Easy Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders
If you’re a fan of chicken tenders, you know that they are a delicious and easy-to-make meal. But what happens when you don’t have a deep fryer or want to avoid the added calories associated with frying? No worries! You can still enjoy crispy and juicy chicken tenders by baking them in the oven.
Baking chicken tenders is not only healthier but is also very simple and easy. All you need is a few pantry staples and an oven, and you’re ready to go. Plus, baking chicken tenders gives you the freedom to experiment with different ingredients and flavors, allowing you to customize the tenders to your liking. So, if you want to learn how to make the perfect oven-baked chicken tenders, keep reading.
Prepping the Chicken Tenders
Now that we’ve got everything we need ready, we can start prepping our chicken tenders for the oven. Here’s how:
1. Selecting the Chicken Tenders
The first step in making the perfect chicken tenders in the oven is selecting the right kind of chicken. When buying chicken, make sure you get skinless and boneless chicken tenders. These should be available in most supermarkets.
2. Preparing the Chicken Tenders
Once you have the chicken tenders, rinse them in cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel. Then, cut the tenders into strips so they cook evenly in the oven.
3. Seasoning the Chicken Tenders
Next, in a bowl, mix together your preferred choice of seasoning with some olive oil. Seasonings that go well with chicken tenders include garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Coat the chicken evenly with this seasoning mixture.
4. Preheating the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Allow it to heat up for around 10-15 minutes before you put the chicken tenders in. This gives it enough time to reach the desired temperature.
5. Using a Baking Sheet
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Ensure that it’s even and there’s no overlapping. This way, the chicken will cook more evenly.
6. Placing the Chicken Tenders on the Sheet
Place the chicken tenders on the baking sheet, ensuring that they’re well spaced out. This ensures that they cook evenly. If they’re too close together, they tend to cook unevenly.
7. Spraying with Oil
Lightly spray the chicken tenders with oil. This gives them a nice, crispy texture. A cooking spray works well for this step.
8. Placing the Sheet in the Oven
Put the baking sheet in the oven, and set the timer for 18-20 minutes. This should give you enough time to cook the chicken tenders to perfection.
9. Flipping the Tenders
After about 10 minutes or so, flip the chicken tenders over to cook the other side evenly. Use tongs or a spatula for this step. Since the chicken tenders tend to be delicate, be gentle when turning them over.
10. Checking for Doneness
After 18-20 minutes, take out the baking sheet from the oven and check the chicken tenders for doneness. To do this, cut into one of the bigger tenders and check if the juices run clear. If they do, your chicken tenders are ready to serve!
10 Easy Steps in Making Chicken Tenders in the Oven
Chicken tenders are the perfect protein source that is quick and easy to prepare. This dish is perfect for busy people who want a healthy meal without spending too much time in the kitchen. To learn how to make chicken tenders in the oven, we have outlined ten simple steps that you can follow below.
1. Prepare the Ingredients
Before starting, make sure you have all the ingredients ready. For this recipe, you will need 1 pound of chicken tenders, 2 eggs, 1 cup of flour, 1 cup of breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon of salt, and ½ teaspoon of black pepper.
2. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While it is heating, you can line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Season the Chicken Tenders
Add the salt and black pepper to the chicken tenders to add some flavor.
4. Prepare the Breading Station
In three different bowls, prepare the breading station. In the first, add flour. In the second bowl, whisk the eggs. In the third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs.
5. Coat the Chicken Tenders
Dip each chicken tender in the flour, then the egg, and finally, the breadcrumbs.
6. Place the Tenders in the Baking Sheet
Place the chicken tenders in the prepared baking sheet. Make sure they are not too close to each other, as this will help them cook evenly.
7. Bake the Chicken Tenders
Bake the chicken tenders in the oven for 20 minutes or until they are golden brown.
8. Check the Chicken Tenders
Check the chicken tenders halfway through the cooking process and turn them over if necessary.
9. Make the Dipping Sauce
While the chicken tenders are baking, you can prepare the dipping sauce. A good homemade honey mustard sauce is a perfect match for this dish.
10. Serve and Enjoy
Once the chicken tenders are done, take them out of the oven and serve them immediately. Dip them in your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy! You can also pair them with some steamed vegetables or a salad for a balanced meal.
Seasonings to Make Chicken Tenders in the Oven
To make delicious chicken tenders in the oven, it is essential to have the right combination of seasoning. Here are some seasoning ideas that you can use to add flavor to your chicken tenders:
| Seasoning | Description |
|---|---|
| Salt and pepper | The classic combination of salt and pepper can never go wrong with chicken tenders. It adds a simple yet delicious taste to your dish. |
| Paprika | If you want to add a smoky and slightly sweet flavor to your chicken tenders, paprika is the way to go. It also gives the chicken a beautiful red color. |
| Garlic powder | Garlic powder adds an excellent savory taste to your chicken tenders. It blends well with the other seasonings and doesn’t overpower the dish. |
| Herbs de Provence | This is a blend of dried herbs such as thyme, rosemary, oregano, and lavender. It gives the chicken tenders a French twist with its fragrant flavor. |
| Lemon pepper | For a tangy and zesty taste, lemon pepper is the seasoning of choice. Its combination of citrusy brightness and spicy pepper makes the chicken tenders super flavorful. |
When it comes to the amount of seasoning, it’s best to use a teaspoon of each for every pound of chicken tenders. However, you can adjust the seasoning to your preference. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find the perfect combination that suits your taste buds.
How to Add the Seasoning to the Chicken Tenders
Now that you have your seasoning ready, it’s time to add it to the chicken tenders. Here’s how to get the best results:
1. Pat the chicken tenders dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.
2. In a small bowl, mix all of the seasonings together.
3. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture all over the chicken tenders, making sure they are evenly coated.
4. Gently rub the seasoning into the chicken tenders to ensure that they are fully seasoned.
5. Let the chicken tenders sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes to allow the seasoning to permeate the meat.
Additional Tips for Making Chicken Tenders in the Oven
To make sure your chicken tenders turn out perfectly crispy and delicious, here are some additional tips:
1. Use a wire rack: Placing the chicken tenders on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet allows the heat to circulate evenly and ensures that the tenders cook evenly on both sides.
2. Avoid overcrowding: Make sure there is enough space between the chicken tenders so that they cook evenly and don’t steam. Overcrowding will also result in soggy tenders.
3. Preheat your oven: Preheating your oven to 400°F allows the chicken tenders to cook properly and evenly.
4. Brush with oil: To get a crispy crust, brush the chicken tenders with oil before baking them in the oven.
5. Flip halfway through: Flip the chicken tenders halfway through cooking to ensure that both sides are crispy and golden brown.
By following these tips, you can make perfectly crispy and delicious chicken tenders that everyone will love.
Enjoy your crispy and juicy chicken tenders!
I hope this recipe has inspired you to upgrade your snack game. Making chicken tenders in the oven is super easy, and the result is simply delicious. Don’t forget to serve them with your favorite dipping sauce! Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you back here soon for more delicious recipes. Happy cooking!
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