These crispy Oven Fried Chicken Tenders are a lighter twist on a classic comfort food favorite. Coated in a seasoned breading and baked until golden and crunchy, they’re perfect for busy weeknights, family dinners, or game day snacks. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauces like ranch dressing, honey mustard, or barbecue sauce for a meal everyone will love. Air fryer instructions are included, too!
Why You’ll Love this Oven Fried Chicken Tenders Recipe
If you’re craving crispy chicken without the extra oil, these Oven Fried Chicken Tenders are the perfect solution. They’re coated in a flavorful seasoned breading and baked until golden brown and crunchy on the outside while staying juicy on the inside.
The best part? They’re incredibly easy to make and come together with simple pantry ingredients. Plus, air fryer instructions are included if you want an even faster way to get perfectly crispy chicken tenders every time.
- Crispy and Golden – When it comes to fried chicken in the South, we don’t play. These chicken tenders bake up perfectly crunchy on the outside while staying juicy on the inside.
- Baked Not Fried – Enjoy all the flavor and texture of classic chicken tenders with less oil and mess.
- Easy Weeknight Dinner – Made with simple ingredients and ready in about 30 minutes.
- Kid-friendly – A classic family favorite that both kids and adults love.
- Air Fryer Option – I’ve included air fryer instructions for an even quicker way to make them.
Oven Fried Chicken Tenders Recipe Ingredients
Key ingredients to make crispy Fried Chicken Tenders in the oven: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)
- Chicken – Chicken tenders or boneless skinless chicken breast strips.
- Breadcrumbs – Panko breadcrumbs give the breading a crispy crunch and texture.
- Flour – All purpose flour helps the breadcrumb mixture adhere to the chicken.
- Cheese – Finely grated Parmesan cheese adds a tangy flavor to the crispy breading.
- Herbs – Fresh chives for a hint of onion flavor.
- Spices – Dry Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic salt and black pepper.
- Egg Wash – Large eggs beaten with milk for the dredging station.
- Butter – You’ll need cooking spray and melted butter for a rich flavor.
How to Make the BEST Oven Fried Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Heat Oven and Prepare Pan – Preheat the oven to 425°F. Liberally spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Set Up Dredging Station – One bowl, whisk together all purpose flour with 1/2 tsp garlic salt. Second bowl, eggs with milk. Third bowl, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chives and Italian seasoning.
- Coat the Chicken Tenders in Breading – Dredge the chicken pieces with flour mixture, then dip chicken in the egg mixture. Roll in the panko-Parmesan breadcrumbs.
- Transfer to Pan – Arrange coated tenders on baking pan without touching. Spray the chicken liberally with cooking spray.
- Oven – Bake per the baking time in the recipe drizzling with melted butter halfway.
- Stand Time – Let stand on the pan for 5 minutes then serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
Kitchen Equipment to Make Baked Chicken Tenders in Oven
- Large rimmed baking sheet pan or cookie sheet.
- Three shallow bowls.
- Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions
- Chicken – You could adapt this recipe using boneless chicken breasts cut into strips for this recipe or chicken thighs. Adjust the baking time according to thickness and when in doubt, test the thickest portion for doneness using an instant read thermometer looking for 165°F internal temperature and juices run clear.
- Garlic Salt – You can use plain table salt and garlic powder in place of garlic salt.
- Panko Bread Crumbs – You can use standard breadcrumbs or dried Italian breadcrumbs in place of panko.
- Spice – You could add cayenne pepper for a hint of spice or paprika for a smoky flavor.
- Butter Spray – You can spray these chicken tenders with butter flavored cooking spray to keep them on the lighter side and skip melted butter. You could also use light butter or olive oil to drizzle on top.
- Use Cooking Spray First Before Drizzling with Butter – I recommend spraying the chicken with cooking spray first, then lightly drizzling them with light butter halfway through baking. The reason I choose that technique is, that it gives the breading time to adhere to the chicken. In the case of oven frying, a light drizzle is best.
- How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders – See the full instructions for air fried chicken tenders in the recipe card.
- Serving Options – Serve these crispy chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauces such as comeback sauce, ranch dip, or with warm pizza sauce as an appetizer. Add a side of mashed potatoes and a salad as a meal.
Storage and Leftovers
- Leftovers – Store Oven Fried Chicken Tenders after baking in an airtight container or wrapped in foil chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating – Reheat in a 375°F oven on a sheet pan for 6-8 minutes or in a 350°F air fryer for 2-3 minutes.
- Freezer – You can freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. thaw in the fridge and reheat just before serving.
More Easy Oven Recipes to Make
- Oven Fried Provolone Stuffed Chicken Breasts with a side of marinara sauce.
- Tender Baked Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops.
- Crispy Baked Potato Wedges can be served with a variety of dipping sauces as a side dish or an appetizer.
- You’ll love how easy it is to make Bacon in the Oven.
- Panko Parmesan Crusted Zucchini Fries are a fabulous option as a side dish or an appetizer.
- Skip the messy clean-up and make this juicy Crispy Oven Fried Parmesan Chicken.
- Shake-up your side dish menu with these Sweet Potato Fries.
- You’ll love these Oven Fried Firecracker Onion Rings!
- Baked Corn Zucchini Fritters from Just a Taste.
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Oven Fried Chicken Tenders
This Oven Fried Chicken Tenders recipe makes perfectly crispy baked chicken tenders with a crunchy seasoned coating and juicy chicken inside.
Servings 12 pieces [May vary]
Calories 162kcal
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb chicken tenders
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp garlic salt
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 2 large eggs
- 2 Tbsp milk or buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 Tbsp chopped fresh chives (Or 1-2 teaspoons dried chives)
- 1 tsp dry Italian seasoning
- salt and black pepper
- cooking spray
- 2 Tbsp butter or light butter melted
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 425°F. Liberally spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Set aside.
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Set Up Dredging Station: 1st Bowl– In a shallow bowl whisk together all purpose flour with 1/2 tsp garlic salt and onion powder.
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2nd Bowl – In a separate shallow bowl whisk 2 large eggs with 2 Tbsp of milk. (Season with salt and black pepper to your taste, around 1/4 teaspoon each)
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3rd Bowl – In a third shallow bowl whisk together the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped chives and dry Italian seasoning.
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Dredge the chicken pieces coating on all sides with flour, then dip chicken in the egg mixture. Roll in the panko-Parmesan breadcrumbs. Press the breading firmly onto the chicken tenders.
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Arrange coated tenders on prepared pan without touching. Spray the chicken liberally with cooking spray.
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Bake for 20-22 minutes stopping to drizzle the chicken with melted butter halfway through baking. (Pro Tip: Char under the boiler at the end of baking to brown further.)
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Rest on the pan for 3-5 minutes then serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
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How to Make Air Fryer Chicken Tenders: Prepare the chicken tenders per the recipe. Spray liberally on all sides with cooking spray or an oil mister being careful not to disturb the breading. Spray the basket of an air fryer with cooking spray. Air fry chicken tenders at 400°F for 5-6 minutes per side turning halfway through. Spray any dry spots with cooking spray, then serve.
Notes
- Chicken – You could adapt this recipe using boneless chicken breasts cut into strips for this recipe or chicken thighs. Adjust the baking time according to thickness and when in doubt, test the thickest portion for doneness using an instant read thermometer looking for 165°F internal temperature and juices run clear.
- Garlic Salt – You can use plain table salt and garlic powder in place of garlic salt.
- Panko Bread Crumbs – You can use standard breadcrumbs or dried Italian breadcrumbs in place of panko.
- Spice – You could add cayenne pepper for a hint of spice or paprika for a smoky flavor.
- Butter Spray – You can spray these chicken tenders with butter flavored cooking spray to keep them on the lighter side and skip melted butter. You could also use light butter or olive oil to drizzle on top.
- Use Cooking Spray First Before Drizzling with Butter – I recommend spraying the chicken with cooking spray first, then lightly drizzling them with light butter halfway through baking. The reason I choose that technique is, that itgives the breading time to adhere to the chicken. In the case of oven frying, a light drizzle is best.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 162kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 311mg | Potassium: 253mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 163IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 1mg
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Oven Fried Chicken Tenders
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Reviewed by Kritik Sah
on
March 15, 2026
Rating:
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