Chicken Tender Recipes
1. Classic Crispy Fried Chicken Tenders 🐔
Let’s start with the classic, the king of all chicken tender recipes – the crispy fried chicken tenders. These are what we all grew up with, and they’re just too good to pass up.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken tenders (about 8-10 pieces)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko for extra crunch!)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions:
- Prepare your dredging stations: Set up three bowls. In the first bowl, add the flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. In the second bowl, beat the eggs. In the third bowl, add the breadcrumbs.
- Dredge the tenders: Dip each chicken tender into the flour mixture, then into the beaten eggs, and finally into the breadcrumbs, pressing the breadcrumbs gently so they stick well.
- Heat the oil: In a large pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat. You can check if the oil is hot enough by dropping a small piece of bread into it – if it sizzles, you’re good to go!
- Fry the tenders: Carefully drop the tenders into the hot oil, cooking in batches so they aren’t crowded. Fry them for about 4-5 minutes per side or until golden brown and crispy.
- Drain and serve: Place the tenders on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, and enjoy!
These golden, crispy tenders are perfect for a quick dinner or a family movie night. You can even spice things up with a bit of hot sauce or ranch dressing – the options are endless!
2. Baked Chicken Tenders: A Healthier Twist 🍽️
Not in the mood to fry? No problem! These baked chicken tenders are just as delicious and much lighter. Plus, they’re still crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside – just without the oil.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- ½ cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the breading: In a shallow dish, mix together the breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the tenders: In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil and Dijon mustard. Dip each chicken tender into the mustard-oil mixture, then coat it with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Bake the tenders: Place the breaded tenders on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve: Pair these baked tenders with a side of honey mustard or BBQ sauce. They’re crispy, tender, and surprisingly healthy!
These tenders prove that you can enjoy your favorite comfort food while still keeping things on the lighter side. A win-win situation!
3. Spicy Buffalo Chicken Tenders 🔥
If you like your chicken tenders with a kick, this spicy buffalo version is calling your name. The perfect balance of heat and flavor makes these tenders a crowd-pleaser for sure.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup buffalo sauce
- 3 tbsp melted butter
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven: Set it to 425°F (220°C).
- Prepare the chicken: In a bowl, mix the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Dredge the chicken tenders in this dry mixture.
- Bake the tenders: Lay the tenders on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Make the buffalo sauce: In a small saucepan, combine the buffalo sauce and melted butter. Heat until the butter is melted and the sauce is well combined.
- Coat the tenders: Once the tenders are cooked, toss them in the spicy buffalo sauce until well coated.
- Serve: Serve with a side of blue cheese or ranch dressing to cool down the heat. Warning: These tenders might make you break a sweat! 😅
Whether you’re having a game day party or just craving something spicy, these buffalo chicken tenders are sure to satisfy your spicy food cravings!
4. Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders: Sweet and Savory Combo 🍯
Looking for a chicken tender recipe that balances sweet and savory? The honey mustard chicken tenders are the perfect match. The sweet honey and tangy mustard work together in harmony, making for a tasty bite every time.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the breading: In a shallow bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with garlic powder, paprika, and salt.
- Prepare the honey mustard glaze: In a separate bowl, whisk together honey, Dijon mustard, and apple cider vinegar. Set aside.
- Coat the tenders: Dip each chicken tender into the breadcrumb mixture, then place them on a baking sheet.
- Bake the tenders: Bake for about 20-25 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Glaze the tenders: Brush the honey mustard glaze over the tenders about 5 minutes before they finish baking, and let it caramelize in the oven.
- Serve: These sweet and savory tenders are perfect on their own or paired with a side of crispy fries.
5. Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Tenders 🧀
Who doesn’t love the rich, cheesy flavor of Parmesan? These Parmesan-crusted chicken tenders are crispy, cheesy, and oh-so-satisfying.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ¼ cup flour
- Olive oil for drizzling
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: Set it to 425°F (220°C).
- Prepare the breading: Mix the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and basil in a shallow dish.
- Dredge the tenders: Dip the chicken tenders first into the flour, then into the beaten eggs, and finally into the breadcrumb mixture.
- Bake the tenders: Arrange the tenders on a baking sheet and drizzle them with a little olive oil. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden and crispy.
- Serve: These Parmesan-crusted tenders are great with a side of marinara sauce or a nice creamy ranch dressing. Trust us, they’re the perfect combo of cheesy goodness and crispy texture.
6. Crispy Coconut Chicken Tenders 🥥
Here’s a fun twist on traditional chicken tenders – coconut chicken tenders! The sweetness of the coconut and the crispiness of the coating make for a fun and tropical treat.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven: Set it to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare the breading: In a shallow dish, mix the shredded coconut, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the chicken: Dip the tenders into the beaten eggs and then coat them with the coconut-breadcrumb mixture.
- Bake: Place the tenders on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until they’re golden and crispy.
- Serve: Drizzle with a little honey for added sweetness or serve with a tangy dipping sauce to balance the flavors.
FAQs
- Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken tenders? Absolutely! Just cut the chicken breasts into strips, and you’ll have your own homemade tenders. Just make sure they’re cut evenly to ensure even cooking.
- How can I make chicken tenders extra crispy? For extra crispiness, use panko breadcrumbs and consider double-dipping your chicken in egg and breadcrumbs. Also, ensure the oil is hot enough when frying!
- Can I make these tenders gluten-free? Yes! Substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs, and use a gluten-free flour mix for breading.
- What dipping sauces go well with chicken tenders? The possibilities are endless! Classic ranch, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, or even something sweet like sweet and sour sauce.
- Can I make chicken tenders in advance? Yes, you can prepare the chicken tenders and store them in the fridge before cooking. You can also freeze them for later – just make sure to cook from frozen, adding extra time.
Conclusion
Chicken tender recipes are some of the most versatile and delicious dishes you can prepare at home. Whether you prefer them crispy, spicy, or sweet, there’s a recipe for every taste bud. These six irresistible ways to enjoy chicken tenders show just how much you can do with a simple ingredient like chicken.
Next time you’re in the mood for something tasty, skip the drive-thru and try out one of these mouthwatering recipes. Your taste buds will thank you! 🍗