Have you ever craved restaurant-quality chicken tenders but wanted to avoid the greasy fast-food version? Making chicken tenders recipes at home gives you complete control over ingredients, portion sizes, and cooking methods—ensuring a healthier, tastier meal every single time. Whether you're cooking for picky eaters, meal prepping for the week, or simply treating yourself to comfort food done right, homemade crispy chicken tenders deliver unbeatable flavor and that satisfying crunch we all love. This step-by-step guide will walk you through creating tender, juicy chicken strips with a perfectly golden crust that rivals any restaurant.

Ingredients List

    • 1 ½ pounds chicken tenderloins (or chicken breasts cut into strips)
    • 1 cup all-purpose flour
    • 2 large eggs
    • 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
    • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon paprika
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • Cooking spray or vegetable oil for frying

For the Marinade:

    • 1 cup buttermilk
    • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • Optional: 1 teaspoon dried herbs (thyme or oregano)

Timing / Cooking Schedule

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 20 minutes

Total time: 35 minutes (plus optional 30-minute marinating)

This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights since you can marinate the chicken in the morning and have dinner ready in under 40 minutes when you get home.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken (Optional but Recommended) Combine buttermilk, hot sauce, and salt in a bowl. Add chicken tenderloins and coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours. This step tenderizes the meat and adds incredible flavor depth to your chicken tenders recipes.

Step 2: Prepare Your Breading Station Set up three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, pepper, and salt. This classic three-step breading ensures maximum crunch.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken Remove chicken from marinade and shake off excess liquid. Dredge each piece in flour, dip into egg wash (letting excess drip off), then press firmly into the breadcrumb mixture. Pro tip: Use one hand for wet ingredients and one for dry to avoid clumping.

Step 4: Choose Your Cooking Method For oven-baked crispy chicken tenders, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place breaded tenders on a wire rack over a baking sheet, spray generously with cooking oil, and bake for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway. For pan-frying, heat ½ inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown.

Step 5: Check Doneness Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let tenders rest for 3-5 minutes before serving to lock in juices.

Nutritional Information

Nutritional Information

Per serving (serves 4):

    • Calories: 385
    • Protein: 42g
    • Carbohydrates: 28g
    • Fat: 10g
    • Fiber: 2g
    • Vitamin C: 4% DV
    • Iron: 15% DV

Tips, Variations, or Cooking Advice

Dietary Swaps: - Gluten-free: Replace flour with gluten-free flour blend and use gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes. - Keto-friendly: Substitute breadcrumbs with crushed pork rinds and almond flour. - Dairy-free: Use regular milk instead of buttermilk and skip the Parmesan cheese.

Flavor Variations: Add cayenne pepper for spicy tenders, or try Italian seasoning and lemon zest for Mediterranean-style strips. For Asian-inspired tenders, mix in sesame seeds and ginger powder.

Air Fryer Method: Cook at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through and spraying with oil for extra crispiness.

Meal Prep: Bread all tenders at once and freeze uncooked on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer to freezer bags and cook directly from frozen, adding 5 extra minutes to cooking time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Skipping the Marination Without marinating, chicken can turn out dry and bland. Even 15 minutes in buttermilk makes a noticeable difference in tenderness and taste.

Mistake 2: Overcrowding the Pan When frying, leaving space between tenders ensures even browning. Overcrowding lowers oil temperature, resulting in soggy, greasy coating instead of crispy perfection.

Mistake 3: Not Pressing Breadcrumbs Firmly Gently pressing the breadcrumb coating onto chicken helps it adhere better during cooking, preventing flaking and ensuring that golden crust stays intact.

Mistake 4: Cooking at Wrong Temperature Too hot and the outside burns before the inside cooks; too low and you get greasy tenders. Maintain 350-375°F for frying and 425°F for baking.

Storage / Leftovers Tips

Store cooked chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To maintain that signature crispy texture when reheating your chicken tenders recipes, avoid the microwave—it makes them soggy. Instead, reheat in a 375°F oven for 8-10 minutes or use an air fryer at 350°F for 5-6 minutes until warmed through and crispy again.

For longer storage, freeze fully cooked and cooled crispy chicken tenders in freezer-safe bags with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. They'll keep for up to 3 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the oven at 400°F for 15-18 minutes, flipping once halfway through. This method revives that just-cooked crunch perfectly, making meal prep a breeze for busy families.