tenders, be sure to slice them into uniform strips to ensure even cooking.
  • Use a wire rack on the baking sheet to help air circulate and keep tenders crispy on all sides.
  • Ensure chicken is cooked to at least 165°F for safety.

Keywords: crispy baked chicken tenders, baked chicken strips, healthy chicken tenders, oven-baked chicken, panko chicken tenders, easy chicken recipe

Find it online: https://kitchenbynora.com/crispy-baked-chicken-tenders-recipe/