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Baked-Chicken-Tenders-Recipe

Baked Chicken Tenders

Baked Chicken Tenders are a delightful and easy meal! With crispy panko breadcrumbs, tender chicken, and a simple dipping sauce, these tenders are perfect for a quick dinner or a healthy snack.

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound chicken tenderloins
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons mayo
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon dijon-style mustard
  • 1–1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1–1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1–1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • Cooking spray
  • 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 2 teaspoons honey bbq sauce

Instructions

  1. Optional Marinade: Pat chicken tenders dry, trim fat, and remove tendons. Place in a container or bag with buttermilk and marinate in the fridge for 20-30 minutes. Discard buttermilk and dry tenders.
  2. In a shallow bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons mayo and the remaining "Chicken Batter" ingredients. In another shallow bowl, combine all "Chicken Breading" ingredients. Coat the tenders in batter and dredge in breading, then spray one side with cooking spray.
  3. For Air Fryer: Preheat to 400°F. Place tenders in a single layer; cook for 5-8 minutes, flip, spray again, and cook another 5-8 minutes until golden and internal temp is 160°F.
  4. For Oven: Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a baking pan with cooking spray. Arrange breaded tenders on the pan. Bake for 10 minutes, flip, spray the other side, and bake for an additional 7-10 minutes until the temp reaches 160°F.
  5. Mix mayo with all "Dipping Sauce" ingredients, adjusting salt and pepper to taste. Whisk until combined.
  6. Serve warm with dipping sauce; cook only what you need for freshness.

Notes

For optimal flavor, marinating in buttermilk is recommended, but it can be skipped for a quicker option.
Tenders are best enjoyed fresh as they may lose crispiness when stored.

  • Author: Sarah
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Main Dishes
  • Method: Baking/Air Frying
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 tender
  • Calories: 330
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 20g
  • Cholesterol: 80mg

Find it online: https://www.donecook.com/baked-chicken-tenders/