Description
Chicken tenders wrap your taste buds in crispy, golden comfort that beats any store-bought version. Baking these protein-packed gems at home means controlling ingredients and enjoying a healthier, crunchier alternative to deep-fried favorites.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 1 pound chicken breasts
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs
Secondary Ingredients:
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Combine 1 cup breadcrumbs, ½ cup parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper in a shallow mixing bowl.
- Whisk 2 eggs in a separate bowl until smoothly blended.
- Dunk each chicken strip into the beaten eggs, ensuring complete coverage.
- Roll the egg-coated chicken strip through the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to help crumbs adhere completely.
- Arrange the breaded chicken strips on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart for even cooking.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated 400°F oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.
- Check the internal temperature reaches 165°F by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of a chicken strip.
- Remove from oven when golden brown and crispy, letting the tenders rest for 3 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Swap panko breadcrumbs for regular breadcrumbs to get an extra crispy coating that adds more crunch to your chicken tenders.
- Ensure chicken strips are similar in size so they cook evenly and prevent some pieces from becoming dry or undercooked.
- Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature reaches 165°F, which guarantees safe and perfectly cooked chicken every time.
- Experiment with different spice blends like ranch seasoning, taco mix, or Italian herbs to customize the flavor profile and keep the dish exciting.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 314 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 465 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg