Crispy, Crunchy Baked Chicken Tenders Your Kids Will Devour

These crunchy oven-baked chicken tenders are a family favorite for good reason. Chicken breast cutlets are coated in flavorful panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan and herbs then baked until golden brown and irresistibly crispy. Kids will gobble up these crunchy baked tenders, while parents will enjoy how easy they are to make. Serve them with fun dipping sauces and some veggie sticks for a quick, crowd-pleasing dinner. Let's discuss how to bake up these crispy chicken winners.

Start with Chicken Breast Cutlets

Look for packages of thin sliced chicken breast “cutlets” to make this recipe a breeze. Try to get pieces roughly the same size for even cooking. Trim any fat or ragged edges.

Precut is Perfect

The uniform size of precut chicken breast cutlets means less work prepping.

Set Up a Breading Station

Get 3 shallow bowls ready for breading - one each with flour, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan, Italian seasoning and salt.

Step by Step Coating

The separate bowls are crucial for getting an even, thorough breadcrumb coating.

Bread Each Piece Thoroughly

First dredge cutlets in flour, then dip into egg wash allowing any excess to drip off. Finally press into the flavored breadcrumb mixture to coat both sides.

Don't Miss a Spot

Check that each piece is completely encased in the breading for maximum crunch factor.

Bake Until Crispy and Golden

Arrange breaded tenders on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. Bake at 425°F, flipping halfway through, until deeply golden brown, about 12-15 minutes.

Watch for Doneness

Cut into a piece to check that chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside.

Serve with Fun Dipping Sauces

Offer flavorful dipping sauces like ranch, BBQ, honey mustard and buffalo sauce for dunking these finger-licking chicken tenders. Provide an array of options for customization.

Don't Forget the Veggies

Complete the meal with crunchy veggie sticks like carrots, celery, peppers and cucumbers.

5 Breading Tips for Crispy Tenders

1. Use an even thickness of chicken strips

2. Flour first to help breading adhere

3. Press tenders into panko mixture to fully coat

4. Bake at a high temp until deeply golden brown

5. Allow to cool slightly before serving

FAQs

How do you get the breading so crispy?

Panko breadcrumbs make the crispiest coating. Just be sure to press them on thoroughly.

Can I use regular breadcrumbs?

Absolutely, regular dry breadcrumbs will also get nice and crispy when baked.

What dipping sauces do kids love?

Ranch, honey mustard, bbq and sweet and sour sauce are kid-approved favorites.

How long do breaded uncooked tenders last?

They'll keep in the fridge for 1-2 days before baking. Store on a tray so they don't stick.

Can I reheat leftovers?

You sure can! Reheat in a 350°F oven until warmed through and crispy.

In Summary

These easy oven-baked chicken tenders deliver crunchy, crispy chicken flavor your kids will go crazy for. The beauty is how simple they are to throw together with just a few pantry ingredients. Enjoy these crowd-pleasing chicken fingers anytime!