Description
Chicken tender dinner proves quick meals can still feel satisfying when crispy tenders meet your go-to sides. Comfort food without the wait.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 large eggs
Seasoning:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Cooking Ingredient:
- ¼ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Rinse 1 lb of chicken tenders under cool water, then thoroughly dry them using paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Create a flavor bath by combining ¼ cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and your prepared spice blend in a large bowl.
- Submerge chicken tenders in the marinade, ensuring complete coverage, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to enhance tenderness.
- Position your oven rack in the center and preheat to 400°F, allowing it to fully warm up for even cooking.
- Set up three shallow dishes: one with 1 cup flour, another with 2 beaten eggs, and the third with 1 cup seasoned breadcrumbs.
- Remove chicken from marinade and pat each tender dry before dredging first in flour, then egg wash, and finally coating completely with breadcrumbs.
- Press breadcrumbs firmly onto each tender to help the coating adhere and create a crispy exterior.
- Arrange breaded tenders on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart to ensure crisp edges.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over the tenders to help achieve a golden, crunchy coating.
- Bake for 22 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to guarantee even browning and thorough cooking.
- Check internal temperature reaches 165°F using a meat thermometer for safe consumption.
- Allow tenders to rest 3-4 minutes before serving to help juices redistribute and maintain maximum moisture.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken in buttermilk or a flavorful mixture helps tenderize the meat and adds delicious depth to every bite.
- Pressing breadcrumbs firmly onto the chicken ensures a crispy, even coating that won’t fall off during baking.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safe and perfectly cooked tenders.
- For gluten-free options, swap regular breadcrumbs with crushed gluten-free crackers or almond meal to keep the same delightful crunch.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 to 4
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg