Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders (Printable)
Juicy baked chicken tenders with a golden crunchy crust and sweet tangy honey mustard dip.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken Tenders
01 - 1 lb chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
02 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
03 - 1/2 cup regular breadcrumbs
04 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
05 - 1 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1 tsp paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
09 - 2 large eggs
10 - 1/4 cup milk
11 - Olive oil spray
→ Honey Mustard Dip
12 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
13 - 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
14 - 2 tbsp honey
15 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
16 - Pinch of salt
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on top. Lightly coat the rack with nonstick spray.
02 - Combine panko, regular breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper in a shallow bowl.
03 - Whisk together eggs and milk in a separate shallow bowl until fully blended.
04 - Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels. Dip each piece into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to adhere.
05 - Place coated chicken tenders in a single layer on the prepared wire rack. Lightly spray the tops with olive oil.
06 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
07 - While the chicken bakes, whisk together mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, honey, lemon juice, and salt in a small bowl until smooth.
08 - Serve the crispy chicken tenders immediately accompanied by the honey mustard dip.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You get restaurant-quality crunch from your own oven, no deep fryer required.
- The honey mustard dip is so good you'll find yourself making extra just to have in the fridge.
- Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, start to finish.
02 -
- The wire rack is non-negotiable if you want crispy bottoms, it lets air circulate underneath and prevents steaming.
- Don't skip patting the chicken dry, this single step is the difference between a crunchy crust and one that gets chewy and damp.
03 -
- For extra spice, add a pinch of cayenne to the breadcrumb mixture, it adds warmth without overwhelming the dish.
- If you want them even crispier, spray them again halfway through baking, this creates extra golden spots.