Oh, chicken tenders! Seriously, is there anything better than a pile of perfectly crispy, golden chicken strips? I’ve spent years perfecting my little secret for making these Irresistible Baked Chicken Tenders Crispy Delight right in my own kitchen, and trust me, they’re a game-changer. Forget soggy, sad fried chicken; these baked beauties are just as satisfying, if not more so! My kids go absolutely bonkers for them, and honestly, I can demolish a batch myself without batting an eye. They’re just so darn easy to whip up, perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or even a fun appetizer.
Why You’ll Love These Irresistible Baked Chicken Tenders Crispy Delight
Seriously, these chicken tenders are a no-brainer! Here’s why they’ll become your new go-to:
- So Easy to Make: You really only need about 15 minutes of prep!
- Ridiculously Crispy: That panko and Parmesan coating? Chef’s kiss!
- Healthier Option: We’re baking these bad boys, not frying, so you can feel a little better about them.
- Kid-Approved: If your kids are picky eaters, these are a guaranteed win.
- Super Versatile: Perfect for dinner, lunch, or even party snacks!
- Packed with Flavor: The garlic, paprika, and Parmesan make every bite taste amazing.
Ingredients for Your Irresistible Baked Chicken Tenders Crispy Delight
Okay, so gathering your ingredients is super simple for these amazing tenders! You probably have most of this stuff in your pantry already. Here’s what you’ll need:
- About 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, all cut into nice, bite-sized strips. Think tender-finger-foods!
- 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs – trust me, this is key for that super crunch!
- A good half cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Don’t skimp here!
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder.
- A nice 1/2 teaspoon of paprika – gives it that pretty color.
- Just 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
- And 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
- 2 large eggs, all whisked up and ready for dipping.
- And finally, 2 tablespoons of olive oil for that final drizzle right before baking.
Essential Equipment for Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
You don’t need a ton of fancy gadgets for these awesome tenders. Just grab a sturdy baking sheet – one that’s not warped, so your tenders bake evenly. Parchment paper is your best friend here; it makes cleanup a breeze and stops everything from sticking! Also, have a couple of shallow dishes handy for your egg wash and your crispy breadcrumb mix. Easy peasy!
How to Make Irresistible Baked Chicken Tenders Crispy Delight: Step-by-Step
Alright, let’s get down to business and make these amazing crispy baked chicken tenders! It’s honestly so straightforward, you’ll be wondering why you ever bothered with anything else. Just follow along with these simple steps, and you’ll have a plate full of golden deliciousness in no time! We want them to be as crispy and delightful as those garlic herb butter chicken bites!
Preheating and Prep
First things first, gotta get that oven nice and hot! Go ahead and preheat it to 400°F (that’s 200°C). While it’s heating up, grab your baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Trust me, this step is a lifesaver for easy cleanup and makes sure your tenders don’t stick, which is the *last* thing we want!
Creating the Crispy Coating
Now for that magical crispy coating! Grab a shallow dish – a pie plate works perfectly. Dump in your panko breadcrumbs, that grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir with a fork until it’s all nicely combined. You want it to look like a beautiful, seasoned snowdrift ready for our chicken!
Breading the Chicken Tenders
This is where the chicken gets its delicious coating! Take your patted-dry chicken tender strips. First, dip each one into the beaten eggs, swishing it around so it’s coated all over. Don’t let any dry spots show! Then, lift it out, let any excess egg drip off for just a second, and pop it into your breadcrumb mixture. Press gently on both sides to make sure that yummy coating sticks really well. You want every last bit of chicken to be covered!
Baking for Crispy Perfection
Now, arrange those beautifully breaded chicken tenders on your prepared baking sheet. Make sure they have a little breathing room and aren’t all piled on top of each other – that’s super important for crispiness! Drizzle that olive oil evenly over the top of all the tenders. Pop them into your preheated oven and bake for about 18-20 minutes. About halfway through, around the 10-minute mark, carefully flip them over. This ensures both sides get golden brown and wonderfully crispy. You’ll know they’re done when the chicken is cooked through and the coating is a gorgeous golden brown. If you’re looking for them to be extra crispy, you could even give them an extra minute or two, but keep an eye on them!
Tips for Extra Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
Okay, so you’ve followed the steps, and that’s awesome! But if you’re like me and *really* want that ultimate, shatteringly crispy texture on your baked chicken tenders, I’ve got a few more secrets up my sleeve. First off, panko breadcrumbs are non-negotiable! They’re like little airy pockets that just get *so* delightfully crunchy in the oven. Don’t crowd your baking sheet, either – seriously, give those tenders some space to breathe and crisp up. I’ve learned that the hard way! If you’re feeling extra ambitious, you could even try a double dip: egg, then crumbs, then egg again, then crumbs. It sounds like a lot, but oh boy, is it worth it for that thick, crispy coating. It reminds me a bit of how I make sure my cornbread has that perfect crust because you don’t mess with the basics!
Serving Suggestions for Your Crispy Chicken Tenders
Now that you’ve got these incredible, crispy baked chicken tenders, what do you serve them with? The possibilities are endless! Of course, you can’t go wrong with the classics: ketchup, honey mustard, or ranch are always huge hits. But if you’re feeling a little adventurous, you *have* to try them with a bright and zesty chimichurri sauce – it’s surprisingly amazing! And for something totally decadent, dip them into a creamy Alfredo sauce. So good! For sides, I love a simple salad or some homemade fries, of course.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Let’s chat about the ingredients for these amazing tenders, because a few little things make a big difference! The panko breadcrumbs? They’re my secret weapon for that incredible crunch. They’re lighter and airier than regular breadcrumbs, so they get super crispy when they bake. If you absolutely can’t find panko, regular breadcrumbs will work in a pinch, but they might not be quite as crunchy. For the Parmesan cheese, fresh is always best, but the pre-grated stuff is fine too! And about the chicken, you can totally swap the breasts for thighs if you like, just trim off any excess fat. The olive oil is just to help things crisp up and brown nicely, but melted butter works like a charm too!
Frequently Asked Questions about Baked Chicken Tenders
Got questions about these amazing crispy chicken tenders? I get it! Here are some common ones I hear:
Can I make these ahead of time?
You sure can! You can prep and bread them all ready to go, then store them in the fridge on a parchment-lined tray for up to 24 hours before baking. Just bake them straight from the fridge, maybe adding a couple of extra minutes.
How do I reheat crispy baked chicken tenders?
The microwave is a big no-no if you want crispiness! I highly recommend popping them back in a hot oven (around 375°F or 190°C) for about 5-10 minutes, or even better, in an air fryer until they’re hot and crisp again. Nobody likes a soggy chicken tender!
Are there gluten-free options for this recipe?
Absolutely! You can easily swap out the panko breadcrumbs for a gluten-free variety or even use crushed gluten-free cornflakes or rice cereal. Just make sure everything else stays the same, and you’ll have delicious gluten-free crispy chicken tenders!
Nutritional Information
Just a heads-up, the nutrition details for these yummy baked chicken tenders are estimates! They can totally change depending on exact ingredient amounts and brands. But as a rough guide, one serving (about 4 oz) typically has around 350 calories, 18g of fat, and a fantastic 28g of protein. So, you’re getting a good bang for your buck nutritionally!
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Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy and delicious baked chicken tenders with a crispy coating.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a shallow dish, combine panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each chicken tender strip into the beaten eggs, ensuring it’s fully coated.
- Dredge the egg-coated chicken strips in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Place the coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet.
- Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the chicken tenders.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden brown and crispy. Flip halfway through baking for even crispiness.
Notes
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauces like ketchup, honey mustard, or ranch.
- For extra crispy tenders, you can toast the breadcrumb mixture lightly before coating the chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: baked chicken tenders, crispy chicken, chicken strips, healthy chicken, easy chicken recipe, panko chicken