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    Home » Recipes » Crunchy Baked Chicken Tenders

    Crunchy Baked Chicken Tenders

    Published: Oct 30, 2014 · Modified: Sep 27, 2021 by Sherri · This post may contain affiliate links · 15 Comments

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    Baked Chicken Tenders are an easy, healthier version to fried chicken tenders. They are so crispy and the added parmesan cheese gives them extra flavor.

    a white plate with several crispy battered chicken tenders

    BAKED CHICKEN TENDERS

    My mother-in-law is infamous for her chicken parmesan in our family.  It’s a tradition that when we come visit she will make it for us to eat the night we arrive.

    It’s funny how kids pick up on the tradition and then kind of expect it / look so forward to it that they start asking the week we are going if we are having Chicken Parm.

    She has been making her chicken cutlets with chicken tenders for years. They turn out so wonderful, crunchy and  juicy! But she does fry them.

    I have been searching for healthier recipe to make fabulous and crunchy chicken tenders and/or chicken cutlets for a really, really long time. Last night I finally made them! And boy were they delicious!

    These chicken tenders are baked and turned out with the crispiness and juiciness of fried.  I will certainly be making these every single time now.

    They will also be perfect to make Chicken Parmesan as well with my favorite homemade marinara sauce!

    BAKED CHICKEN TENDERS INGREDIENTS

    4 cups plain panko breadcrumbs

    ¼ cup coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil

    ¼ cup Parmesan cheese

    4 large eggs

    3 pounds chicken tenders (2 packages)

    ½ cup all-purpose flour

    HOW TO BAKE CHICKEN TENDERS

    Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

    Toss the panko and oil on a baking sheet with a rim.

    Bake for about 5 – 10 minutes, stirring a couple of times, until it is a deep golden brown.  (it only took about 6 minutes to get it like to look like this)

    a baking sheet with toasted panko breadcrumbs

     

    Increase oven temperature to 425 degrees F

    Let the panko cool completely.

    Crush the panko a little by squeezing handfuls. This will help the crumbs stick better to the chicken.

    Add the Parmesan cheese to the panko and mix well.

    Place the flour in a zip lock or grocery bag and add the chicken to it and shake, shake, shake to coat well.

    Whisk eggs in a bowl.

    Dip chicken pieces in the egg, then coat with the panko, pressing to adhere.

    Place the chicken on a wire rack that is placed on a rimmed baking sheet.

    Bake the chicken tenders for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping once, until cooked through.

    ENJOY!!

    crispy chicken tenders on a white plate

    Crunchy Baked Chicken Tenders

    Baked Chicken Tenders are an easy, healthier version to fried chicken tenders. They are so crispy and the added parmesan cheese gives them extra flavor.
    5 from 1 vote
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    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 12 minutes
    Total Time: 27 minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 298kcal
    Author: Sherri Hagymas

    Ingredients

    • 4 cups plain panko breadcrumbs
    • ¼ cup coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil
    • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
    • 4 large eggs
    • 3 pounds chicken tenders 2 small packages
    • ½ cup all-purpose flour or gluten free choice

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
    • Toss the panko and oil on a baking sheet with a rim.
    • Bake for about 5 - 10 minutes, stirring a couple of times, until it is a deep golden brown.
    • Let cool completely. Crush the panko a little by squeezing handfuls. This will help the crumbs stick better to the chicken.
    • Add the Parmesan cheese to the panko and mix well.
    • Place the flour in a zip lock or grocery bag and add the chicken to it and shake, shake, shake to coat well.
    • Whisk eggs in a bowl.
    • Dip chicken pieces in the egg, then coat with the panko, pressing to adhere.
    • Place the chicken on a wire rack that is placed on a rimmed baking sheet.
    • Bake at 425 degrees. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping once, until cooked through.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 298kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 135mg | Sodium: 335mg | Potassium: 487mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 140IU | Vitamin C: 1.3mg | Calcium: 76mg | Iron: 1.9mg

    Nutritional Disclosure

    Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @ToSimplyInspire or tag #ToSimplyInspire!

    Sharing of this recipe to social media is both encouraged and appreciated. Please share the direct link back to the recipe. Copy/Pasting and/or screenshots of the recipe to any social media is strictly prohibited. Content and photographs are copyright protected

     

    Adapted and inspired by Martha Stewart

    Easy Chicken Marsala

    Creamy Chicken Casserole

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    Filed Under: Chicken Recipes, Healthy Recipes, Main Dishes, Recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kyla — HouseOfHipsters.com

      November 12, 2014 at 4:42 pm

      This sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing! Also wanted to let you know about a new linky party starting this Saturday at 8pm called “Found & Foraged” Can’t wait to party with you at http://www.houseofhipsters.com

      Reply
    2. Jann Olson

      November 11, 2014 at 10:30 pm

      Always nice to find a healthier version of things. Looks yummy! Thanks for sharing with Share Your Cup.
      hugs,
      Jann

      Reply
    3. Andrea Fogleman

      November 11, 2014 at 6:46 pm

      I prefer homemade baked chicken tenders over store bought. They’re always tastier. Thanks for sharing and linking up for Scraptastic Saturdays. This post will be shared via FB/Twitter/Pinterest. Have a wonderful day.

      Reply
    4. Miz Helen

      November 11, 2014 at 4:35 pm

      Your Chicken Tenders look awesome! Hope you are staying warm and cozy on this cold day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
      Come Back Soon!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
    5. Christie

      November 11, 2014 at 4:05 pm

      I always toast my panko! It makes every super duper crunchy! I have a hankering for some crispy chicken strips. I think I’ll make some of these this weekend. Thank you for linking up with #FoodieFridays. I hope you can link up again with us link and see if you were featured! – Christie http://akitchenhoor.blogspot.com/

      Reply
    6. jessica

      November 10, 2014 at 6:25 pm

      Hey love, thanks for partying with me this week at Live Randomly Simple! So much great content this week! Hope you make it back this week! Party starts 10pm tonight and runs through Saturday!! Cant wait to see what new goodies you have for us! Pinned to make for dinner!! YAY looks great!
      Have a great week
      Jess
      http://www.liverandomlysimple.com

      Reply
    7. Janell

      November 10, 2014 at 4:55 pm

      I am visiting from the Frugal Friday Link Up Party. These look so much yummier and healthier than the store bought ones. I must try them! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    8. Leslie

      November 08, 2014 at 9:04 am

      These look yummy! I love a good quick dinner. It’s just the boyfriend & I but I like experimenting with food, he’ll eat anything. I’m stopping by from SITS wishing you a happy Saturday!

      Reply
    9. Amanda

      November 07, 2014 at 9:09 pm

      What an interesting way to add extra crunch to chicken tenders! My kids will love these, thank you! 🙂

      Reply
    10. heather @french press

      November 07, 2014 at 8:33 pm

      looks tasty – and a meal I know my kids would love

      Reply
    11. Aimee, The Crazy Craft Lady

      November 07, 2014 at 8:21 am

      I’m definitely going to give these a try… my kiddos love chicken strips and chicken nuggets. Thanks for sharing! Visiting from Pinworthy Projects Link Party.

      Reply
    12. Nicole Neverman

      November 06, 2014 at 11:28 pm

      Loving the look of these chicken tenders! I saw this over on the Wednesday Roundup and I would love to invite you to share this (and anything else you’d like!) over on the Pure Blog Love link party at http://picnicnz.blogspot.com/

      Reply
    13. Shannon

      November 04, 2014 at 10:25 pm

      For sure giving these a try. Sounds like the perfect thing for a easy weeknight meal! Toddlers + Chicken fingers are always a win right?? Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    14. Rebekah @ Making Miracles

      November 04, 2014 at 7:41 am

      Oh those look like the PERFECT chicken tenders – my family would really enjoy those, I am sure!

      Reply
    15. Michelle @ Hey Love Designs

      November 04, 2014 at 7:36 am

      I have a weak spot for chicken tenders. I feel like a kid who has never grown up, so this post tugs at my heart strings… and my belly, haha! Thanks for sharing this recipe. I found you through the Caffeinated Crafters link up!

      Reply

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