Categories: Chicken

Oven Baked Chicken Tenders

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I love chicken tenders, but I hate always having to pull out the deep fryer.  The problem with oven baked tenders is that they are never crispy and delicious like their fried counterpart.  So, I was experimenting and found the perfect way to bake crispy and juicy chicken tenders.  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.  Trim the fat and remove the tendon.  Then season the chicken with salt and pepper.

Next set up 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.  The paprika helps to give the tenders a nice brown color when cooked.  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.  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.  As you can see from the picture once sprayed the tenders start to look delicious.  The two tenders on the bottom have yet to be sprayed.  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.

5 from 6 votes
Oven Baked Chicken Tenders
Perfectly crisp and delicious oven baked chicken tenders.
Servings: 3 -4
Author: Rex
Ingredients
  • 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
Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. The first step is to prep the chicken tenders. Trim the fat and remove the tendon. Then season the chicken with salt and pepper.
  3. 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.
  4. Finally add 1 cup of panko bread crumbs and 2 tsp of paprika to a third shallow dish.
  5. 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.
  6. Finally place the egg drenched tenders into the panko bread crumbs.
  7. Place the tenders on a greased rack that is placed over a baking sheet.
  8. Once all of the tenders are breaded spray them lightly with vegetable spray. Make sure to spray both sides.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.

Rex

Rex is an avid griller, barbecuer and bacon enthusiast. He is the Pitmaster for the Rex BBQ competition team. Rex was also featured on the TV show American Grilled. If you have any questions or wish to have Rex decode your favorite dish, click on the ASK REX link in the menu above.

View Comments

  • 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.

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    • natticusfinch - Glad you enjoyed it. The addition of the cooking spray before baking makes them so crunchy. Thanks for the awesome comment.

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  • 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.

  • 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 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!

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