Oven Baked Chicken Tenders

Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. Perfect for dinner or appetizers. These are kid-approved and family-tested.

Juicy, tender chicken strips are breaded with Panko breadcrumbs and french fried onions for the ultimate crunch and satisfaction. 

Crispy oven-baked chicken tenders are healthier than deep-fried ones and have a huge taste. I promise this recipe does not skimp on flavor, plus you feel better eating it. This is my take on Shake and Bake chicken- only better. 

Ingredients Needed for Crispy Breaded Chicken Tenders

The bread crumbs and onions in the coating create a perfect texture for these chicken tenders.

Panko Breadcrumbs — Great for crispy oven-fried breading

French Fried Onions — tremendous flavor and crunch

Salt, Pepper, and Garlic Powder — sometimes simple is best

Buttermilk– thick, rich buttermilk is perfect for dipping chicken in before the crumb mixture

Sriracha Hot Sauce — added flavor. Omit if desired.

Chicken Tenders – Easy to find in your local grocery store.

How to Make Oven Baked (Fried) Chicken Tenders

The coating gets crispy in the oven, and the chicken is perfectly cooked and juicy. The crispy coating makes you believe you are eating fried- just without all of the oil or fat.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil. Place a wire rack on the prepared pan and spray the rack with cooking spray.
2. Combine bread crumbs, fried onions, salt, pepper, and garlic powder in a large zip-top bag. Crush the onions and shake to mix. 
3.  In a shallow bowl, add buttermilk and hot sauce.
4. Dip 1 piece of chicken at a time in the buttermilk mixture and place in a zip-top bag; seal and shake. Place each piece of chicken on the prepared wire rack.
5. Bake for 30-40 minutes until done (depending on the thickness of chicken tenders). Do not turn the chicken during the baking process. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips for the Best Crispy Chicken Tenders

• Don’t skimp on the breading.

• Line a baking sheet with foil. This makes cleaning up a little easier.

• Cook on a wire rack. 

• Dip chicken tenders one at a time in the buttermilk and shake to coat. This ensures the tender gets all of the attention needed for complete coverage.

• Hot sauce adds more flavor. Omit if so desired. 

• If you don’t have buttermilk, make your own or use whole milk.

What Other Spices Can I Use for Shake and Bake Chicken?

The spices are entirely up to you. Pull out some of your favorite spices and herbs in the dry mix. Other choices might be paprika, cayenne, garlic salt, onion powder, or seasoning salt. Parmesan is also a good choice and will add to the crispiness. 

Can I Use Chicken Breast instead of Chicken Tenders?

You absolutely can. Use boneless chicken breast and slice into tenders.

How to Serve Oven Baked Chicken

Hot, crunchy, and seasoned chicken from the oven can be served immediately for dinner or even packed up for a summertime picnic. My favorite sides are potato salad, coleslaw, potato wedges, and corn on the cob.

Recipe FAQs

 

If you love these crispy chicken tenders, then I know you will love these other “fried” foods: fried green tomatoes, southern fried green beans, fried yellow squash, and fried pork chops.