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    Urban Bliss Life » Blog » Easy Breaded Chicken Tenders

    Published: April 5, 2020 / Updated: September 8, 2022 by Marlynn Jayme Schotland · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Easy Breaded Chicken Tenders

    315 shares
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Breaded Chicken Tenders
    Breaded Chicken Tenders

    These golden, crunchy Breaded Chicken Tenders are a super delicious, easy dinner. It's a dish the whole family will love! And, you can make a batch now and freeze some for later!

    Breaded Chicken Tenders recipe on UrbanBlissLife.com

    Chicken tenders are a staple on nearly every family restaurant's menu. The pan-fried dish is a favorite with kids and grown-ups alike. And for good reason: they're easy to eat, fun to dip, and delicious!

    But you don't need to go out to have chicken tenders your kids (and you) will love! Restaurant-style breaded chicken tenders are so easy to make. And, they are so much better tasting than the ones you find at a restaurant.

    Alain's Famous Breaded Chicken Tenders

    single breaded chicken tender

    This recipe that I am sharing today is known in our house as "Dad's Famous Chicken Tenders." It's my husband Alain's signature dish. The kids absolutely LOVE it.

    He makes this recipe at least once a month in our house. Our kids gobble it up!

    Great for kids (of any age)

    Breaded Chicken Tenders

    My husband first learned this recipe as a teenager, while watching his mom make it. He started to make it for our kids a few years back. Now it's become one of the kids' favorite meals.

    In fact, we've had to start to making extra because each of our little eating machines goes back for seconds, and sometimes thirds!

    And if you have young kids at home, this is a great recipe that your kids can help make. It takes just a few ingredients, and comes together pretty quickly and easily.

    How do you make chicken tenders from scratch?

    These breaded chicken tenders really are as easy as one, two, three - literally. You just need two set up three shallow bowls, one for each of the following:

    1. Flour dip
    2. Egg dip
    3. Bread crumbs
    • three bowls of breading for chicken tenders
    • breading chicken tenders in flour
    • dipping chicken tenders in egg wash
    • coating chicken tenders in breadcrumbs
    • frying chicken tenders
    • easy breaded chicken tenders
    • Start by seasoning the tenders on all sides with salt and pepper.
    • Then, dredge each tender in flour until it's coated all around.
    • Next, dip into an egg wash consisting of two beaten eggs for every six tenders.
    • Finally, coat the tenders evenly in bread crumbs.

    The order is important, as each coating builds on the last one.

    The flour helps the egg bind to the tender, and the egg helps the bread crumbs adhere to the chicken. Without the binding agents, the bread crumb coating would fall off during cooking. :(

    Once each tender has been breaded, simply add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil to a skillet. Then sauté the tenders, cooking for about 5 minutes on each side on medium to low heat.

    Cooking tips

    landscape pic of frying chicken tenders

    Feel free to add more olive oil as necessary to maintain a coating of oil in the pan.

    Also, be sure not to make the pan too hot, otherwise the breadcrumbs may burn.

    What temp should chicken tenders be?

    Just like most chicken dishes, you'll know the chicken is properly cooked when an internal thermometer reads 165°F degrees. We use this meat thermometer when cooking.

    What should I serve with chicken tenders?

    Breaded Chicken Tenders

    Once the tenders are cooked, simply serve with your favorite dipping sauce or eat as is!

    In terms of side dishes, our kids love to enjoy these chicken tenders with French fries. They especially love the fries we make in the air fryer. We've been using our air fryer a lot lately while our kitchen is being redone, and it's been a life saver!

    Check out our Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken, Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Wings, and Air Fryer Whole Chicken recipes for more yummy recipes!

    chicken tender salad

    If you want a veggie option, you can make a simple chicken tender salad by serving this on a bed of lettuce. These breaded chicken tenders also go great with rice, corn, and even raw broccoli.

    Can I use frozen chicken?

    If you're using frozen chicken, be sure to thaw the tenders completely before dredging and cooking them. Otherwise, the bread crumbs may not adhere and the chicken may cook unevenly.

    Does this recipe freeze well?

    Breaded Chicken Tenders

    Yes! If you have leftovers, you can always freeze them and simply reheat for next time. But be sure to reheat in the oven not the microwave, otherwise they may come out soft and soggy.

    You can also double this recipe and make one batch for dinner tonight, and then freeze the extra batch for a future dinner. If you are doing so, make sure you allow the chicken to cool slightly at room temperature. Then, place on a plate in a single layer and freeze for at least 30 minutes.

    This helps ensure they don't stick together too much when freezing, which could lead to a mess when you thaw them out. Then take the chicken tenders out and place into a freezer safe Ziplock bag.

    What Wine Pairs Well With Chicken Tenders

    Brooks Winery 2015 Extended Tirage Sparkling Riesling

    Because these breaded chicken tenders have similar flavors and texture of fried chicken, I like to pair them with a sparkling wine. Or, you could pair them with a light bodied red wine, such as a fruit forward Gamay.

    But you could also opt for a crisp Pinot Grigio or Pinot Blanc.

    And for a non-wine option, consider a dry cider.

    More yummy chicken recipes

    • chicken salad sandwiches Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches
    • bowl of Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup Immunity Boosting Chicken Soup
    • crispy air fryer chicken wings in a bowl with towel Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
    • air fryer popcorn chicken in bowl with two sauces Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken: Make Once, Eat Twice Recipe
    • Chicken with Creamy Sun-dried Tomato Mushrooms and Spinach Sauce recipe on UrbanBlissLife.com Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken
    Breaded Chicken Tenders: a family friendly dinner idea

    Easy Breaded Chicken Tenders

    5 from 4 votes
    Prep Time: 10 mins
    Cook Time: 10 mins
    Total Time: 10 mins
    Recipe by Marlynn Schotland
    A healthier option over fried tenders, these breaded chicken tenders are as easy as 1-2-3!
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 742kcal
    PRINT PIN RATE

    Ingredients

    • 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
    • 1 dash salt
    • 1 dash pepper
    • 12 chicken tenders
    • 1.5 cups flour
    • 4 eggs (whisked in a bowl)
    • 2 cups bread crumbs (be seasoned or unseasoned)

    Instructions

    • Add olive oil to a large skillet and turn heat to medium-low.
    • Lay out three bowls. Place flour into the first one, the whisked eggs in the second, and the bread crumbs in the third.
    • Season raw chicken tenders with salt and pepper.
    • Dredge each tender one at time in flour, then the egg wash, and finally coat in breadcrumbs.
    • Once all the tenders have been breaded, add to the skillet.
    • Sauté tenders for about five minutes on each side, adding more olive oil as needed to the pan. Be sure to watch closely so the breading doesn't burn.
    • Once the tenders are fully cooked (when chicken temperature reaches 165 degrees), simply remove from heat and serve.

    Notes

    If using frozen chicken, be sure to thaw the tenders completely before dredging and cooking, otherwise the bread crumbs may not stick completely and the chicken may cook unevenly.
    Tried this recipe?Please leave a star rating and comment! Then snap a pic of your dish and share it on social media. Tag @UrbanBlissLife and #UrbanBlissLife!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 742kcal | Carbohydrates: 75g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 260mg | Sodium: 643mg | Potassium: 772mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 283IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 6mg

    Nutrition information is a general estimate. Actual nutrition details may vary depending on the exact foods & brands you use to make this recipe. It does not take into account any substitutions, toppings, or optional ingredients.

    PIN IT:

    Breaded Chicken Tenders
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    315 shares

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Angie says

        February 17, 2023 at 2:58 pm

        5 stars
        My family is going to love this, and seems pretty easy.

        Reply
      2. WorkingMom says

        September 24, 2022 at 12:03 pm

        5 stars
        Easy, fast and my family loved it! Who could ask for more!

        Reply
        • Marlynn Jayme Schotland says

          September 24, 2022 at 5:05 pm

          5 stars
          So happy to hear you all loved it! Thank you for trying the recipe and leaving a comment! ❤️

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      Marlynn Jayme Schotland 2021 profile pic

      Hi! Thanks for stopping by! I'm Marlynn - a cookbook author, writer, photographer, and mom of two teenagers + a lovable lab retriever. Here you'll find my fast, easy, and delicious recipes, wine pairings, and travel guides. I hold a WSET 2 with Distinction in wine, and am a member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).

      More about me →

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