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Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Tenders Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 84 reviews
  • Author: Sophie
  • Total Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This recipe for Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Tenders delivers perfectly golden and crunchy chicken using a simple breading process and oven baking. Coated with a flavorful batter and toasted panko breadcrumbs, these tenders are light, crispy, and ideal for a healthier alternative to fried chicken. They cook quickly in the oven, ensuring juicy and tender chicken every time.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Coating:

  • 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • Oil spray
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 1/2 tbsp dijon mustard (or other mustard)
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • Black pepper, to taste

For the Chicken:

  • 500 g / 1 lb chicken tenderloins (or breast cut into 2/3″ / 1.5cm thick slices, lengthwise)
  • Oil spray, for baking

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 200°C/390°F (180° fan-forced) to prepare for baking the chicken tenders.
  2. Toast Panko: Spread the panko breadcrumbs evenly on a baking tray. Spray lightly with oil vertically to prevent blowing the breadcrumbs away, then bake for 3 to 5 minutes until they turn a light golden color. Remove from oven and transfer to a bowl.
  3. Prepare Baking Tray: Place a cooling rack on a baking tray; this step is optional but helps the chicken bake more evenly by allowing air circulation around each piece.
  4. Make the Batter: In a bowl, whisk together the egg, mayonnaise, dijon mustard, flour, salt, and a pinch of black pepper until fully combined. This mixture will serve as the adhesive batter for the chicken.
  5. Coat Chicken in Batter: Add the chicken tenderloins into the batter and toss thoroughly so each piece is completely coated.
  6. Crumb the Chicken: Using tongs, pick up each coated chicken piece and dip it into the toasted panko breadcrumbs. Sprinkle additional breadcrumbs over the surface and press gently to ensure the coating adheres well.
  7. Arrange for Baking: Transfer the crumbed chicken tenders onto the prepared rack-lined baking tray. Repeat this process for all tenders.
  8. Spray and Bake: Lightly spray the top of the chicken tenders with oil and, if desired, sprinkle with a touch of salt. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes for medium-sized pieces or up to 20 minutes for larger pieces. Avoid baking longer than 20 minutes to keep the chicken moist.
  9. Serve: Remove the chicken tenders from the oven and serve immediately. Pair with a sauce of your choice, such as honey mustard, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

  • For even better flavor, consider adding garlic powder or paprika to the panko before toasting.
  • Honey mustard sauce makes an excellent accompaniment, but ranch, barbecue, or spicy mayo are great alternatives.
  • You can substitute the dijon mustard with any mustard you prefer for a different flavor profile.
  • Ensure not to overcrowd the baking tray to allow even cooking and crisping of each tender.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Crispy chicken tenders, oven baked chicken, panko chicken, healthy chicken tenders, baked chicken recipe

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Find it online: https://cookwithsophie.com/crispy-oven-baked-chicken-tenders-recipe/