Crunchy Baked Chicken Tenders Recipe

It is so tempting to empty a bag of frozen pre-made chicken tenders onto a sheet pan and bake them when in a hurry to get dinner on the table for the kids.

There is no denying that frozen tenders and nuggets are convenient. I am just not all that keen on some of the ingredients, especially the preservatives, fillers, and sodium.

Chicken Tenders Recipe

Making your own tenders can be much healthier and definitely tastier. It is fairly easy to make this recipe for baked chicken tenders that are as crunchy as deep-fried tenderloins.

The secret is to use potato chips for that super crunch factor.

Serve these tasty tenders with a dipping sauce, such as honey mustard, ranch dressing, or just ketchup. Here is an easy recipe for how to make baked chicken tenders.

Crunchy Baked Chicken Tenders Ingredients

How to Make Baked Chicken Tenders

Equipment

3 bowls
Parchment lined baking sheets

Ingredients

1 cup flour (all-purpose, gluten-free, etc.)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon paprika
1 tsp Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
5 cups tangy bbq chips, crushed
2 pounds boneless chicken breast, cut into strips

Time needed: 30 minutes

My Recipe for Crunchy Baked Chicken Tenders

Let’s Get Cooking
Preheat the oven to 450°F
Just Beat It
Lightly beat three eggs in a bowl and set aside.
Time to Get Dirty
Combine flour and seasonings in a bowl mix to incorporate.
Yes, Barbecue Chips
Crush barbecue chips in a plastic Ziploc bag and then pour into a medium-size bowl for dredging.
Salt & Pepper
Lightly sprinkle the chicken tenderloins with salt and pepper.
Flip Dip and Repeat
Coat the tenders in flour, then egg, then coat in barbecue chips and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Set a Timer
Bake for 10 minutes on one side flip over and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
Done Now Dip
Serve with honey mustard, ranch, or ketchup.

Notes

The tenders should be fully cooked through before serving. Baking them in a high heat oven at 450° will help the internal temperature of the tenders rise quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between chicken strips and chicken tenderloins?

The answer is simple: there is no difference between strips and tenderloins. The two terms are used interchangeably to refer to chicken breast slices or fingers.

Can you make chicken tenders in an air fryer?

You can absolutely air fry chicken tenders. They can be either fresh or frozen, naked, or breaded, and take only 8 to 10 minutes to cook. Check out air-fried.com for 3 different ways to cook chicken tenders in an air fryer.

How do I make chicken tenders without breadcrumbs?

This is a common question, especially for those who have a sensitivity to wheat gluten. It is also a great question for those who are on a keto or paleo diet. I like this recipe for chicken tenders that have a dry rub spice mixture.

Can breaded chicken tenders be made without eggs?

Many people have an allergy to eggs. There are some terrific substitutes for eggs that will help the breadcrumbs to stick to the chicken. You can use mustard, eggless mayonnaise, plant-based liquid eggs, BBQ sauce, or just plain olive oil. Here is an easy recipe for egg-free crunchy chicken tenders.

How do you cut chicken breast to make tenderloins?

Chicken tenders are simply sliced chicken breasts. You can also find packages of chicken tenders that are the small piece, or flap, of the chicken breast that the butcher often removes before packaging the whole breasts. These don’t need to be cut. I recommend using skinless, boneless chicken breasts to slice into tenders.