Description
Homemade Chicken Tenders are the ultimate comfort food, offering a crispy, golden coating and tender, juicy chicken inside. Perfect for kids and adults alike, these chicken tenders are easy to make, customizable with your favorite seasonings, and much healthier than store-bought versions. Whether served with a dipping sauce or alongside your favorite sides, these homemade tenders will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 ½ cups breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for frying) or cooking spray (for baking)
Ingredient Highlights
- Chicken Breasts: Lean, protein-packed chicken breasts are the perfect base for tenders, providing a juicy, tender bite.
- Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs offer extra crunch, but you can use regular breadcrumbs for a slightly finer texture.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and other herbs create a flavorful coating that complements the chicken.
- Eggs and Flour: These are essential for the dredging process, helping the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken for a crispy finish.
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken:
- Cut the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into strips, making sure the pieces are even in size to ensure they cook uniformly.
- Season the Chicken: Lightly season the chicken strips with salt, pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder to ensure the chicken has some flavor on its own before coating.
Set Up the Dredging Stations:
- Prepare the Flour: In one shallow bowl, place the flour.
- Prepare the Egg Wash: In a second shallow bowl, beat the eggs.
- Prepare the Breadcrumbs: In a third shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and any other seasonings you like.
Coat the Chicken:
- Dredge the Chicken: Start by dipping each chicken strip into the flour, making sure it’s fully coated. Shake off any excess flour. Next, dip the chicken into the egg wash, allowing any excess egg to drip off. Finally, coat the chicken in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the breadcrumbs stick. Set aside on a plate or tray.
Cook the Chicken:
- Fry the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken strips in a single layer, cooking them for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C). Remove the tenders from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
OR
Bake the Chicken: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spray the chicken strips lightly with cooking spray. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.
Serve:
- Serve: Serve the homemade chicken tenders immediately with your favorite dipping sauce, like ketchup, honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or ranch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 350-400 kcal
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 30g