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+ servings
A stack of golden brown, crispy baked chicken tenders sprinkled with coarse salt on a white plate.

Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders

This recipe provides instructions for making chicken tenders that are crispy when baked, avoiding the need for deep frying.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Lunch
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch strips
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil spray

Equipment

  • Baking sheet
  • Wire rack
  • Three shallow bowls

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top of it.
  2. Set up three shallow bowls for the breading station. Place the flour in the first bowl.
  3. Place the beaten egg in the second bowl.
  4. In the third bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
  5. Take one chicken strip and dredge it lightly in the flour, shaking off any excess.
  6. Dip the floured chicken strip into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off.
  7. Press the chicken strip firmly into the breadcrumb mixture until it is fully coated on all sides.
  8. Place the coated tender on the prepared wire rack.
  9. Repeat this process for all the chicken strips.
  10. Spray the tops of the coated tenders lightly with olive oil spray.
  11. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway through the cooking time, until they are golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit).
  12. Serve immediately with your preferred dipping sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 300kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 35gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 1.5gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 450mgPotassium: 400mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 100IUCalcium: 20mgIron: 1.5mg

Notes

For extra crispiness, you can lightly spray the bottom of the tenders with oil spray before placing them on the rack.

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