Homemade Chicken Tenders

Made with a crispy breading and baked until golden, this easy recipe for Homemade Chicken Tenders produces a healthier, yet just as delicious, version of deep-fried chicken strips.

Make the ultimate kid-friendly dinner by serving these Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders with a side of Homemade Baked Fries, and a side of ranch dressing or ketchup for dipping.

Every kid, and most adults, loves chicken strips. The contrast between the salty crispy exterior to juicy, tender chicken is simply irresistible.

And while delicious, most chicken strips, whether ordered out or baked from frozen, are often high in fat and calories, which may make many of us think twice before consuming them on a daily basis. 

Thankfully, you can easily make crispy breaded chicken tenders at home that are healthy enough to be enjoyed with abandoned any night of the week!

Ingredients Needed

• Chicken Tenders: You can purchase chicken tenderloins for this recipe, or use boneless, skinless chicken breasts that have been cut into 1-inch strips. If using tenders, be sure to clean off all fat and tendons from the chicken strips.
• Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs, not regular breadcrumbs, are best for creating the crispiest of textures. Be sure to use unseasoned panko breadcrumbs to control the seasoning yourself.
• Flour: A bit of flour will help the breading to stick evenly to the chicken. Use all-purpose, whole wheat, or even a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.
• Eggs: The eggs will help to bind the breadcrumbs to the chicken tenders.
• Seasoning: It is crucial to season every layer of the breading on these chicken strips. Instead of using salt and pepper, I recommend using storebought or homemade seasoned salt as it adds more flavor to the chicken.

How to Make Homemade Chicken Tenders

• Trim Chicken. Prepare the chicken tenders, by trimming off the tendon or any fat from the chicken. If using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, slice the breast into 1-inch strips.
• Prepare Breading for Chicken Tenders. Set out three shallow bowls or dishes. In the first dish, combine flour with seasoned salt. In the second dish, whisk the eggs with a bit of seasoned salt. In the final dish, combine the panko bread crumbs with a bit of seasoned salt. As stated before, we want to season every layer so that our chicken strips are perfectly seasoned. 
• Bread the Chicken Tenders. Working one at a time, place each chicken tender into the flour mixture, flipping to coat evenly, and then shake off excess flour. Place the floured chicken strip into the egg wash and coat both sides, being sure to shake off excess egg wash before placing the chicken tender into the breadcrumb mixture. Evenly coat the chicken tender in the breadcrumb mixture, using your hands to help the breadcrumbs to adhere to the chicken.

• Arrange on the Baking Sheet. Once breaded, place the chicken tenders onto a greased baking rack over a rimmed baking sheet.

• Spray the breaded chicken tenders with a bit of cooking spray. This will help them to develop a golden exterior and get nice and crispy.
• Bake. Bake the chicken tenders until they are golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. There is NO NEED to flip your chicken strips halfway through baking. Because we are cooking the chicken on a rack, the air is able to evenly circulate around the chicken, crisping it up evenly.

Serving Suggestions

These crispy chicken strips can be served plain, or as most kids prefer, with a dipping sauce. I love pairing these homemade chicken tenders with a side of ketchup, Homemade Ranch, BBQ Sauce, honey mustard, or Sweet Chili Sauce and a side of baked fries and a fruit salad, for a kid-friendly meal everyone will rave about.

However, don't just limit these baked chicken tenders for dipping! They are delicious when cut up and served on a salad or served whole on a homemade biscuit or bun with coleslaw for a tasty crispy chicken sandwich.

Storage & Reheating

Leftover Chicken Tenders will keep for 3 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container To reheat, place them on a baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees F for 5-6 minutes. This will keep the breading crispy. If you try to reheat the chicken tenders in the microwave, the breading will become soggy.

How to Freeze Homemade Chicken Tenders

Instead of stocking your freezer with pre-made chicken nuggets or chicken strips, freeze a batch of these homemade chicken tenders for a fast, wholesome meal.

• Place baked, cooled chicken strips on an oven sheet lined with wax or parchment paper and place them into the freezer until frozen solid. This will take an hour or two and helps to keep them from sticking together.
• Once frozen solid, transfer to a freezer-safe bag and store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• To Prepare Chicken Tenders from frozen, place frozen chicken tenders onto a baking rack over a rimmed cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 18-22 minutes or until warmed through.

Recipe Modifications

• Air-Fryer Instructions: Use my recipe for Air Fryer Chicken Tenders.
• Make Healthier: Use whole wheat flour and whole wheat panko bread crumbs in place of all-purpose flour and regular panko breadcrumbs for a serving of whole grains.
• Gluten-Free Chicken Tenders: Use an all-purpose gluten-free 1:1 flour blend and gluten-free panko breadcrumbs in place of the all-purpose flour and breadcrumbs. 
• Egg-Free Option: If you happen to have an egg allergy, dip your chicken strips into flour first, then something moist, like buttermilk or mustard, and finally panko.

• Egg-Free Option: If you happen to have an egg allergy, dip your chicken strips into flour first, then something moist, like buttermilk or mustard, and finally panko.

Step-By-Step Video

If you learn better with step-by-step video instructions, check out my YouTube video for making breaded chicken tenders. I will walk you through the steps, along with sharing my tips for success.

More Kid-Friendly Meals

• Homemade Hamburger Helper
• Ham and Cheese Hot Pockets
• Baked Ravioli Lasagna
• Homemade Fish Sticks
• Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken
• Pizza Meatloaf

I would love it if you tried this recipe for chicken tenders for you to leave a comment and review below. 

This post was originally published in August 2017 but has since been updated in January 2023.