For an easy chicken dinner, whip up these crunchy, oven-baked chicken tenders. The recipe can be prepared in less than 30 minutes and will be a big hit with your kids and family.
My kids love chicken tenders, and it’s their meal of choice when we eat out at any restaurant. My daughter has repeatedly said she enjoys eating chicken tenders at home, not only because she wants to eat them but because she helps me make them. There is something special about cooking meals with your kids.
For other kid-friendly meals, try my pepperoni pizza empanadas and these chipotle chicken wraps.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you currently have little kids at home, you’ll enjoy the experience of being able to cook them some home-cooked oven-baked chicken tenders rather than buying them from a fast food place. Not only is it healthier, but it’s also an opportunity to cook with your little ones.
I use panko for the breading because it gives the tenders a crispier coating than regular bread crumbs. They’re seasoned with garlic powder, homemade sofrito, and a little adobo to provide it with the Latin taste that reins in every Hispanic home.
I assure you. This chicken tenders recipe will be a hit at home, especially with the little ones.
Ingredients
- Chicken tenders – You can also substitute for chicken breasts if chicken tenders are not an option.
- Eggs – To use as a binding agent for the breading.
- Panko breading – This is to give your chicken tenders a crunchier texture. You can also use regular bread crumbs if so preferred. However, the panko bread crumbs tend to have a lighter and flakier texture, and it cooks crunchier than regular bread crumbs. This staple can be found at your local grocery store and can also be bought gluten-free.
- Adobo – I use organic adobo to season all my foods.
- Homemade sofrito – Try my recipe for sofrito!
- Garlic powder – To add delicious garlic taste.
- Lime juice – To give it that nice citrus flavor.
- Salt + Pepper – For flavor!
Step-by-Steps Instructions
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Place a rack on a baking sheet and set it aside. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, lime juice, and homemade sofrito.
Make Breading. In a shallow dish, place beaten eggs. In a separate shallow dish, like a bowl, place the panko and combine it with the adobo.
Dredge Chicken. Take the chicken tenders and dip them in the egg mixture one at a time. Then, cover the chicken tenders with the panko and adobo mixture. Gently press the panko mixture on the chicken to ensure it’s well coated. Repeat until all tenders have been coated.
Bake Chicken Tenders. Lay the chicken tenders on the rack on the baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Serving Suggestions
If these tenders are for the little ones, the easiest bet is to serve them alongside fries, which could also work for adults, and you can also enjoy it on its own with dipping sauces. If you’re interested in side options, chicken tenders are delicious with tostones, mashed potatoes, white rice and beans, grilled vegetables, or salads.
Dipping Sauce for Baked Chicken Tenders
The options for dipping sauces for your tenders are endless. Here are a few ideas:
- Ketchup
- Honey Mustard
- Creamy Cilantro Dressing
- Mayo Ketchup (Pink Sauce)
- Guava BBQ Sauce
- Cilantro Chimichurri Sauce
Recipe Variations
Cut the chicken into small pieces of about 1-inch to make popcorn chicken! This is a fun way to serve this delicious recipe to your little ones.
Storage Tips
Chicken tenders are sure to be a favorite among kids in your family, so I’m sure you’d want to extend the shelf life of these treats. Any leftover chicken tenders can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container or freezer bag for 3-4 days or make them ahead by storing them in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Difference Between Chicken Tenderloins and Tenders?
While it seems like chicken tenders are a mysterious piece of meat served in fast food restaurants and concession stands, chicken tenders are parts of a chicken — the long, innermost muscle of the chicken breast lying along the breastbone. People refer to tenderloins as chicken fingers, chicken goujons, chicken strips, tenders, or chicken fillets.
At what temperature should chicken tenders be cooked?
I bake my chicken tenders at 450 degrees Fahrenheit. For doneness, be sure to cook the chicken tenders until the internal temperature of the largest tender is at least 165°F.
How to Keep Chicken Tenders Crispy
These oven-baked chicken tenders stay crispy because of the panko bread crumbs they’re coated with before baking.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- Wash your chicken with lime juice or vinegar before seasoning it. This acts as a light brine and infuses flavor.
- Be sure to cook the chicken tenders until the internal temperature of the largest tender is at least 165°F.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Tostones (Fried Green Plantains)
- Cheese Stuffed Fried Yuca Balls & Cilantro Dressing
- Grilled Chicken Skewers with Garlic Lime Cilantro
- Game Day Buffalo Chicken Mini Pizza
Crispy Oven-baked Chicken Tenders
Author:Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders, boneless, skinless
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon homemade sofrito
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 2 cups panko breading
- ½ teaspoon adobo
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Place a rack on a baking sheet. Set aside.
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, lime juice and homemade sofrito.
- Place beaten eggs in a shallow dish. In a separate shallow dish, place the panko and combine with the adobo.
- Take the chicken tenders and dip them in the egg mixture one at a time. Then, cover the chicken tenders with the panko and adobo mixture. Gently press the panko mixture on the chicken to make sure it’s well coated.
- Lay the chicken tenders on the rack on the baking sheet. Repeat until all tenders have been coated.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Wash your chicken with lime juice or vinegar before seasoning it.This acts as a light brine and infuses flavor.
- Be sure to cook the chicken tenders until the internal temperature of the largest tender is at least 165°F.
Nutrition
The nutritional information of this recipe and all recipes on mydominicankitchen.com is only an estimate. The accuracy of any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
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