10+ Chicken Tenders Recipes You’ll Love to Make at Home

Chicken tenders are a favorite dish for many people of all ages. They are versatile, easy to make, and can be enjoyed in countless ways.

You can create delicious chicken tenders at home using various cooking methods and flavorful ingredients.

Whether you prefer them baked, fried, or grilled, there is a chicken tender recipe for everyone. These tasty bites can be served as an appetizer, a main dish, or even added to salads and wraps.

Get ready to discover some mouthwatering recipes that will make your meals more exciting!

1) Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders

Garlic butter chicken tenders are a quick and tasty meal for any day. They are juicy and full of flavor, perfect for serving with rice or vegetables.

To make them, you will need chicken tenderloins cooked in a savory garlic butter sauce. This dish can be ready in about 15 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) chicken tenderloins
• 4 tablespoons (60g) butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
2. Melt the butter and add minced garlic.
3. Add the chicken tenderloins to the skillet.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown.
6. Garnish with parsley before serving.

2) Crispy Baked Parmesan Tenders

Crispy baked Parmesan tenders are a tasty option for dinner that your whole family will enjoy. They are easy to make and need just a few ingredients.

To start, you will coat chicken strips in a mix of Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, and seasonings. The cheese gives them a nice flavor and crunch.

Bake them in the oven until they are golden brown and fully cooked. This usually takes about 15-20 minutes at 400°F (200°C). Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce for a delicious meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken tenders
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• Cooking spray

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Coat each chicken tender in the mixture.
4. Place tenders on a greased baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.

3) Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders

Honey mustard chicken tenders are a delicious and simple dish you can make at home. They combine tender chicken with a flavorful honey mustard sauce. You can cook them in an air fryer or bake them in the oven.

To start, you will need boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You will also need honey, mustard, lemon juice, and some seasonings. Panko crumbs will add a nice crunch.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup mustard
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, mix honey, mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Dip chicken pieces in the sauce, then coat with panko crumbs.
4. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Enjoy!

4) Spicy Buffalo Chicken Strips

Spicy Buffalo chicken strips are a delicious twist on the classic chicken tender. They are perfect for game day or a casual dinner. The spicy sauce gives them a real kick!

To make these strips, you’ll start with chicken tenderloins. Coating them in flour, garlic powder, and a bit of spice adds flavor and crunch.

Bake them in a hot oven, about 450°F (230°C), for that crispy texture without frying. Toss them in your favorite hot sauce for a true Buffalo flavor.

Ingredients

• 1¼ pounds chicken tenderloins
• ½ cup flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons Frank’s RedHot Original Hot Sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. Set a wire rack on a sheet pan.
3. Coat the chicken in flour and garlic powder.
4. Dip the chicken into beaten eggs.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes, then toss in hot sauce.

5) Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders

Buttermilk fried chicken tenders are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The buttermilk helps tenderize the chicken, giving it great flavor.

To make these tenders, you will marinate the chicken in seasoned buttermilk. This adds moisture and taste. After marinating, you’ll coat the chicken with a flavorful mixture and fry it until golden brown.

These tenders go great with your favorite dipping sauce. Serve them with homemade ranch or a spicy sauce for an extra kick.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) chicken tenders
• 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup (120g) flour
• 1 cup (240ml) vegetable oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix buttermilk, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Add chicken tenders and marinate for at least 1 hour in the fridge.
3. In another bowl, add flour.
4. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat (350°F/175°C).
5. Take chicken from buttermilk and coat in flour.
6. Fry in hot oil until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
7. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

6) Sticky Honey Garlic Tenders

Sticky honey garlic tenders are a delicious way to enjoy chicken. The combination of honey and garlic creates a sweet and savory flavor that pairs well with tender chicken.

To make this dish, you’ll want to use fresh chicken tenderloins. They cook quickly and stay juicy. The sauce is easy to prepare and adds a wonderfully sticky coating that everyone will love.

Cook these tenders in the oven or on the stovetop for a crispy finish. You can also serve them with rice or vegetables for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken tenderloins
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Mix honey, soy sauce, and minced garlic in a bowl.
3. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
4. Coat the chicken with the honey garlic mixture.
5. Place chicken on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.

7) Crunchy Panko-Crusted Tenders

Panko-crusted chicken tenders are a delicious way to enjoy a classic dish. The panko breadcrumbs give them a light and crunchy texture that you will love. These tenders are baked, making them a healthier option compared to frying.

To make your crunchy panko-crusted tenders, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. The seasoning adds flavor, while the panko provides the perfect crunch. They pair well with your favorite dipping sauce.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken tenders
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Set up a breading station with flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in another, and panko breadcrumbs in a third.
3. Dip each tender in flour, then eggs, and finally coat with panko.
4. Place the coated tenders on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and crispy. Enjoy!

8) Cajun-Style Chicken Tenders

Cajun-style chicken tenders are flavorful and have a nice kick. You can enjoy them crispy and golden brown, perfect for dipping!

To make them, start by seasoning the chicken with Cajun spices. Common ingredients include garlic salt, paprika, and cayenne pepper. This mixture gives your tenders that classic Cajun taste.

Next, coat the chicken pieces in a mixture of flour and breadcrumbs for extra crunch. Then, fry them in oil until they are cooked through and crispy.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken tenders
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the chicken with flour and spices.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
3. Fry the chicken tenders until golden brown (about 5-7 minutes).
4. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

9) Italian Herb Chicken Tenders

Italian Herb Chicken Tenders are a tasty twist on the classic dish. You’ll enjoy the savory flavors of Italian seasoning combined with juicy chicken. These tenders are simple to make and perfect for a family meal.

To start, marinate your chicken in a mix of olive oil, garlic, and Italian herbs. This will infuse the meat with delicious flavors. Next, coat the chicken in breadcrumbs combined with more Italian seasoning for that extra crunch.

Bake the tenders in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes until they are golden and cooked through. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce for a tasty treat!

Ingredients

• Chicken breast tenders
• Olive oil
• Garlic (minced)
• Italian seasoning
• Breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, and Italian seasoning.
3. Marinate chicken tenders in the mix for 30 minutes.
4. Coat marinated chicken in breadcrumbs.
5. Place on a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper.
6. Bake for 20 minutes until golden and cooked through.

10) Lemon Pepper Grilled Tenders

Lemon pepper grilled tenders are a delicious and easy meal. You’ll love the bright flavors of lemon and the kick of pepper. Plus, they cook quickly, making them perfect for a busy weeknight.

To start, all you need are a few simple ingredients. Pair these tenders with a fresh salad or pasta for a complete dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken tenders
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. This is about 375°F or 190°C.
2. In a bowl, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper.
3. Toss the chicken tenders in the marinade until well coated.
4. Grill the chicken for about 8-10 minutes. Turn the chicken halfway through. Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).