Here’s a crispy, juicy chicken tenders recipe that works in the oven, air fryer, or skillet
Ingredients
- 500g (1 lb) chicken tenders
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1–2 cups panko breadcrumbs (for extra crispiness)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
- ½ tsp garlic powder (optional)
- Cooking oil or spray
Instructions
1. Prep
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F) or air fryer to 200°C (400°F)
- Pat chicken dry
2. Breading
- Set up a dredging station:
- Flour + salt & pepper
- Beaten eggs
- Panko breadcrumbs + optional spices
- Coat each chicken tender: flour → egg → breadcrumbs
3. Cook
Oven:
- Place tenders on a greased baking sheet
- Spray lightly with oil
- Bake 15–20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and cooked through
Air Fryer:
- Arrange tenders in a single layer in the basket
- Cook 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway
Skillet:
- Heat 2–3 tbsp oil over medium-high
- Fry tenders 3–4 minutes per side until golden
4. Serve
- With dipping sauces: honey mustard, BBQ, ranch, buffalo sauce
- Side ideas: fries, salad, or roasted veggies
Pro Tips
- Pat chicken dry for extra crunch
- Don’t overcrowd the pan or basket
- For extra flavor, season breadcrumbs with Parmesan, paprika, or dried herbs
- Let baked tenders rest 2–3 minutes before serving
Variations
- Spicy: Add cayenne or chili powder to breadcrumbs
- Cheesy: Mix shredded Parmesan into the breadcrumbs
- Gluten-free: Use almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs
- Oven-baked “nuggets”: Cut tenders into bite-sized pieces