Description
Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders are your perfect weeknight dinner solution that comes together faster than ordering takeout. Crunchy on the outside, tender inside, these chicken tenders deliver maximum flavor with minimal effort and clean-up.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 1.5 lbs chicken tenders
Breading Ingredients:
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Wet Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ¼ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 425°F and cover a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Combine 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, ½ cup flour, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika, and ¼ cup parmesan in a shallow dish.
- Crack 2 large eggs into a separate bowl and whisk until thoroughly blended.
- Take each chicken tender and gently pat dry with paper towels to remove surface moisture.
- Thoroughly coat the tender in the flour mixture, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Dunk the flour-coated tender into the whisked eggs, allowing excess to drip off.
- Roll the egg-dipped tender back into the breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly so crumbs stick completely.
- Arrange breaded tenders on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them apart for even cooking.
- Drizzle ¼ cup olive oil lightly across the tenders to help them crisp up.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, carefully flipping halfway through cooking time.
- Check that internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer.
- Allow tenders to rest 3-5 minutes before serving to seal in juices.
- Pair with your preferred dipping sauce for extra flavor.
Notes
- Always pat chicken tenders completely dry before breading to ensure maximum crispiness and help coating stick perfectly.
- Space tenders apart on the baking sheet so hot air circulates and creates an even, crisp exterior without steaming.
- For gluten-free version, swap regular flour and panko with almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs, which work wonderfully.
- Experiment with different spice blends in the coating mixture to customize flavor – try ranch seasoning, taco spices, or Italian herbs for variety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 388 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 565 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1.5 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg