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Golden-brown crispy chicken tenders, perfectly fried to a juicy finish.

How to grow your chicken tenders: 5 easy recipes

This recipe provides five easy methods to prepare delicious chicken tenders, perfect for any meal or snack. Learn how to bread, fry, bake, and season chicken tenders to perfection.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Basic Chicken Tenders
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1.5 cups Panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 2 cups vegetable oil for frying
Honey Mustard Sauce
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
Spicy Sriracha Mayo
  • 0.5 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp sriracha sauce

Equipment

  • skillet
  • baking sheet
  • air fryer
  • grill
  • mixing bowls
  • whisk

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Pat dry chicken tenderloins with paper towels and season them with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
  2. Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with Panko breadcrumbs.
Cooking Methods
  1. For pan-frying, heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then fry chicken until golden and cooked through.
  2. For baking, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), place breaded chicken on a baking sheet, and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and cooked.
  3. For air-frying, preheat an air fryer to 375°F (190°C), arrange chicken in a single layer, and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway.
  4. For grilled tenders, marinate chicken in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs for 30 minutes, then grill over medium heat for 3-4 minutes per side.
  5. For crispy baked tenders without breading, season chicken with smoked paprika, onion powder, and cayenne, then bake as described for regular baked tenders.
Sauces (Optional)
  1. Whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, and apple cider vinegar to make honey mustard sauce.
  2. Combine mayonnaise and sriracha sauce for a spicy sriracha mayo.

Notes

For extra crispy tenders, double dip them in the egg and breadcrumb mixture. Adjust seasoning and spice levels to your preference. Serve with your favorite dipping sauces, such as honey mustard, BBQ, or ranch. These tenders are great for meal prep; store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days in the refrigerator and reheat in an oven or air fryer for best results.