The Ultimate Guide to Perfectly Crispy Homemade Chicken Tenders

Are you disappointed by frozen chicken strips that promise a satisfying crunch but end up being a soft, let-down? We certainly know the feeling. You’re searching for that flawless, golden-brown crust with a crispiness that delights children and adults alike. Your search ends here. We are going to guide you through creating the most phenomenal Crispy Homemade Chicken Tenders you’ve ever had, all from the comfort of your own kitchen. The best part? They are baked instead of fried, which makes this an easy chicken recipe that you can happily serve any evening.

You can put away the deep-fat fryer and forget about ordering takeaways. We have perfected the method for achieving that wonderful crunch with nothing more than your oven and a few smart techniques. These tenders are wonderfully moist on the inside, exceptionally crispy on the outside, and seasoned beautifully. They are the ideal solution for your midweek meal planning and a guaranteed way to please even the most particular eaters. Let’s begin!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Astonishingly Crispy Texture: Our special blend of panko breadcrumbs and crushed cornflakes delivers a coating that is light, airy, and maintains its incredible crunch.
• A Lighter, Healthier Choice: By baking these tenders on a wire rack, we create an amazing texture using significantly less oil than deep-frying. It’s a treat you can feel good about!
• Fantastically Kid-Friendly: These chicken strips are sure to be a success with the little ones. They are easy for small hands to hold and feature a gentle, savoury taste that suits every palate.
• Effortless and Quick: With very little preparation and a cooking time of about 20 minutes, you can have a wonderfully tasty and fulfilling meal on the table in under an hour.
• Wonderfully Versatile: Enjoy them as a main dish with your preferred sides, slice them for salads, tuck them into wraps, or present them as a popular snack at a party.

Ingredients

• 700g boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 large)
• 90g plain flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 100g panko breadcrumbs
• 50g cornflakes, lightly crushed
• Olive oil spray or vegetable oil spray

Step-by-Step Instructions for the Crispiest Chicken Tenders

Achieving restaurant-standard chicken tenders at home is all down to the method. We have simplified the process into a few clear stages to guarantee you get a flawless result time after time.

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

To begin, let’s prepare our chicken. The secret to consistent cooking is ensuring the pieces are of a similar size. Place your chicken breasts on a chopping board and cut them lengthwise into strips approximately 1-1.5 inches wide. We typically get about 3-4 tenders from each breast. After slicing, use a paper towel to pat every piece of chicken until it is completely dry. This is a vital step! A dry surface allows the coating to stick far more effectively, which is key for achieving that ultimate crispness.

Step 2: Set Up Your Breading Station

A well-organised setup is the key to a fuss-free breading process. You’ll need three shallow bowls or plates for this.

1. Dish 1 (Flour Mixture): In the first bowl, combine the plain flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Whisk them together until they are thoroughly mixed. This seasoned flour creates the initial layer of flavour.
2. Dish 2 (Egg Wash): In the second bowl, crack the two eggs and give them a light whisk with a fork until the yolks and whites are just blended. This mixture will serve as the adhesive for our crispy coating.
3. Dish 3 (Crispy Coating): In your third bowl, stir together the panko breadcrumbs and the lightly crushed cornflakes. To crush the cornflakes, you can put them in a sealed bag and gently go over them with a rolling pin or press down with your hands. We are aiming for small fragments, not a fine powder.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken Tenders

Now, let’s bring it all together. Taking one chicken tender at a time, use the following method for a perfect coating:

1. Dredge the dry chicken strip through the seasoned flour, ensuring it is coated on all sides. Lightly tap off any excess flour.
2. Immerse the floured tender in the egg wash, letting any extra egg drip back into the bowl.
3. Firmly press the egg-coated tender into the panko and cornflake mix. Use your hands to pat the crumbs on, making sure the entire tender is well-covered. This firm pressure is what helps the coating adhere during baking.
4. Transfer the coated tender to a wire rack that has been placed inside a baking sheet.

Continue this process with all the chicken strips, arranging them on the wire rack in a single layer. Make sure to leave a small gap between each one to promote good air circulation.

Step 4: Baking for Golden Perfection

Now, the oven takes over. Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F / Gas Mark 6). Give the tops of the coated chicken tenders a light spritz with olive oil spray. This encourages them to become a lovely golden-brown colour and boosts the crispiness.

Bake for 15-20 minutes, turning the tenders over at the halfway point. The baked chicken tenders are ready when they look golden, feel crispy, and the chicken is fully cooked. To be certain, the internal temperature should read 74°C (165°F) on a meat thermometer. For guidance on food safety, the NHS provides excellent advice on cooking chicken safely.

Top Tips for Success

To ensure your homemade chicken tenders are truly exceptional, bear these straightforward tips in mind.

Don’t Crowd the Baking Tray

It is crucial to give each chicken tender its own space. If they are packed too tightly, they will steam rather than bake, which leads to a soggy coating. It’s better to use two baking trays if you need to, just to make sure hot air can move freely around every piece.

The Wire Rack is Non-Negotiable

Using a wire rack to cook the tenders is our number one trick. It elevates the chicken above the surface of the tray, which means the hot air can cook the underside just as well as the top. This helps avoid a soggy bottom and gives you that all-round, 360-degree crispness.

Customise Your Spices

Feel free to get creative with the seasonings. You could introduce a dash of cayenne pepper for a touch of heat, some smoked paprika for a richer taste, or even a little grated Parmesan cheese into the breadcrumb mixture for an extra savoury kick.

Serving Suggestions for Your Tenders

These crispy tenders are incredibly adaptable and form the perfect foundation for a kid-friendly chicken dinner. We particularly enjoy serving them with an assortment of dips. Timeless options include honey mustard, BBQ sauce, or a cool ranch dressing. As for sides, they pair beautifully with homemade chips, sweet potato wedges, a simple green salad, or a crunchy coleslaw.

If you’d like to turn this into a more filling meal, slice the cooked tenders and load them into a soft tortilla wrap with fresh lettuce, tomato, and a little of your favourite sauce. They are also brilliant when chopped and sprinkled over a Caesar salad to add extra protein and a delightful crunch.

Making Healthy Chicken Strips at Home

One of the greatest benefits of this recipe is that you end up with wonderfully healthy chicken strips in comparison to their deep-fried alternatives. The baking method drastically cuts down on the fat and calorie count while still delivering that essential crunch. By managing the ingredients ourselves, we also avoid the high sodium levels and preservatives that are often present in processed, frozen varieties. For more inspiration on nutritious cooking, why not browse our selection of Healthy Chicken Recipes?

To make them even more nutritious, consider using wholewheat panko breadcrumbs, or you could even stir a tablespoon of ground flaxseed into the crumb coating. Pairing them with a portion of steamed vegetables or a large, colourful salad transforms this enjoyable treat into a well-rounded and wholesome family meal.

FAQ

Say Goodbye to Soggy Chicken Forever!

And that’s our simple secret to perfect Crispy Homemade Chicken Tenders. By adhering to these easy steps, you can prepare a meal that is a guaranteed hit with everyone, delivering on taste, texture, and wholesome quality. This recipe is proof that you don’t require a deep-fryer to get that wonderfully satisfying crunch we all love. It shows how basic ingredients and clever methods can produce brilliant results, and our dedication to a Juicy Chicken Recipe ensures the inside is every bit as good as the outside.

So, the next time you’re craving chicken tenders, give the takeaway a miss and head for your kitchen instead. We are confident you will be delighted with the outcome! We would be thrilled to see how yours turn out. Please give this recipe a go and don’t forget to leave a comment below to share your experience. Happy cooking!

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Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 20 mins
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 700g boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3 large)
• 90g plain flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 100g panko breadcrumbs
• 50g cornflakes, lightly crushed
• Olive oil spray or vegetable oil spray

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F / Gas Mark 6). Cut chicken breasts into 1-1.5 inch wide strips and pat them completely dry with a paper towel.
2. Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls. In the first, whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. In the second, lightly whisk the eggs. In the third, combine the panko breadcrumbs and crushed cornflakes.
3. Working one strip at a time, dredge the chicken in the seasoned flour, dip it into the egg wash (letting excess drip off), and then press it firmly into the panko/cornflake mixture to coat thoroughly.
4. Place the coated tenders in a single layer on a wire rack set inside a baking sheet, ensuring there is space between each piece for air circulation.
5. Lightly spray the tops of the tenders with olive oil spray. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown, crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 514, Carbs: 48g, Protein: 50g, Fat: 14g