Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders (Printable)

Baked chicken tenders with crispy breading and juicy inside, perfect for easy family dinners.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

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

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
03 - 1 cup cornflakes, 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 lightly grease with olive oil.
02 - In a shallow bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and milk until fully blended.
04 - Pat chicken strips completely dry with paper towels.
05 - Dip each chicken strip into the egg mixture, then thoroughly coat with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
06 - Place coated chicken strips on prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray or drizzle with olive oil for extra crispiness.
07 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
08 - Allow chicken to rest 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Uses pantry staples you probably have on hand already
  • Ready to eat in just 35 minutes start to finish
  • Oven-baking makes them lighter but just as crunchy as fried
  • Loved by picky eaters and adults alike
  • Easy to double for gatherings or meal prep
02 -
  • High in protein for sustained energy
  • A lighter alternative to deep-fried tenders
  • Stays crispy even after cooling thanks to panko and cornflakes
  • Perfect for prepping ahead and finishing right before dinner
03 -
  • Space out the chicken on the baking tray for maximum crispiness
  • Do not skip patting the chicken dry the coating needs a dry surface to stick
  • If you want more color and crunch give a second light spray of oil halfway through baking
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