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When it comes to simple, kid-friendly, and easy to make meals, nothing quite beats Oven-Baked Chicken Tender Fingers. Aside from the chicken itself, you likely already have everything you need in your kitchen! These tenders are flavorful, never dry, and perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce.
For as long as I can remember, chicken tenders or chicken fingers were my favorite item to order at any restaurant. 95% of the time I order the chicken tenders platter off the menu at any given restaurant. Its become a game to me to compare each restaurant’s chicken tenders and which one has the best batter and best technique.
The best I ever had was at Blue Ridge Grill in Leesburg, VA. They were breaded in a very unique way and flash fried. This gave it the most amazing and crunchy crust.
I don’t think I’ve ever had such great chicken tenders. I legitimately love chicken tenders or chicken fingers. What do you call them? I know regionally they’re so different in the way you call them.
I honestly still can’t stop thinking about them so I tried to replicate them (the crust at least). I didn’t fry them because I wanted to make these a little healthier so instead of frying these chicken fingers, I created these oven-baked chicken fingers!
Most chicken tenders or chicken fingers are deep-fried and while that’s great every now and then, it is not realistic to prepare it that way often! These oven-baked ones are just as good and by using a panko breadcrumb crust exterior, it gives it an extra crunch factor!
What You’ll Need:
The beauty of this recipe lies in the simplicity of it! You’ll only need this handful of inexpensive ingredients to make your new favorite chicken tenders.
- Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken tenderloins are what you’ll need. Cut them into strips for the best shape.
- Panko Breadcrumbs – I use Panko because of the signature crunch! While you can use plain breadcrumbs, Panko gives these tenders the best bite.
- Seasonings – You can customize your seasonings to your liking. With that being said, I’ve found that this simple (and delicious) blend to be the best! Garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and cracked black pepper come together to create a mix that’s tasty, but neutral enough to pair well with any condiment.
- Eggs – I like to use free range organic eggs.
Common FAQ’s
What kind of chicken do I use? Chicken tenders! Boneless and skinless. You could use breasts and slice them into strips, if you want, but buying chicken tenders are just easier.
What kind of seasonings can I use? I love garlic and onion powder (which is in the recipe) but smoked paprika would be great too. Any other seasonings you want to amp up the flavor would be good. Maybe a dash of cayenne too if you like a kick of spice.
What dipping sauce do you recommend? Honey mustard all the way! Or, you can try to make your own Chick-Fil-A sauce!
If you love chicken tenders and chicken fingers, you would love these recipes:
- Chick-fuh-lay nuggets and sauce
- Three ingredient chicken nuggets
- Peri peri chicken drumsticks
- Holy yum chicken
Baked Chicken Tender Fingers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups (120 g) panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 3 eggs
- 10 boneless skinless chicken tenderloins, sliced into strips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450 °F (232 °C). Line two large baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a shallow dish, combine panko, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to get it all incorporated.2 cups (120 g) panko breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper
- In another shallow dish, beat the 3 eggs together.3 eggs
- Take the chicken strips and dip them in the egg mixture then cover the chicken strips with the panko mixture. Gently press the panko mixture on the chicken to make sure it’s well coated.10 boneless skinless chicken tenderloins
- Lay the strips next to each other on the baking sheets and repeat until all the chicken strips have been coated.
- Bake for 20 minutes then turn on the broiler and broil them for another 5 minutes to get the outside even more crispy & a light brown color.
- Serve immediately with honey mustard or BBQ sauce or ketchup!
Totally know what you mean. I`m not a stressful person, but lots of things can make me twitch a little since it`s not going right. LOL
But, you`re right. Can`t change what you don`t have control over!
These look fabulous though!
I totally agree with you Julie! I have those moments all the time…but mine are usually in more of a meltdown haha. For me I have found that its good every now and again because it helps me realize that I am agonizing over something so small and that I need to take things a little more lightly :)
But these chicken fingers look sublime! I love baked chicken fingers!
I know exactly what you mean, although I never am as busy as you are ;) But I had all intentions of making my Fresh Friday and posting it last night and then Matt called me with news that the car was gone!!! Like seriously! Turned out it had been towed (oh city parking!), so thankfully not stolen, but needless to say, my day was shot! A lesson for me to prioritize my time better I guess. Its nice to hear this encouragement from you Julie :) Thanks and I cant wait to see you in seven weeks!
I totally feel your pain. But you’re right: sometimes the best solution is to just let go. It can be hard, though, I know! Either way, these photos and chicken fingers look amazing as always. I hope you have a lovely, stress-free weekend!!
These look like great comfort food, and I like your honesty in this post. I’m not looking forward to winter light either – summer isn’t my favourite season but it does have it’s advantages :)
I agree as I can get the same way sometimes. I’ve learned to take a deep breath and to attack from a different angle/point of view/etc. (Not just talking about blogging/photography, but everything in general.)
Loved that these chicken fingers are baked!
Eek! Look at those beautiful golden (crispy!!) chicken fingers! I’m a total kid at heart still and adore chicken fingers. And sauce. Honey mustard or BBQ. I’m a saucy girl, what can I say! :)
It’s so easy to get stressed or overwhelmed by life and it’s even harder to know where to cut back or slow down. SIGH indeed. And the lighting … oh let’s not go there yet k? lol Pass me a chicken finger would ya? :)
Great post Julie! Lighting can be a food photographers worst enemy (or best friend) but like you said we just need to stop and smell the roses. Thanks for sharing this as its good to hear these things. Your photos are always beautiful and these chicken tenders look awesome! I love that they are baked! :)
GIRLL!!! I could not agree more with your sentiment. I get so UPSET, like stomping around sobbing crying when my photos don’t turn out right b/c of lighting that it ruins my day. and that’s absurd. like you said, we only get one life to live, make it worth it!
But your photos are always gorgeous. I love these little fingerrrrs :)