10+ Chicken Tender Recipes You’ll Love to Try Tonight

Chicken tenders are a popular and easy meal choice. Many people enjoy them because they cook quickly and can be made in many different ways.

You can bake, fry, or cook chicken tenders with different sauces. Chicken tenders are a tasty option that fits many tastes.

You can make delicious homemade chicken tenders with simple ingredients. Easy steps help you create chicken tenders that match your schedule and flavor preferences.

Ingredients

• Chicken tenderloins
• Salt
• Pepper
• Cooking oil or butter
• Optional spices or breading (like breadcrumbs or flour)

Cooking Instructions

1. Trim any excess fat from chicken.
2. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and any other spices you like.
3. Choose to fry, bake, or pan-cook the chicken.
4. Cook chicken tenders until they reach 165°F (74°C).
5. Let tenders rest a few minutes before serving.

1) Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders

Garlic butter chicken tenders are easy to make and taste great. You cook the chicken in a garlic butter sauce that keeps the meat juicy and flavorful.

This recipe only takes about 10 to 20 minutes. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and herbs like Italian seasoning or paprika for extra flavor.

Cook the tenderloins in a skillet over medium heat until golden and cooked through. The garlic butter sauce adds a savory touch that pairs well with veggies or rice.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken tenders
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
2. Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Add chicken tenders and cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F / 74°C).
5. Spoon garlic butter over chicken and serve warm.

For a full recipe, check garlic butter chicken tenders.

2) Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders

Buttermilk fried chicken tenders are tasty and simple to make. Marinate the chicken in buttermilk to keep it juicy and tender.

The buttermilk adds a tangy flavor and helps the coating stick. After marinating, coat the tenders in seasoned flour or breadcrumbs.

Fry the tenders in hot oil until golden and crispy. You can add spices like paprika, garlic powder, and pepper to the flour for more flavor.

These tenders work great as a snack or a main dish with sides.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs chicken tenders
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate chicken in buttermilk for at least 1 hour.
2. Mix flour, panko, and spices in a bowl.
3. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C) in a deep pan.
4. Coat each tender in the flour mixture.
5. Fry tenders in batches until golden and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes.
6. Drain on paper towels before serving.

3) Oven-Baked Crispy Chicken Tenders

You can make chicken tenders crispy by baking them in the oven. Coat your chicken pieces in flour, dip them in beaten eggs, and press them into breadcrumbs.

Use panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness. Toast the breadcrumbs in the oven before coating the chicken for a golden crunch.

Bake the tenders at 400°F (200°C) for about 15-20 minutes. Flip them halfway through for even cooking.

This method gives you tasty, crunchy chicken without frying. It’s a healthier alternative to fried tenders.

Ingredients

• Chicken tenders
• All-purpose flour
• Eggs
• Panko breadcrumbs (toasted)
• Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Set up three bowls with flour, beaten eggs, and toasted panko breadcrumbs.
3. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
4. Dip each tender in flour, then egg, then breadcrumbs.
5. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.

4) Hot Honey Chicken Tenders

Hot honey chicken tenders add a sweet and spicy twist to your meal. Start with crispy chicken tenders coated in a crunchy coating, then toss them in a sticky hot honey sauce.

You can bake or fry the tenders. Baking at 450°F (232°C) keeps them crispy without extra oil.

The sauce combines honey with chili or hot sauce for the right balance of heat and sweetness. This recipe uses common ingredients and is quick to prepare.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken tenders
• 2 cups flour
• ⅔ cup cornstarch
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 cup honey
• 2 tbsp hot sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450°F (232°C).
2. Mix flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, pepper, cayenne, and paprika.
3. Coat chicken tenders in the dry mix, pressing to stick.
4. Arrange tenders on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until crispy.
6. Heat honey and hot sauce in a small pan until warm.
7. Toss baked tenders in hot honey sauce.
8. Serve immediately.

Find more details on making this at The Golden Balance hot honey chicken tenders.

5) Tuscan-Style Chicken Tenders

Tuscan-style chicken tenders are full of flavor and easy to make. Season the chicken with herbs like garlic and parsley, then sear the tenders until golden brown.

Make a creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. This sauce adds a rich taste that pairs perfectly with the chicken.

You can serve this dish with pasta or a side salad.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken tenders
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried parsley
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 cup fresh spinach
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken with garlic powder, parsley, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and cook chicken for 3-4 minutes each side until golden.
3. Remove chicken and set aside.
4. In the same pan, add sun-dried tomatoes and spinach; cook 2 minutes.
5. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan; simmer until sauce thickens.
6. Return chicken to the pan and cook for 2 more minutes.
7. Serve warm.

For more on this dish, see Creamy Tuscan Chicken recipes.

6) Teriyaki Oven-Baked Chicken Tenderloins

You can make juicy chicken tenderloins with a simple teriyaki sauce in the oven. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and coat chicken tenderloins in teriyaki sauce.

Lay them out on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes. Turn them over and bake for another 10 minutes so they cook evenly.

Add garlic powder or black pepper if you like. This recipe is quick and easy for a weeknight meal.

Ingredients

• Chicken tenderloins
• Teriyaki sauce
• Garlic powder (optional)
• Black pepper (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Coat chicken tenderloins evenly with teriyaki sauce.
3. Place tenderloins on a lined baking sheet in a single layer.
4. Bake for 10 minutes, then flip each piece.
5. Bake for an additional 10 minutes until cooked through.

7) Spicy Buffalo Chicken Tenders

You can make spicy buffalo chicken tenders that are crispy and full of flavor. Coat chicken tenders in flour and seasoning, dip them in beaten egg, then fry or bake them.

Toss the cooked tenders in a buffalo sauce made from hot sauce and butter. For a lighter option, air fry your tenders without breading.

These tenders work well as a snack or with a salad or potatoes for dinner.

Ingredients

• 1¼ pounds chicken tenders
• ½ cup flour
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons hot sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) or heat oil for frying.
2. Mix flour and garlic powder in a bowl.
3. Beat eggs in a separate bowl.
4. Coat tenders in flour, dip in egg, then coat again in flour.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes or fry until golden and cooked through.
6. Mix hot sauce and melted butter in a large bowl.
7. Toss cooked tenders in buffalo sauce until coated.

8) Parmesan Crusted Chicken Tenders

You’ll love how crispy and cheesy these Parmesan crusted chicken tenders turn out. The chicken gets a tasty, golden crust from a mix of Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs.

Baking keeps the chicken juicy inside and uses less oil. This recipe is quick and easy, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or snacks.

Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce for a simple meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/3 cup plain breadcrumbs
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Dip each chicken strip in milk, then in beaten egg.
3. Mix Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs in a bowl.
4. Coat the chicken strips evenly in the cheese and breadcrumb mixture.
5. Place strips on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and cooked through.
7. Let cool slightly and serve warm.

For more details, check this Parmesan Baked Chicken Strips Recipe.

9) Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders

Honey mustard chicken tenders are a tasty and simple way to enjoy chicken. You can bake or air fry them to make cooking easy and clean up simple.

The chicken gets coated in a mix of honey, mustard, and a few spices. This gives it a sweet and tangy flavor.

Serve these tenders with a dipping sauce or enjoy them as they are. They work well for a quick meal or snack.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken tenderloins
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup mustard (any type you like)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. Mix honey, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Toss the chicken tenders in the honey mustard mixture until coated.
4. Place tenders on a lined baking sheet.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked through and slightly browned.

10) Mongolian Chicken Tenders

Mongolian chicken tenders are crispy pieces of chicken coated in cornstarch and fried until golden. Toss the fried chicken in a sauce made of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a little brown sugar.

The sauce gives the chicken a sweet and savory flavor. You can serve this dish with rice or steamed veggies.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken tenders
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon minced ginger
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• ½ cup water
• Optional: red pepper flakes for heat

Cooking Instructions

1. Coat chicken tenders in cornstarch.

2. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.

3. Fry chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set it aside.

4. In the same pan, sauté garlic and ginger for 30 seconds.

5. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, water, and red pepper flakes if you want some heat. Stir and simmer until the sauce thickens.

6. Toss the chicken tenders in the sauce until they are well coated. Serve warm.