Description
Crack Chicken Tenders are a juicy and tender snack featuring chicken pieces coated in a flavorful, crunchy crust. Easy to make with simple ingredients, this recipe delivers a perfectly crispy texture with a savory blend of spices. Ideal for family dinners, meal prep, or satisfying cravings, these tenders can be baked or fried to golden perfection and served with a variety of dipping sauces.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 lb chicken tenders
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour for gluten-free option)
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs (or gluten-free breadcrumbs for gluten-free option)
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional: substitute with Asiago or Pecorino cheese)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Binding and Cooking
- 2 large eggs
- Olive oil or cooking spray (for frying or baking)
Instructions
- Prepare the Coating: In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create the flavorful crispy crust mixture.
- Beat the Eggs: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs until smooth. This will act as the binder to help the coating adhere to the chicken tenders.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken tender into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Then dredge the tenders thoroughly in the dry coating mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks well.
- Cook the Tenders: Heat a generous amount of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the coated chicken tenders and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Alternatively, place the tenders on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and cooked inside.
- Let Them Rest: Transfer the cooked tenders to a wire rack or paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil and maintain their crispiness before serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature chicken for even cooking and better coating adhesion.
- Press the coating firmly onto each tender for maximum crunch.
- Maintain medium heat when frying to avoid burning while achieving a crispy crust.
- For extra crunch, double coat the tenders by dipping again in egg and coating mixture.
- Allow tenders to rest slightly after cooking so the coating stays crispy and not soggy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4-5 tenders (about 150g)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
Keywords: chicken tenders, crispy chicken, baked chicken tenders, gluten-free chicken, appetizer, snack, family recipe, easy chicken recipe
