Amazing Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders

Oh, chicken tenders! Who doesn’t love them? I swear, I could eat a basket of these golden beauties every week and never get tired of them. But let’s be real, the fried versions can feel like a bit of a guilty pleasure, right? That’s why I’m SO excited to share my recipe for Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders. Seriously, you get all that satisfying crunch and deliciousness without the deep-frying mess. It’s my go-to for a quick weeknight dinner that even the pickiest eaters in my house devour. Trust me, you won’t miss the fryer one bit!

Why You’ll Love These Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders

Get ready to fall in love with these chicken tenders! They’re:

• So incredibly easy! Seriously, you’ll be amazed at how simple they are to whip up, even on busy nights.
• Way healthier! We’re skipping the fryer and baking our way to crispy perfection, which means less oil and way more goodness.
• That CRUNCH! I’m talking super crispy coating that’s just unbelievably satisfying. You won’t believe they came out of the oven.
• So versatile! Perfect for a quick dinner, lunchbox snack, or even party appetizers. Dip ’em in anything!

Ingredients for Perfect Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders

Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make these amazing tenders. It’s pretty straightforward, and honestly, most of these things are pantry staples!

• About 1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into nice, bite-sized strips. Think roughly 1-inch wide – not too thin, not too thick!
• A generous 1 cup of panko breadcrumbs. This is key for that super crunchy coating, trust me!
• A good bit of 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Don’t skip this; it adds so much flavor and helps make the coating golden.
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder for that savory punch.
• And just a touch of 1/2 teaspoon of paprika. It adds a little color and a subtle warmth.
• A pinch of both 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper to make all those flavors sing.
• You’ll need 2 big eggs, all lightly beaten in a shallow bowl. This is our glue!
• And finally, about 2 tablespoons of olive oil. This helps everything get nice and golden and crispy in the oven.

Essential Equipment for Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders

To get these crispy tenders just right, you’ll want a few simple things on hand. Nothing fancy here, just your everyday kitchen heroes! You’ll definitely need a good old baking sheet, and trust me, lining it with parchment paper makes cleanup a breeze. Oh, and have a couple of shallow dishes or bowls ready – one for the eggs and one for that glorious breadcrumb mixture!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders

Okay, now for the fun part – actually making these beauties! It’s a super simple process, and I promise, it’s easier than you think. Just follow along, and you’ll have golden, crispy tenders in no time. Honestly, the hardest part is waiting for them to finish baking!

Prepping Your Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders

First things first, let’s get that oven hot! Preheat it to a nice, toasty 400°F (200°C). While it’s warming up, grab your baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. This is like my little secret weapon for easy cleanup – no stuck-on bits, yay! Now, take your chicken strips and get them ready. Think about setting up three little stations: one with your beaten eggs, and another with that yummy panko and Parmesan mix we made earlier. It makes the coating process so much smoother!

Coating the Chicken for Maximum Crispiness

This is where the magic happens! Take one chicken tender strip at a time and give it a good dip in the beaten eggs. Make sure it’s totally covered – that egg is what helps all the crunchy goodness stick. Gently shake off any extra egg, then press it into the panko breadcrumb mixture. You want to really coat it well, pressing gently so the crumbs stick all over. Don’t be shy! We want maximum crunch, right? Once it’s coated, place it on your prepared baking sheet. Try to give them a little space so they bake up nice and crispy, not steamed.

Baking Your Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders to Perfection

Now, tuck those beautifully coated tenders onto the baking sheet. Before they go in the oven, I like to give them a little drizzle of olive oil all over. This is another trick for getting that lovely golden-brown, crispy exterior. Pop the baking sheet into your hot oven and let them bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. The key here is to flip them about halfway through baking. This ensures both sides get equally golden and crispy! You’ll know they’re done when the chicken is cooked through and the coating is a deep golden brown and super crunchy. If you want to see a great example of baked chicken you can check out this teriyaki chicken recipe for ideas on baking techniques!

Tips for Extra Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders

Okay, so you’ve followed the steps, and you’ve got some delicious chicken tenders. But if you’re like me and *really* want that ultimate crispiness, I’ve got a few little tricks up my sleeve! First off, don’t skimp on the panko; it’s truly a game-changer for texture compared to regular breadcrumbs. Also, make sure your oven is fully preheated – a hot oven is crucial for crispiness. For an absolute guarantee of a fantastic crust, sometimes I even pop them under the broiler for the last minute or two, BUT you have to watch them like a hawk during that stage because they can go from golden to burnt in a flash! You might also find this parmesan chicken recipe helpful for more crispy coating ideas!

Serving Suggestions for Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders

These crispy chicken tenders are practically begging to be dipped! My absolute favorites are a good ol’ classic ketchup or a zesty honey mustard. For something a little different, ranch is always a winner, or try a sweet chili sauce for a kick. If you’re looking for sides, these are fantastic with some creepy deviled eggs for a fun appetizer, or a big side of mac and cheese. And for a perfectly balanced meal, you can’t go wrong with some healthy roasted veggies like these honey garlic roasted carrots!

Storing and Reheating Your Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders

So, you’ve got some delicious leftovers? Lucky you! To keep these crispy wonders fresh, just pop them into an airtight container or a resealable bag. They’ll be good in the fridge for about 3 to 4 days. Now, reheating is where you want to be a little careful if you’re aiming for that awesome crispiness again. Microwaving them usually makes them a bit soft, which is a bummer. Instead, try popping them back into a hot oven (around 375°F or 190°C) for about 5-8 minutes, or even pop them in an air fryer for a few minutes until they’re heated through and crispy again. That way, they’ll taste almost as good as when they were freshly baked!

Nutritional Information

Just a heads-up, the nutritional info can shift a bit depending on your exact ingredients and how big you cut those gorgeous tenders. But, as a general idea, one serving (about 4 ounces) of these delicious Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders is roughly:

Calories: around 350 Kcal
Protein: about 30g
Fat: approximately 15g
Carbohydrates: around 20g

It’s pretty great how much protein you get without all the frying!

Frequently Asked Questions About Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders

Got a question bubbling up about these golden little guys? I’ve heard ’em all! Let’s dive in and clear things up so you can get to baking.

Can I make these chicken tenders ahead of time?

You totally can prep them ahead, which is a lifesaver! You can coat the chicken tenders and place them on the baking sheet, ready to go, cover them well, and pop them in the fridge for a few hours. Just bake them as usual, maybe for a minute or two longer since they’ll be starting cold. For more fantastic healthy recipe ideas, check out this collection!

What are the best dipping sauces for these tenders?

Oh, the dipping possibilities are endless! My personal faves are classic ketchup or a tangy honey mustard. Ranch is always a winner, and if you like a little heat, a sweet chili sauce or even a sriracha mayo works amazingly well. Basically, anything you love to dip your chicken in will be awesome here!

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, you absolutely can! Chicken thighs tend to be a bit more forgiving and stay super moist. Just keep in mind they might take a little longer to bake through completely than chicken breasts, so keep an eye on them until they’re cooked nice and golden. The coating should still get nice and crispy!

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