Say goodbye to greasy, deep-fried chicken and hello to these unbelievably Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders! This recipe delivers that satisfying crunch you crave without a single drop of excess oil. It’s the perfect weeknight meal that’s both kid-approved and secretly healthy. We’re talking golden, juicy, and perfectly seasoned chicken tenders straight from your oven.
Forget the fast-food version. With just a few simple pantry staples and a clever baking technique, you’ll create chicken tenders that are tender on the inside and audibly crispy on the outside. This is the ultimate guilt-free comfort food you’ll make again and again.
Crispy on the outside, perfectly juicy on the inside.
Why This Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders Recipe Works
You might be wondering how it’s possible to get that deep-fried texture from an oven. The secret lies in a few key steps that guarantee a perfectly golden and crunchy coating every time.
Healthier Comfort Food: We skip the deep fryer entirely, using the oven’s high heat to create a crispy crust. It’s all the flavor with a fraction of the fat.
Incredibly Flavorful: A well-seasoned panko breadcrumb coating sticks perfectly to the chicken, ensuring every bite is packed with savory flavor.
Perfectly Juicy: Baking at the right temperature ensures the chicken cooks through while staying incredibly moist and tender. No more dry chicken!
Family-Friendly Favorite: From toddlers to adults, everyone loves chicken tenders. This recipe is a guaranteed winner for easy family dinners.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe relies on simple, easy-to-find ingredients. The magic is in how we combine them!
Chicken Tenderloins: You can buy pre-cut tenderloins or slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch thick strips.
All-Purpose Flour: This creates the initial layer for the egg wash to cling to.
Eggs: The binder that makes the crispy panko coating stick.
Panko Breadcrumbs: This is non-negotiable for achieving the crispiest texture! Their larger, airier structure gets crunchier than regular breadcrumbs.
Olive Oil: A touch of oil helps the panko toast to a perfect golden brown in the oven.
Seasonings: We use a simple but powerful blend of paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
Look at that unbelievably crunchy crust, made right in the oven!
How to Make Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
Follow these simple steps for flawless, crunchy chicken tenders. The key is to set up an organized dredging station before you begin.
1. Prepare Your Pans and Breading Station
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a wire rack inside a large baking sheet. This is crucial! Elevating the chicken allows hot air to circulate underneath, ensuring the bottoms get just as crispy as the tops.
Next, set up your three shallow dishes for breading. In the first, mix the flour, salt, and pepper. In the second, whisk the eggs. In the third, combine the panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and olive oil. Use a fork to toss the panko with the oil until it’s evenly coated.
2. Dredge the Chicken
Pat the chicken tenderloins completely dry with a paper towel. Working one at a time, dredge a tender in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the egg wash, letting any extra drip off. Finally, press the tender firmly into the panko mixture, ensuring it’s completely coated on all sides.
3. Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the coated chicken tenders in a single layer on the prepared wire rack. Be sure not to overcrowd them. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden brown and crispy.
Expert Tips for the Crispiest Tenders
Don’t Skip the Wire Rack: It is the single most important tool for achieving 360-degree crispiness and avoiding a soggy bottom.
Toast the Panko: For an extra layer of crunch, you can toast the panko-oil mixture in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes before breading the chicken.
Pat the Chicken Dry: Removing excess moisture from the chicken is essential for helping the coating adhere properly.
Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Give the tenders space on the baking sheet. Overcrowding will cause them to steam instead of bake, resulting in a softer crust. Use two pans if needed. For another great one-pan meal, try this One-Pan Chicken and Potato Bake.
Serving Suggestions & Dipping Sauces
These crispy baked chicken tenders are incredibly versatile. Serve them as a main course with your favorite sides like roasted vegetables, a fresh salad, or some delicious Garlic Butter Breadsticks.
Of course, you need a great dip! Here are a few ideas:
Classic Honey Mustard: A simple mix of Dijon mustard, honey, and a touch of mayonnaise.
Creamy Ranch: A classic choice that never fails.
Spicy BBQ: Your favorite barbecue sauce with a dash of hot sauce.
Sweet Chili Sauce: For a sweet and spicy kick.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat and bring back that amazing crunch, place them on a wire rack in an oven or air fryer preheated to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 5-8 minutes until hot and crispy again. We don’t recommend microwaving, as it will make the breading soggy.
The secret is using Panko breadcrumbs tossed with a little oil and baking them on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet. The wire rack allows hot air to circulate all around the tenders, making them crispy on all sides, not just the top.
The ideal temperature is 400°F (200°C). This high heat helps the panko coating get golden and crispy quickly without overcooking and drying out the chicken inside.
Absolutely! To cook in an air fryer, preheat it to 375°F (190°C). Place the tenders in a single layer in the basket and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best results, reheat them in a 375°F (190°C) oven or air fryer for 5-8 minutes until they are hot and crispy again. Avoid the microwave, as it will make the breading soggy.
Yes, you can easily make this recipe gluten-free. Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend and use gluten-free panko breadcrumbs.
More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
If you enjoyed this recipe, you’re sure to love some of our other easy and delicious chicken dinners!
I hope you love these Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders as much as my family does! If you make them, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Don’t forget to save this recipe to your favorite board on Pinterest!
You won't believe these crispy chicken tenders are baked, not fried!
Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
FL Recipes
Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders (Easy & Healthy!)
Achieve unbelievably crispy, crunchy, and juicy oven-baked chicken tenders with this easy, healthy recipe. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner the whole family will love!
1.5lbschicken tenderloinsor boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch strips
0.5cupall-purpose flour
2large eggslightly beaten
1.5cupspanko breadcrumbs
2tbspolive oil
1tsppaprika
1tspgarlic powder
0.5tsponion powder
1tspsalt
0.5tspblack pepper
Equipment
1 Baking Sheet
1 Wire Rack
3 Shallow Dishes
Method
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a wire rack on a large baking sheet.
Arrange three shallow dishes. In the first, combine flour, salt, and pepper. In the second, lightly beat the eggs. In the third, combine panko breadcrumbs, olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix the panko and oil until well combined.
Pat the chicken tenders dry. Working one at a time, coat in the flour mixture, then dip in the egg, and finally press firmly into the panko mixture to coat completely.
Place the coated chicken tenders in a single layer on the prepared wire rack. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden and crispy.
Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces.
Nutrition
Calories: 380kcalProtein: 38gFat: 14gFiber: 2g
Notes
Tip 1: For extra crispy tenders, toast the panko and oil mixture in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes before breading. Tip 2: Ensure the chicken tenders are in a single layer and not touching on the wire rack to promote even cooking and crisping.
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
