The Ultimate Breaded Chicken Tenders Recipe
These golden, crunchy Breaded Chicken Tenders are a super delicious and easy dinner option. It’s a dish that the whole family will absolutely love! Plus, you can prepare a batch now and freeze some for later, making it a convenient meal prep solution.
Chicken tenders are a classic staple on nearly every family restaurant’s menu. This simple, pan-fried dish is a favorite among kids and adults alike. And there’s a good reason for its popularity: they’re easy to eat, fun to dip, and incredibly delicious!
But you don’t need to go out to a restaurant to enjoy amazing chicken tenders that your kids (and you!) will adore. Restaurant-style breaded chicken tenders are surprisingly easy to make at home. And the best part? They often taste even better than the ones you find at your favorite eatery. The secret lies in fresh ingredients and a little bit of homemade love.
Alain’s Famous Homemade Chicken Tenders
The recipe I’m sharing with you today is fondly known in our house as “Dad’s Famous Chicken Tenders.” It’s my husband Alain’s signature dish, and the kids absolutely LOVE it. He has truly perfected the art of making crispy, flavorful chicken tenders that are a hit with everyone.
He makes this recipe at least once a month in our house, and every single time, our kids gobble it up! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and a lifesaver on busy weeknights.
A Meal Great for Kids (of Any Age)
My husband first learned this fantastic recipe as a teenager, while watching his mom prepare it. He started making it for our kids a few years back, and it quickly became one of their all-time favorite meals. It’s a dish that brings back fond memories and creates new ones at the dinner table.
In fact, we’ve had to start making extra large batches because each of our little eating machines goes back for seconds, and sometimes even thirds! It’s a testament to how delicious and irresistible these chicken tenders are.
And if you have young kids at home, this is a wonderful recipe that your children can actively help you make. It involves just a few simple ingredients and comes together pretty quickly and easily, making it a fun and engaging activity for the whole family.
How to Make Crispy Chicken Tenders from Scratch
These breaded chicken tenders really are as easy as one, two, three – literally. All you need to do is set up three shallow bowls, one for each of the following steps:
- Flour Dip
- Egg Dip
- Bread Crumbs
- Start by seasoning the chicken tenders on all sides with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. This simple step adds a ton of flavor to the finished product.
- Then, dredge each chicken tender in the flour, ensuring that it’s completely coated on all sides. The flour acts as a binding agent for the egg wash.
- Next, dip the floured tender into an egg wash, using approximately two beaten eggs for every six tenders. Make sure the entire tender is submerged in the egg wash.
- Finally, coat the tenders evenly in bread crumbs, pressing them gently to ensure the breadcrumbs adhere well.
The order of these steps is important, as each coating builds upon the last to create the perfect crispy exterior. Each layer plays a crucial role in achieving that desirable texture and flavor.
The flour helps the egg bind to the tender, and the egg helps the bread crumbs adhere to the chicken. Without these binding agents, the bread crumb coating would likely fall off during the cooking process, resulting in a less-than-ideal outcome.
Once each tender has been breaded, simply add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil to a skillet. Then, carefully sauté the tenders, cooking them for about 5 minutes on each side over medium to low heat. The goal is to achieve a golden-brown color and ensure that the chicken is cooked through.
Essential Cooking Tips for Perfect Chicken Tenders
Don’t hesitate to add more olive oil to the skillet as needed to maintain a consistent coating of oil in the pan. This will help ensure that the chicken tenders cook evenly and develop that beautiful golden-brown color.
Also, be sure not to make the pan too hot, as this can cause the breadcrumbs to burn before the chicken is fully cooked. A medium to low heat setting is ideal for achieving the perfect balance of crispiness and doneness.
What’s the Ideal Internal Temperature for Chicken Tenders?
Just like with most chicken dishes, you’ll know the chicken is properly cooked when an internal thermometer reads 165°F degrees. Using a reliable meat thermometer is essential for ensuring that the chicken is safe to eat and perfectly cooked. This will give you peace of mind and prevent any guesswork.
Delicious Serving Suggestions: What to Serve with Chicken Tenders
Once the chicken tenders are cooked to perfection, simply serve them with your favorite dipping sauce or enjoy them as is! The choice is yours, and the possibilities are endless.
In terms of side dishes, our kids absolutely love to enjoy these chicken tenders with classic French fries. They especially love the fries we make in the air fryer. We’ve been using our air fryer quite a lot lately while our kitchen is being renovated, and it’s been a true lifesaver! It’s a quick and easy way to whip up crispy fries without all the extra oil.
If you are looking for even more inspiration, check out our Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken, Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Wings, and Air Fryer Whole Chicken recipes for more yummy air fryer recipes!
If you’re looking for a healthier option or simply want to add some greens to your meal, you can make a simple chicken tender salad by serving these crispy tenders on a bed of fresh lettuce. These breaded chicken tenders also go great with a side of rice, corn, or even raw broccoli. The versatility of this dish makes it easy to customize to your liking.
Can I Use Frozen Chicken Tenders?
If you’re using frozen chicken tenders, it’s crucial to ensure that they are completely thawed before dredging and cooking them. Otherwise, the bread crumbs may not adhere properly, and the chicken may cook unevenly. Proper thawing is key to achieving the best results.
Does This Recipe Freeze Well?
Absolutely! If you happen to have any leftovers, you can always freeze them and simply reheat them for a quick and easy meal another time. However, be sure to reheat them in the oven rather than the microwave; otherwise, they may end up soft and soggy. Oven reheating helps to maintain their crispy texture.
You can also easily double this recipe and make one batch for dinner tonight, and then freeze the extra batch for a future meal. If you’re planning to freeze some, make sure you allow the chicken to cool slightly at room temperature first. Then, place the cooked tenders on a plate in a single layer and freeze them for at least 30 minutes.
This helps ensure that they don’t stick together too much during the freezing process, which could lead to a mess when you thaw them out later. After the initial freeze, transfer the chicken tenders to a freezer-safe Ziplock bag for long-term storage.
Wine Pairing Suggestions for Chicken Tenders
Because these breaded chicken tenders share similar flavors and textures with classic fried chicken, I personally like to pair them with a crisp sparkling wine. The bubbles and acidity of the sparkling wine help to cut through the richness of the chicken tenders, creating a harmonious pairing. Or, you could opt for a light-bodied red wine, such as a fruit-forward Gamay.
But you could also go for a crisp Pinot Grigio or Pinot Blanc. These light and refreshing white wines offer a complementary flavor profile that won’t overpower the chicken tenders.
And for a non-wine option, consider serving them with a dry cider. The crispness and subtle sweetness of the cider make it a great alternative that complements the savory flavors of the chicken.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes to Try
- Dairy Free Marry Me Chicken
- Chicken Salad Sandwiches
- Immunity Boosting Chicken Soup
- Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken