Easy Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders are a healthier, easier, and just as delicious alternative to fried chicken tenders. After making this recipe dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to getting that perfect crispy texture in the oven. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy This Southwestern Black Bean Salad and This Homemade Italian Tomato Sauce.
Why This Easy Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders Is Pure Comfort
- Healthier than fried chicken tenders
- Crispy texture without frying
- Easy and quick to make
- Perfect for game day or weeknight dinners
What You'll Need for Easy Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- chicken tenders
- panko breadcrumbs
- parmesan cheese
- egg
- flour
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- salt
- black pepper
- paprika
- Italian seasoning
- Optional: marinara sauce
- Optional: ranch dressing
- Optional: BBQ sauce
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken tenders: You can also use chicken breasts cut into strips.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Panko Breadcrumbs — Key to crispy texture → See on Amazon
- Garlic Powder — Adds flavor without garlic smell → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
- Prepare the chicken: Pat chicken tenders dry with a paper towel. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Dredge in flour, then dip in beaten egg, and coat with panko mixture.
- Bake: Place tenders on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes or until crispy and golden.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
- Tip: For extra crispiness, bake on a wire rack placed over a baking sheet.
- Common mistake and fix: If chicken tenders are not crispy, increase oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- Tip: To keep chicken tenders warm while cooking in batches, place on a wire rack in a 200°F (90°C) oven.
Storing & Reheating Easy Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the chicken tenders up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to bake.
Freezing Easy Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
Freeze cooked chicken tenders for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then crisp in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the panko mixture.
- Best substitution: Use almond flour for a gluten-free version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken tenders up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to bake.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If chicken tenders are not crispy, increase oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
Want to level up this recipe?
Baking Sheet — Perfect for baking chicken tenders and other dishes → Check price on Amazon
Easy Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken tenders
- panko breadcrumbs
- parmesan cheese
- egg
- flour
Seasonings
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- salt
- black pepper
- paprika
- Italian seasoning
Optional Toppings
- marinara sauce
- ranch dressing
- BBQ sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Pat chicken tenders dry with a paper towel. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Dredge in flour, then dip in beaten egg, and coat with panko mixture.
- Bake: Place tenders on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20-25 minutes or until crispy and golden.
Notes
- Chef tip: For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of Italian seasoning to the panko mixture.
- Best substitution: Use almond flour for a gluten-free version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken tenders up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to bake.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If chicken tenders are not crispy, increase oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken tenders for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then crisp in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
- Make ahead: Prepare the chicken tenders up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to bake.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 25g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Cholesterol: 60mg
- Sat. Fat: 2g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders FAQs
Yes, prepare the chicken tenders up to a day ahead. Store in the fridge until ready to bake.
If chicken tenders are not crispy, increase oven temperature to 450°F (230°C) and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
Yes, freeze cooked chicken tenders for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes or in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, then crisp in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes.
Serve with marinara sauce, ranch dressing, or BBQ sauce. You can also pair them with a side of This Southwestern Black Bean Salad or This Homemade Italian Tomato Sauce.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
