Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders (Printable)

Golden, crunchy strips are baked for juicy tenderness inside and crisp outside, perfect for family dinners.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into strips

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
03 - 1 cup cornflakes, finely crushed
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Dredging

08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 2 tablespoons milk

→ For the Pan

10 - Olive oil spray or 2 tablespoons olive oil

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or apply a light coat of nonstick spray.
02 - In a shallow bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly incorporated.
03 - In a separate bowl, thoroughly whisk the eggs together with the milk.
04 - Pat chicken strips dry with paper towels to ensure optimal breading adherence.
05 - Dip each chicken strip into the egg mixture, then coat fully with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the breading adheres.
06 - Place breaded chicken strips on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Lightly spray or drizzle with olive oil to encourage crispness.
07 - Transfer to the oven and bake for 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
08 - Allow chicken to rest for 2–3 minutes before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Uses simple pantry items for the coating and dredging
  • Bakes up fast for easy weeknight dinners
  • Satisfies cravings for crispy fried food without deep frying
  • Perfectly kidfriendly and great for sharing
02 -
  • High in protein and lower in fat than fried chicken
  • Excellent for meal prepping and freezing
  • Loved by picky eaters and easy to customize with spices
03 -
  • Do not rush the drying step with the chicken thoroughly drying ensures the breading sticks and crisps
  • Make sure your oven is fully preheated for maximum crunch on the outside I learned the hard way that overcrowding the pan causes soggy sides so always give the tenders their space on the baking sheet For parties serve with a trio of sauces and let everyone mix and match their dipping styles
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