Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders
These oven-baked chicken tenders are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and ready in just 25 minutes.
- Prep15 min
- Cook10 min
- Total25 min
- DifficultyEasy
- Servings4
Craving that nostalgic chicken tender experience without the deep fryer? This recipe delivers golden, crunchy tenders using a simple breadcrumb coating and a hot oven. It's a quick, family-friendly dinner that comes together with minimal fuss.
The secret lies in a flavorful egg and mustard dip, which helps the seasoned breadcrumbs cling to each tender. A quick spritz of cooking spray before baking adds extra crispness, making these tenders irresistible for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Servings
Converted amounts are rounded.
Method
- Preheat your oven to 400°F. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the egg substitute (or egg), mustard, and minced garlic. In another shallow bowl, mix the bread crumbs, basil, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off. Then coat it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the crumbs adhere evenly on all sides.
- Place the breaded tenders on a baking sheet lightly coated with cooking spray. For extra crunch, give each tender a quick spray of cooking spray on both sides before baking.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until the coating is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through (no longer pink, internal temperature 165°F). If one side browns too quickly, flip the tenders gently halfway through baking.
💡 Tips
- For extra crispiness, spray the breaded tenders with cooking spray before baking.
- If you don't have egg substitute, use one large beaten egg.
- Flip the tenders halfway through baking if they are browning unevenly.
Inspired by a recipe from Taste of Home