Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders (Printable Version)

Golden, crunchy chicken tenders baked for extra crispiness—juicy inside and perfect for family meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips

→ Breading

02 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
03 - 1 cup cornflakes, crushed
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Dredging

08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 2 tablespoons milk

→ For the Pan

10 - Olive oil spray or 2 tablespoons olive oil

# How-To Steps:

01 - Set oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease with oil.
02 - In a shallow bowl, mix panko breadcrumbs, crushed cornflakes, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper until evenly blended.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs and milk until smooth.
04 - Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
05 - Dip each chicken strip into the egg mixture, then press into breadcrumb mixture, ensuring a complete and even coating.
06 - Place breaded chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray or drizzle with olive oil to promote crispiness.
07 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping once halfway, until coating is golden and an internal temperature of 165°F is reached.
08 - Let chicken rest for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Quick to prep and bake in under forty minutes
  • Baked not fried so it is lighter but still so crispy
  • Kid-friendly and endlessly dippable
  • Minimal clean-up with basic pantry staples
02 -
  • High protein and filling for growing families
  • Freezes beautifully for busy nights ahead
  • Less mess than stovetop frying
03 -
  • Allowing the chicken strips to fully dry before breading guarantees a crisper crust
  • Always preheat your oven completely so the tenders start cooking with immediate heat that traps in moisture
  • Press the breading onto each strip for an extra thick crunchy layer instead of just rolling them through the crumbs
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