by
I love chicken tenders, but I hate always having to pull out the deep fryer. Â The problem with oven baked tenders is that they are never crispy and delicious like their fried counterpart. Â So, I was experimenting and found the perfect way to bake crispy and juicy chicken tenders. Â The key is panko bread crumbs and vegetable spray.
Oven Baked Chicken Tenders
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
The first step is to prep the chicken tenders. Â Trim the fat and remove the tendon. Â Then season the chicken with salt and pepper.
Next set up the dredging stations. Â First, add 1 cup of flour to a shallow dish. Â Then season the flour with 1 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of pepper. Â Then add three eggs, 1 tbs dijon mustard, 1 tsp of garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper to another shallow dish or bowl. Â Whisk together.
Finally add 1 cup of panko bread crumbs and 2 tsp of paprika to a third shallow dish. Â The paprika helps to give the tenders a nice brown color when cooked. Â Remember we eat with our eyes too. For dishes, I like pie plates as they provide a nice medium for dipping the tenders.
To bread the tenders, place the tenders into the flour and coat. Â Shake the tenders to remove excess flour and then dip them into the egg mixture.
Finally place the egg drenched tenders into the panko bread crumbs.
Place the tenders on a greased rack that is placed over a baking sheet.
Once all of the tenders are breaded spray them lightly with vegetable spray. Â Make sure to spray both sides. Â As you can see from the picture once sprayed the tenders start to look delicious. Â The two tenders on the bottom have yet to be sprayed. Â The vegetable spray is key as it causes the panko bread crumbs to crisp and brown.
Place the tray into the preheated 425 degree oven for 15-17 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and the breading is nicely browned.
Remove and serve.
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 3 eggs
- 1 tbs dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 tsp paprika
- vegetable spray
-
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
-
The first step is to prep the chicken tenders. Trim the fat and remove the tendon. Then season the chicken with salt and pepper.
-
Next setup the dredging stations. First add 1 cup of flour to a shallow dish. Then season the flour with 1 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of pepper. Then add three eggs, 1 tbs dijon mustard, 1 tsp of garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper to another shallow dish or bowl. Whisk together.
-
Finally add 1 cup of panko bread crumbs and 2 tsp of paprika to a third shallow dish.
-
To bread the tenders, place the tenders into the flour and coat. Shake the tenders to remove excess flour and then dip them into the egg mixture.
-
Finally place the egg drenched tenders into the panko bread crumbs.
-
Place the tenders on a greased rack that is placed over a baking sheet.
-
Once all of the tenders are breaded spray them lightly with vegetable spray. Make sure to spray both sides.
-
Place the tray into the preheated 425 degree oven for 15-17 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and the breading is nicely browned.
-
Remove and serve.
These were some of the most delicious tenders that I have ever eaten.
The chicken was moist and the breading was crispy and delicious.
Looks like a simple and delicious way to make these. And probably much healthier.
You know me, Rex, I gotta ask what sauce you like to serve with these tenders? I'm thinking something creamy and cool and savory, even a homemade onion dip. Or a big, bold bbq sauce or hot sauce.
Brian, I love a nice bbq sauce with my tenders. I am working on a post for my new go to bbq sauce. It should be ready later this week. Sometimes I eat them on a sandwich with some marinara too. Delicious.
I found a McDonalds knock off hot mustard, but takes a few days for the flavours to come together so it’s not a make and immediately eat and it worked out great.
I have to admit, I hate oven fried stuff but those do NOT look oven fried at all. Great tip about the Pam.
Thanks Chris! I also hate oven fried stuff, but these came out exceptionally good.
Hey would you mіnԁ stаting whiсh blog platfоrm
уou’re using? I’m looκing tο start mу own blοg in the neaг future but I’m having a difficult time choosing between BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m lookіng fоr something completеly uniquе.
Р.Ѕ Aрologies foг getting оff-tοpic
but І had to ask!
I tried this tonight and it came out fantastic! Really moist with a great crunch.
natticusfinch – Glad you enjoyed it. The addition of the cooking spray before baking makes them so crunchy. Thanks for the awesome comment.
It is the best time to make a few plans for the long run and
it’s time to be happy. I have read this put up and if I could I wish to counsel you some attention-grabbing issues or suggestions. Perhaps you can write next articles regarding this article. I want to read even more things approximately it!
I do like this baked chicken tenders and here is just what I would like to bake for my family and fro my friends. I just really want to eat it all.
These are beautiful!
Thanks Ambergardner!
The highest compliment anyone can receive is from a teenager! My 16 y/o stepson told me it was really good!!! Since I always buy jumbo eggs I only used two and after I sprayed them with canola oil I dusted them with paprika. Many thanks!
I did mine the same exact way! They came out awesome! Thank you for the great recipe 🙂
I once ran out of whole wheat flour so I used ground flax seed instead as the 1st step in the dredging process. Noticed that paprika was getting lost when I mixed it with the panko. Now I sprinkle all the tenders, both sides,with paprika right before I pop them in the oven.
Great idea about sprinkling the tenders with the paprika so that it does not get lost in the panko. Glad you liked the tenders.
Just tested this recipe for use in my food science class (breading technique and healthier options baked vs. fried) – I am amazed, the tenders are juicy with a nice crunch! Thanks so much!
I also made my own honey mustard: prepared yellow mustard, honey, and crushed red pepper – tasty!
These are the best chicken tenders I ever had! I personally am a chicken lover… I love chickens, not just the meat! After having many chickens throughout the years please remember they are actually really smart animals and fun to watch and snuggle with as well! They each have their own personality and are very very smart animals Anyway… Because of that please try to buy more humane varieties of chicken (and eggs!) Yes… It is more expensive. But the chickens are taken care of and are at least able to enjoy their life before they are quickly and humanely slaughtered.
Continued….Anyway back to the recipie… I tend to enjoy them a little spicier so I add more cayenne pepper. Not a lot more, as it is a strong spice and you can always add more, but you can't take away! I like to dip them in ranch. If you are trying to eat healthier I recommend making your own ranch using a ranch packet and greek yogurt. Be careful not to put too much of the ranch packet in with the yogurt, it only needs a little. Also if you have freeze dried or fresh dill that also adds to the flavor. You can thin it out with a little milk if desired. It tastes just like ranch, I served this at a dinner I had and no one even knew. They were asking where I got the ranch from because it was so good!
Made these tonight for dinner, super delish! Very crunchy breading! Thanks for the recipe!
We eat chicken tenders at least once a week. My recipe is similar, but maybe a few less steps. I prepare the raw tenders the same way as above, but pat dry with paper towel. Slather with regular mayonaise and roll in crumbs, which consist of, 3 cups of crushed Rice Krispies, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper, all mixed together and put on paper plate for rolling chicken.
I line my cookie sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. Arrange the chicken on the tray and bake at 425 degrees for 10 minutes. Crispy, and delicious every time! Been using this recipe for the last 15+ years. My families favorite. Got the recipe off the Rice Krispie box! Enjoy!
That is interesting. Never would have thought to try mayonaise and Rice Krispies on chicken. Thanks for the comment. I will have to try that someday.
Everyone in the family loves these! I’ve made them a number of times already. Can you tell me if they can be made ahead of time and frozen?
Jeanne,
You could totatlly make these ahead of time. Assemble and then place onto a sheet pan in a single layer. Then place into the freezer. Once frozen remove from the pan and place into a zip top bag. To cook follow the same directions, but they will take another 5-10 minutes since they are starting from frozen.
Glad you enjoy the recipe.
Rex
Hello! Just wanted to let you know that your recipe rocks, Thank You!
Thanks. Love to hear it when people enjoy my recipes.
Rex
I just wanted to tell you how much we enjoy these, too! Have made many, many times now and love them! Thank you for the recipe!!! 🙂
I’ve made these chicken fingers three times now. They quickly became a family favorite! It’s unbelievable how crunchy they are. I do find that a cup of Pablo isn’t quite enough, so I use a cup and a half with 3 tbsp of paprika. Thanks for the recipe!!
Single, retired gentleman here. I made these following the recipe exactly as is. They came out amazing. Spraying both sides with cooking spray and cooking on the rack added the great crispiness. Thanks for the great recipe.
I am glad that the recipe wor ked for you and that you loved them. Thanks for the great comment.
Made these tonight for dinner, served with sliced tomatoes, celery and carrots. Added some ASV as a dip as well as blue cheese dressing and BBQ sauce. My husband LoVeD them, said they were the best! Great weekend food! And better tasting than a local chain chicken wing restaurant. Thank you!
Let have a look on the recipe of honey paprika chicken tenders, try it and have fun.
When do you spray the tenders
Spray them right before you put them in the oven.