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Homemade Baked Chicken Tenders

If you crave the crunch of fried chicken but want to avoid the mess and grease of hot oil, these Homemade Baked Chicken Tenders are the perfect solution. This recipe delivers incredibly crispy results in just 30 minutes, making it a healthier and easier alternative for a quick family dinner.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 191

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs chicken breast trimmed and cut into 1-inch strips
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs regular or homemade
  • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • Cooking spray

Equipment

  • Baking Sheet
  • Parchment Paper
  • Meat Thermometer

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. In a shallow bowl or pie pan, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika until well combined.
    1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp paprika
  3. In a second shallow dish, beat the two eggs until the yolks and whites are fully integrated.
    2 eggs
  4. In a third bowl, whisk together the regular breadcrumbs and the panko breadcrumbs for the ultimate crunchy texture.
    1 cup breadcrumbs, 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
  5. Take each chicken strip and dip it first into the flour mixture, then into the beaten eggs, and finally into the breadcrumb mixture. Be sure to shake off any excess at each stage before placing the chicken on the prepared baking sheet.
    2 lbs chicken breast
  6. Once all the strips are on the pan, spray them lightly with cooking spray to help the exterior turn golden and crispy.
    Cooking spray
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes. The chicken is done when the coating is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 160-165 degrees F.
  8. Allow the chicken to rest for about five minutes before serving to ensure the juices redistribute.

Notes

To ensure your Homemade Baked Chicken Tenders come out perfectly every time, pat each piece of chicken dry with a fresh paper towel before breading to prevent sogginess. Always maintain a high oven temperature of 400 degrees F and leave space between pieces on the baking sheet for maximum crispiness.
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