Description

Crispy and flavorful Oven Baked Chicken Tenders, coated in a seasoned flour and breadcrumb mixture and baked to golden perfection. This recipe offers a healthier alternative to fried chicken tenders without compromising on taste, making it perfect for family meals or a delicious snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

2 lbs chicken breast, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 1-inch width strips

Coating

1 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika

Wet Ingredients

2 eggs

Bread Crumbs

1 cup breadcrumbs (gluten-free can be used)
1 cup panko breadcrumbs (gluten-free can be used)

Others

Cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the chicken tenders evenly and achieve a crispy coating.
Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
Make Flour Mixture: In a shallow dish or pie pan, whisk together the flour, salt, black pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder until the seasoning is evenly distributed.
Beat Eggs: In a separate shallow dish, lightly beat the eggs to create the binding mixture for the coating process.
Combine Breadcrumbs: In a third dish, whisk together the regular breadcrumbs and panko breadcrumbs to ensure a crunchy texture in the final coating.
Coat Chicken Strips: Take each chicken strip and first dip it into the seasoned flour mixture, coating it thoroughly. Then dip it into the beaten eggs, and finally toss it in the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring every strip is evenly coated. Place the coated strips on the prepared baking sheet with some space in between.
Apply Cooking Spray: Lightly spray each coated chicken strip with cooking spray to help achieve a golden brown, crispy finish while baking.
Bake: Bake the chicken tenders in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. Ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F according to USDA safety guidelines for poultry.
Serve: Remove from the oven and serve hot with your favorite dipping sauces, such as honey mustard, ranch, or barbecue sauce.

Notes

Use gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs if you require a gluten-free option.
Cooking spray helps to achieve a crispier texture without deep frying.
Make sure not to overcrowd the baking sheet to allow air circulation and even cooking.
Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure food safety.
These chicken tenders reheat well in the oven or air fryer for leftovers.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: oven baked chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, healthy chicken tenders, baked chicken strips, easy chicken recipe