Description
Oven Baked Chicken Tenders are a quick, healthy, and family-friendly alternative to fried chicken tenders. These tenders are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, made with simple pantry staples and baked to perfection. Perfect for a busy weeknight or casual gathering, they deliver all the flavor and crunch without the extra oil of frying.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb fresh chicken tenders
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs for gluten-free option)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Olive oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or use a lightly greased wire rack to allow even heat circulation.
- Set Up Breading Stations: In one bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth. In a separate shallow dish, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper thoroughly.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated, then press into the breadcrumb mixture, coating all sides evenly to achieve maximum crunch.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the breaded tenders on the prepared baking sheet or wire rack spaced apart to prevent steaming and keep the coating crispy.
- Lightly Spray and Bake: Lightly spray the tenders with olive oil to promote golden browning. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the crust is crispy.
Notes
- Use a wire rack to allow heat circulation for an even crispier coating on all sides.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet; leave space between tenders to prevent sogginess from trapped steam.
- Pat dry the chicken tenders before coating to help the breading stick better.
- For extra crunch, double dip the chicken tenders by repeating the egg and breadcrumb coating step.
- Season the breadcrumb mixture to taste before coating to perfectly balance the flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 oz (about 3 tenders)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: oven baked chicken tenders, healthy chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, gluten-free chicken, easy chicken recipe, family-friendly chicken