These homemade chicken tenders are golden and crunchy on the outside, tender and juicy inside. Simple seasoning, easy breading, and a creamy dipping sauce make them better than takeout.
⏱ Time & Servings
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
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Cook Time: 12–15 minutes
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Total Time: ~30 minutes
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Servings: 4
🧾 Ingredients
Chicken Tenders
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1½ lb chicken tenders or chicken breast strips
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1 cup all-purpose flour
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2 large eggs
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1 cup breadcrumbs or panko
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½ tsp salt
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½ tsp black pepper
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½ tsp paprika
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½ tsp garlic powder
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Oil for frying (or baking spray for oven)
Creamy Dipping Sauce
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½ cup mayonnaise
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2 tbsp ketchup
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1 tbsp honey
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1 tsp mustard
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½ tsp garlic powder
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Salt & pepper, to taste
👩🍳 Instructions
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Prep Breading Station
Place flour in one bowl.
Beat eggs in a second bowl.
In a third bowl, mix breadcrumbs with salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. -
Bread Chicken
Dredge chicken in flour, dip in egg, then coat in breadcrumb mixture. -
Cook Chicken
Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Fry tenders 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
Drain on paper towels.Oven option: Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 18–20 minutes, flipping halfway.
Air fryer: 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes. -
Make Dipping Sauce
Mix all sauce ingredients in a bowl until smooth. Chill 10 minutes for best flavor. -
Serve
Serve hot with dipping sauce and your favorite sides.
🍽 Texture & Flavor
✔ Crispy, golden coating
✔ Juicy chicken inside
✔ Sweet-savory creamy sauce
✔ Kid- and crowd-approved
⭐ Tips & Variations
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Extra crunchy: Use panko breadcrumbs
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Spicy: Add cayenne or hot sauce to eggs
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Healthy: Bake or air fry instead of frying
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Flavor swap: Try ranch, BBQ, or honey mustard
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Meal prep: Reheat in oven or air fryer for crispiness
📊 Nutrition (Approx. per serving)
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Calories: 460
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Protein: 32g
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Fat: 26g
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Carbs: 28g
