Description
Crispy and juicy breaded chicken tenders made with a flavorful mix of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and seasoned breadcrumbs. Perfectly cooked by frying or baking, these tenders are an ultimate crowd-pleaser for family dinners or snacks.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken tenders (or chicken breasts cut into strips)
Dredging Stations
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (Panko for extra crunch)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
For Cooking
- Cooking oil (for frying or baking)
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Slice chicken breasts into strips if not using pre-cut tenders to ensure even cooking and the perfect tender shape.
- Set Up Dredging Stations: Prepare three bowls: one with flour, one with whisked eggs, and one with combined breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper for seasoning.
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge each chicken strip first in flour, shake off excess, then dip in the egg mixture allowing excess to drip off, and finally press into the breadcrumb mixture to fully coat.
- Heat the Oil or Prepare Oven: For frying, heat ½ inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat until shimmering. For baking, preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cook the Tenders: If frying, carefully add chicken strips and fry 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. If baking, place tenders on baking sheet, lightly spray with cooking oil, bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy.
- Drain Excess Oil: For fried tenders, place on paper towels to remove excess oil ensuring crispiness without greasiness.
- Check Doneness: Verify internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) to ensure they are safely cooked.
- Let Rest: Allow tenders to rest for a few minutes to lock in juices and enhance tenderness before serving.
Notes
- Use Panko breadcrumbs for extra crunchiness.
- You can bake the tenders for a healthier version or fry them for a classic crispy texture.
- Flipping halfway through baking ensures even crisping on both sides.
- Make sure oil is hot before frying to prevent soggy breading.
- Resting the tenders after cooking helps retain juiciness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: breaded chicken tenders, crispy chicken, fried chicken tenders, baked chicken tenders, chicken strips, easy chicken recipe
