Shake and Bake Chicken Tenders
Easy Homemade Chicken Tenders
Looking for a quick, easy, and healthier alternative to takeout? This healthy chicken tenders recipe is crispy, flavorful, and take just minutes to prep. Perfect for busy families, they’re also customizable, making them a fun recipe for kids to help with!
I've had my fair share of terrible chicken recipes and it pushed me away from making chicken for quite some time. If you've had a similar experience, you will want to try this recipe. I have made it several times and it's come out perfect every time. This recipe is simple, delicious for the whole family, and the total prep and cook time is less than 30 minutes.
✓ Have sports during the week? Make this recipe!
✓ Have kids in school? Make this recipe!
✓ Work full-time and need a break? Make this recipe!
• Total cook time: 15 minutes
• Family-friendly: Absolutely
• Difficulty level: Easy
• Serving size: 3-5
• Serving suggestions: Serve these crispy tenders with a side of roasted asparagus, mashed sweet potatoes, a refreshing coleslaw, or even some garlic bread for the perfect meal
Want a spicier version? Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the seasoning mix.
No chicken? Try this recipe with pork chops or tofu.
Looking to make this dish gluten-free? Use gluten-free breadcrumbs in place of the regular ones. You can also swap the ranch seasoning for a dairy-free option if you prefer.
Why Shake and Bake over fried? It gives you that crispy, golden crunch without all the oil, making it a healthier option. Plus, cleanup is a breeze—no greasy mess like traditional frying!
Why Make Homemade Chicken Tenders?
Store-bought tenders can be loaded with preservatives and unhealthy ingredients. This Shake and Bake recipe uses fresh, wholesome ingredients, giving you all the crispy, flavorful goodness without the extra calories! Using olive oil is heart-healthy compared to vegetable oil or fried chicken.
How to Customize Your Shake and Bake Chicken Tenders
These tenders are juicy and really flavorful and I usually dip my tenders in *Sugar free BBQ sauce. I also added a side of frozen Chive Potatoes that I dipped in ketchup. Other side suggestions include Asparagus or green beans or garlic bread.
Recipe inspiration: Everyday Cheapskate
We made this recipe our own by replacing vegetable oil with olive oil, eliminating salt (we are trying to reduce our sodium intake so I never add salt in recipes), halved the bread crumbs, used celery seed instead of celery salt, eliminated garlic salt, used onion powder instead of granulated dry onion, replaced basil leaves with dried basil, and eliminated parsley. I also added a ranch seasoning for a more sour and tangy taste.
Ingredients for Shake and Bake Chicken Tenders:
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• *2 cups Italian breadcrumbs (gluten-free option available: *Premium Gluten Free Plain Bread Crumbs)
• 1/3 cup olive oil (for mixing with the seasonings)
• 1 tbsp sweet paprika
• *1 tbsp celery seed
• *1 tbsp ranch seasoning
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp basil
• 1-2 lbs boneless, skinless, chicken breast, cut into strips or tenders
Step-by-Step Directions for Shake and Bake Chicken Tenders:
Step #1 Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Step #2 Add all seasonings and olive oil to a large bag.
Step #3 Add in the chicken breast strips to the bag and shake.
Tip: For extra crispy tenders, make sure to press the breadcrumb mixture firmly onto the chicken before baking.
Step #4 Add coated chicken to a PAM or cooking sprayed pan.
Step #5 Bake for 7-8 minutes. Turn them all over. Bake 7-8 minutes more.
Tip: For perfectly cooked tenders, the internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F. You can check this with a meat thermometer for guaranteed results.
If you make this recipe, please comment below. You can also now rate/review the recipe as well!
Store leftovers in a Ziploc bag or an airtight plastic container and keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 2 minutes or until warm.
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