Description
This Baked Chicken Tenders recipe offers a healthier alternative to fried chicken by using oven-baked panko-coated chicken tenders seasoned with a blend of spices. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, these tenders are perfect for a quick family dinner or a tasty snack served with your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Chicken
- 1 ½ lbs chicken tenders
- Salt and pepper, for seasoning
Wet Ingredients
- 2 eggs
Other
- Cooking spray
- Dipping sauce of choice
Instructions
- Toast the Panko: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Spread the panko breadcrumbs evenly on a parchment-lined large baking sheet and bake for 2-3 minutes. Stir the panko and bake for an additional 2-3 minutes until golden brown, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Mix the Breadcrumbs: Remove toasted panko from the oven and transfer to a small bowl. Stir in dried parsley, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder until combined. Increase oven temperature to 425°F. Place an oven-safe wire rack over the baking sheet and set aside.
- Prepare the Egg Wash: In a medium bowl, lightly beat the eggs to combine.
- Season the Chicken: Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken tender into the beaten eggs, allowing excess to drip off. Press the chicken into the seasoned panko mixture until fully coated. Place the coated tenders on the parchment-lined baking sheet with the wire rack. Repeat with all tenders.
- Bake: Lightly spray the coated tenders with cooking spray for extra crispiness, if desired. Bake at 425°F for 15-20 minutes until they are golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Serve: Remove the chicken tenders from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm with your preferred dipping sauce.
Notes
- To ensure crispy tenders, do not skip the step of toasting the panko breadcrumbs before coating.
- Using a wire rack allows heat to circulate and helps the chicken tenders cook evenly and get crispy on all sides.
- Cooking spray adds extra crispiness without adding much fat; you can also brush a light layer of oil if preferred.
- Make sure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure it is fully cooked.
- Customize the seasoning in the breadcrumb mix to suit your taste, such as adding cayenne for heat or parmesan for extra flavor.
