Baked Chicken Tenders Recipe

Delicious, flavorful, crispy chicken tenders that are healthy and will have any picky eater begging for seconds.

Chicken fingers are a classic and need not be messed with, until now. While they are normally fried and a bit greasy, these chicken fingers are baked and packed with flavor. Making them a perfect salad topping, game day go to, or a kids meal that you won’t feel bad serving again and again!

By baking these chicken fingers in the oven, they cook perfectly even and come out crispy and super juicy. They are so versatile and easy to make, that you’ll be adding them to your weekly rotation ASAP.

Why You Will Crave these chicken tenders again and again

So, something wild happens to me every Sunday from September to February. I crave chicken tenders, sometimes Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders or Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken, but I need the comfort of some yummy bites of chicken. Maybe it’s football season or the chilly weather in New York, but like Pavlov’s Dogs, I salivate thinking of my next chicken dish to cook Sunday afternoon. I found this baked chicken tender recipe and never looked back.

The best part is they can be added on top of Cobb Salad or Cucumber Tomato Salad for a nutritious full meal AND served to my kids for dinner without them ever touching any green stuff (you know how kids are). The whole family is happy!

Unlike traditional chicken tenders, these are dipped in a few spices: garlic and onion powder, smoked paprika, and s&p and baked to perfection. They are also perfectly amazing on their own.

Are Baked Chicken Tenders Healthy?

Since these chicken tenders are low in carbs and saturated fat, with eight grams of protein in each tender, they are super wholesome. Chicken also contains potassium, iron, and calcium.

This recipe calls for Panko bread crumbs which are lower in calories than traditional breadcrumbs. They also absorb less moisture than regular breadcrumbs keeping the chicken more tender and lighter.

To make this recipe Paleo / Keto / Whole 30 substitute the breadcrumbs with crushed nuts or a coconut crust like used here Honey Garlic Chicken with Coconut Crust. You can also omit the breadcrumbs and use just the spices, but the texture will (obviously) change. Be sure to check that they have internally reached 165 degrees with cooking thermometer.

So Simple

These chicken tenders are ridiculously easy and you likely have everything in your kitchen to make them for dinner tonight. Using boneless, skinless chicken tenders (or breasts cut into strips) Panko breadcrumbs, and seasoning you have the most delicious, crisp, and juicy chicken ready to go in a half hour.

Traditional chicken fingers are normally fried and need attention. Moving them around the pan so they cook evenly, flipping them before they get too brown, but not flipping too much because it will make the chicken tough… who has time for that?? As a working mom of two, I certainly don’t. After you pop these guys in the oven you get to do anything else until the timer goes off. These chicken tenders are perfect for a weeknight dinner or a quick snack when you have friends pop by. And, only one pan to clean!

INGREDIENTS

1 pound skinless boneless chicken breast tenders
Non-stick cooking spray
1 large egg
1 1/4 cups panko breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

Prep and Preheat

Get your oven hot and ready, and line your baking sheet for a quick cleanup.

Season and Shake

Create a flavorful coating with panko and spices in a bag for an easy, mess-free breading station.

Dip and Coat

Give your chicken tenders a quick egg wash, then dress them up in their seasoned panko coat.

Bake and Spray

Lay your tenders out and give them a spritz of cooking spray for that perfect golden finish.

Flip and Finish

Halfway through, flip your tenders for even cooking, then finish until they’re just right.

Broil for Crunch

A quick broil adds that irresistible crunch that takes your tenders from great to amazing.

Serve

Let them cool just a tad, then serve up your deliciously crispy tenders and enjoy every bite!

Devour

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

If you want to make these ahead or store any leftovers, place them in an airtight container once they have reached room temperature. These tenders can be stored in the fridge for up to three to four days.

Can I use regular breadcrumbs?

Yes! They will have a different texture (not as crispy) and won’t be as moist. But if that is all you have, go for it! The easier the better.

Are these paleo or keto-friendly?

Since this recipe calls for breadcrumbs they are not paleo or keto. However, feel free to omit the breadcrumbs or substitute them with crushed nuts.

How do I pound?

Use a meat mallet to pound chicken so each piece is the same thickness.
This will ensure every bite is cooked to perfection.

What if I don’t have breadcrumbs?

A secret trick if you do not have any breadcrumbs is to use any breakfast cereal or crackers you have. Simply smash the cereal or crackers up in a bag and use it as your coating. I am confident your kids will love these but if they are covered in a cereal it is a guarantee.

Serving Suggestions

You certainly cannot have chicken tenders without dipping sauce. My go-to for these is this simple Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce or Creamy Chipotle Sauce for a little kick.

For a healthy side, disguised as kid-friendly try pairing these with Keto Fries or gluten-free, crispy Parsnip Fries.

To elevate these chicken use them to top a refreshing Strawberry Chicken Salad or this Low-Carb Broccoli Salad.