Make the best Oven Baked Chicken Tenders in just 25 minutes. Made with pantry staple ingredients they're healthier than fried, and done without oil & dairy products. Ready to dip in your favorite sauce - or just finish them all straight from the oven, they're THAT good!
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Give me any type of fried-style chicken, and I will love you forever. Be it chicken wings, drumsticks or KFC - fried chicken is where my heart is at. So, of course, I had to come up with a great way to make chicken tenders in the oven...
And these oven baked chicken tenders - they are truly the best! I haven't had any like them. So simple, so subtly seasoned, and so, so, good.
Why you will love this recipe
- They're the best ones I've ever had. Better than McDonald's, better than Burger King, better than any sports bar I've ever been at. They're just the best.
- Healthier since you bake the chicken tenders in the oven (without oil!) instead of frying them
- Quick - on the table in 25 minutes!
- Full of flavor despite the simple seasoning
- Common ingredients that you probably already have at home
What you need to make them
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Chicken: chicken tenders are really a specific cut of the chicken, but I slice up chicken thigh filets instead for a similar look & feel. You can also use slices of chicken breasts, but chicken thigh filets have more taste.
- Breadcrumbs: I prefer the regular, smaller, kind of breadcrumbs for this recipe, but you can use Panko breadcrumbs as well
- You can add Parmesan cheese as well - just follow this recipe for parmesan crusted chicken instead
How to make them
- Preheat your oven to 440°F (225°C) and slice each thigh filet into 3-4 slices
- Place the flour on a plate and season with salt and pepper
- Mix well to combine
- In a shallow bowl, crack the eggs and beat them with a fork
- On a third plate, pour out the breadcrumbs
- Bread the chicken by first dipping it in the flour, making sure it's well covered on all sides
- Then dip it in the egg, again making sure it's well covered
- Finally, roll it in the breadcrumbs and make sure they cover the whole surface of the chicken
- Place the breaded chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Bake in the middle of the oven for 15 minutes, turning them once halfway. Check to make sure they're cooked all the way through - and serve!
Tips & tricks
- Switch up the seasoning by adding other spices and/or herbs to the flour
- Use plastic gloves* when breading your chicken to avoid getting messy
- Use a kitchen thermometer* for best results- the internal temperature of the chicken should be 165°F (72°C)
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 4 days
- Freeze leftovers to keep them for up to 3 months
Recipe FAQ
Chicken tenders (or chicken tenderloins) are a narrow strip of meat that's loosely attached to the underside of the chicken breasts. They're juicy and tender, and taste like the chicken breast.
For this recipe, we use sliced chicken thigh filets instead.
Yes, you can make it with Panko breadcrumbs as well - but I like them better with regular breadcrumbs.
Oven: 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes, turning them once halfway
Microwave: in 30 second increments
Air fryer: 350°F (180°C) for 4 minutes, turning them once halfway
How to serve them
These Oven Baked Chicken Tenders are so versatile! Here are just a few of my favorite ways to serve them:
- In tacos
- In wraps
- With my favorite dipping sauces: barbecue sauce, blue cheese sauce and guacamole are all great choices
- In salads
- As en easy dinner with the side of your choice (caulislaw, potato wedges and mac and cheese are all great options)
- Headlining as the chicken in Chicken and Waffles
- With French Fries for pure indulgence
- Just as they are, straight from the oven. They're THAT good!
Did you love this recipe? Rate it five stars!
...and let me know what you loved about it in the comments.
Recipe
Oven Baked Chicken Tenders
Print RateIngredients
- 1 lb chicken thigh filets
- 3 tablespoon flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven for 440°F (225°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut each chicken thigh filet into 3-4 pieces.1 lb chicken thigh filets
- Pour the flour onto a small plate and season with salt and pepper. Mix well.3 tablespoon flour, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- Crack the eggs into a shallow bowl and beat with a fork.2 eggs
- Pour the breadcrumbs onto a small plate.1 cup breadcrumbs
- Bread the chicken by turning the pieces first in the seasoned flour, then the egg and finally the breadcrumbs. At each step, make sure the chicken gets completely covered. Then place the pieces on the lined baking sheet.
- When all chicken tenders are breaded, place the oven tray in the middle of the oven and bake for 15 minutes at 440°F (225°C). Turn them once halfway.
- After 15 minutes, take them out and check to make sure they are done. Serve immediately!
Equipment (may contain affiliate links)
- Measuring cups (metric or US)*
- 2 plates
- 1 shallow bowl
Video
Notes
Ingredient notes & substitutions
- Chicken: chicken tenders are really a specific cut of the chicken, but I slice up chicken thigh filets instead for a similar look & feel. You can also use slices of chicken breasts, but chicken thigh filets have more taste.
- Breadcrumbs: I prefer the regular, smaller, kind of breadcrumbs for this recipe, but you can use Panko breadcrumbs as well
Tips & tricks
- Switch up the seasoning by adding other spices and/or herbs to the flour
- Use plastic gloves* when breading your chicken to avoid getting messy
- Use a kitchen thermometer* for best results- the internal temperature of the chicken should be 165°F (72°C)
- Store leftovers in the fridge in an air tight container for up to 4 days
- Freeze leftovers to keep them for up to 3 months
- Reheat leftovers:
- Oven: 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes, turning them once halfway
- Microwave: in 30 second increments
- Air fryer: 350°F (180°C) for 4 minutes, turning them once halfway
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
Toni
This is perfect! My kids really loved enjoyed them!
Emmeline Kemperyd
So happy to hear that Toni!
Beth Pierce
Love how quick and easy this recipe was! It has quickly become a favorite recipe in our home!
Emmeline Kemperyd
So happy you liked it! Thanks for commenting!
debi at Life Currents
These will be great for weeknight dinners. Thanks for the recipe. And I love that they aren't fried!
Jacqueline Debono
These chicken tenders look delicious. Love that they are oven baked and pretty easy to make too! Good for party finger food!
Courtney | Love & Good Stuff
I love how easy these are to make at home - and so much healthier than any frozen version.
Cheese Curd In Paradise
My kiddos love chicken tenders and I am forever looking for good options that do not involve the drive thru! I can't wait to give this recipe a try!
Emmeline
Happy you liked it! 😀
Jo
I love baked chicken tenders. I have a recipe for baked tenders on my blog, and I can't wait to try your version. Looks perfect.
Emmeline
Oh will check it out!