Golden, Crunchy, and Baked to Perfection – Better Than Fried!
There’s something irresistibly nostalgic about chicken tenders—especially when they’re crispy, juicy, and golden like the ones you grew up loving. These Crispy Homemade Baked Chicken Tenders bring all that flavor and crunch you crave, without a drop of deep-frying.
Baked to perfection and coated in a savory, well-seasoned crumb, these chicken tenders are quick to prep, easy to make, and perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Plus, they’re healthier than traditional fried versions without sacrificing any crunch.
🛒 Ingredients
Serves: 4 | Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 20 mins | Total: 35 mins
For the Chicken:
- Chicken tenderloins – 600g (or slice boneless chicken breasts into strips)
- Salt – 1 teaspoon (5g)
- Black pepper – ½ teaspoon (2g)
- Garlic powder – 1 teaspoon (3g)
- Paprika – 1 teaspoon (2g)
- Buttermilk – 120ml (or regular milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice)
For the Breading:
- All-purpose flour – 80g
- Eggs – 2 large (100g)
- Panko breadcrumbs – 120g
- Grated Parmesan cheese – 30g
- Dried oregano – 1 teaspoon (1g)
- Paprika – 1 teaspoon (2g)
- Salt – ½ teaspoon (2g)
- Olive oil or cooking spray – for coating
👨🍳 Instructions
🔪 Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
- In a bowl, mix the chicken tenderloins with buttermilk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- Let marinate for at least 15 minutes (or up to 6 hours in the fridge for extra juiciness).
🍳 Step 2: Prepare the Breading Station
- Set up three shallow dishes:
- One with flour
- One with beaten eggs
- One with panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan, oregano, paprika, and a pinch of salt
- Dredge each chicken strip in flour, dip into egg, then press into the breadcrumb mixture until well-coated.
🔥 Step 3: Bake to Crispy Perfection
- Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F). Line a baking tray with parchment and place a wire rack on top (for even crisping).
- Arrange breaded tenders on the rack, then lightly spray with olive oil or drizzle with a bit of oil.
- Bake for 20–22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temp reaches 74°C (165°F).
🍽️ Nutrition (Per Serving, approx.)
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Protein: 38g
- Fat: 14g
- Carbs: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 520mg
💡 Tips & Tricks
- Don’t skip the rack! Elevating the tenders helps air circulate, giving a true fried-like crunch.
- Double-dip method: For extra crunch, dip in egg and breadcrumbs twice.
- Spice it up: Add cayenne or hot sauce to the marinade for a kick.
- Freeze it: Freeze uncooked breaded tenders on a tray, then store in bags. Bake from frozen for 25–30 minutes.
🧠 My Twist: Chicken Tender Dipping Bar!
Turn dinner into an event! Create a "dipping bar" with a variety of sauces:
- Classic honey mustard
- Spicy sriracha mayo
- Ranch or garlic aioli
- Sweet chili or BBQ sauce
Let family or guests mix and match—it’s interactive, fun, and makes even a simple dinner feel special.
🧊 Storage & Reheating
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat in an oven or air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 8–10 minutes to keep them crispy.
- Freeze cooked tenders and reheat from frozen for easy meals on busy nights.
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