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Breaded Chicken Tenders Recipe – Easy Crispy Homemade Dinner

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These breaded chicken tenders are oven-baked or air-fried for a crispy, golden coating and juicy interior—perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings. Made with simple pantry staples, they’re a healthier, homemade alternative to frozen or deep-fried tenders.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 lbs (680g) chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch strips
  • 1/2 cup (60g) all-purpose flour (or 1:1 gluten-free flour blend)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup (100g) bread crumbs (classic, Italian-style, or panko)
  • 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1 tsp (5g) salt, divided
  • 1/2 tsp (2g) black pepper, divided
  • 1/2 tsp (2g) garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp (2g) paprika (smoked or regular)
  • 1/2 tsp (1g) dried Italian herbs (optional, or oregano/parsley)
  • Cooking oil spray or olive oil (as needed)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C), or set your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set a wire rack on top if you have one.
  2. Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels.
  3. Set up three shallow bowls: In the first, mix flour with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. In the second, beat eggs until frothy. In the third, combine bread crumbs, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, Italian herbs, and remaining salt and pepper.
  4. Dredge each chicken tender in the flour, shaking off excess. Dip into the beaten eggs, then press into the breadcrumb mixture to coat thoroughly.
  5. Arrange breaded tenders in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet or air fryer basket.
  6. Lightly spray or brush each tender with cooking oil or olive oil.
  7. Bake in the oven for 12-15 minutes, flip, then bake another 5-7 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). For air fryer, cook at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping or shaking halfway through.
  8. Optional: For extra crunch, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end, watching closely.
  9. Let tenders rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Notes

For gluten-free, use GF flour and breadcrumbs. For dairy-free, omit Parmesan. Don’t skip patting the chicken dry or the oil spray for best crispiness. Letting tenders rest after baking helps the coating set. For extra crunch, use panko or homemade bread crumbs. Leftovers reheat best in the oven or air fryer.

Nutrition

Keywords: breaded chicken tenders, crispy chicken tenders, oven baked chicken tenders, air fryer chicken tenders, homemade chicken tenders, easy chicken dinner, kid friendly chicken, healthy chicken tenders

Find it online: https://tempotaste.com/breaded-chicken-tenders-recipe-easy-crispy-homemade-dinner/