Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders (Printable)
Golden, crunchy chicken tenders baked to perfection with a tangy honey mustard sauce.
# What You Need:
→ For the Chicken Tenders
01 - 1½ lbs chicken tenders or chicken breasts, cut into strips
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 2 tbsp milk
05 - 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
06 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1 tsp garlic powder
08 - 1 tsp paprika
09 - ½ tsp salt
10 - ½ tsp black pepper
11 - Cooking spray or olive oil spray
→ For the Honey Mustard Sauce
12 - ¼ cup Dijon mustard
13 - ¼ cup honey
14 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise
15 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
16 - Pinch of salt and pepper
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease with cooking spray.
02 - Arrange three shallow bowls: place flour in the first, whisk together eggs and milk in the second, and mix panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in the third.
03 - Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels. Dredge each piece first in flour, then in egg mixture, then in the panko mixture. Press gently to ensure coating adheres properly.
04 - Arrange coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Lightly spray tops with cooking spray for even browning.
05 - Bake for 22–25 minutes, turning halfway through cooking, until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
06 - While chicken bakes, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
07 - Serve chicken tenders hot with honey mustard sauce on the side for dipping. Pairs well with oven fries or fresh salad.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The panko and Parmesan create a restaurantstyle crunch that stays crispy even after baking
- Kids and adults both go absolutely wild for these, making them perfect for family dinner or game day
02 -
- Dry chicken equals better coating adhesion, so don't skip the paper towel pat down
- Pressing the panko onto each piece makes a huge difference in how much coating actually stays on
03 -
- Letting the coated chicken sit for ten minutes before baking helps the coating set better
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet or the chicken will steam instead of crisp up properly