Description
Spicy Chicken Tenders make your dinner game seriously delicious with crispy, zesty protein that rocks your plate. Grab some hot sauce, coat those tender strips, and get ready for a flavor explosion that sparks joy at your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Breading:
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Flavor Enhancers:
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to a precise 400°F and carefully line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for perfect non-stick cooking.
- Transform chicken breasts into uniform 1-inch wide strips using a sharp knife, ensuring even cooking and consistent texture.
- Combine 1 tsp paprika, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper in a small mixing bowl to create a powerful seasoning blend.
- Arrange three separate shallow dishes: crack and whisk 2 large eggs in the first, mix 1 cup panko breadcrumbs with half the spice blend in the second, and reserve the remaining spice mixture in the third.
- Submerge each chicken strip first in beaten eggs, allowing excess to drip off, then generously roll in the seasoned panko, ensuring complete and even coating.
- Strategically arrange breaded chicken strips on the prepared baking sheet, keeping them in a single layer without overcrowding to guarantee crispy edges.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake precisely 20 minutes until strips turn golden brown and reach a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
- Optional: Drizzle 2 tablespoons hot sauce over finished chicken tenders for an extra kick of spicy flavor.
Notes
- Use chicken breasts that are similar in size to ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the tenders.
- Pat chicken strips completely dry before breading to help the coating adhere better and create a crispier exterior.
- For extra heat, add cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the spice blend, adjusting the amount based on your personal spice tolerance.
- If avoiding gluten, swap panko breadcrumbs for gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes for a crunchy alternative.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg