Description

These crispy chicken tenders are baked or fried to golden perfection and served with a smoky BBQ dipping sauce. The perfect weeknight meal or party snack.

Ingredients

1 lb chicken tenders or breast strips

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup panko breadcrumbs

2 tbsp cornstarch

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

2 eggs

Olive oil spray or vegetable oil (for baking/frying)

½ cup BBQ sauce (store-bought or homemade)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F or set air fryer to 400°F.

2. Set up a breading station: flour + cornstarch and spices in one bowl, beaten eggs in another, and panko in a third.

3. Dredge each chicken tender in flour, then egg, then panko. Press gently to adhere.

4. Let breaded tenders rest for 5 minutes to help coating stick.

5. Place tenders on a wire rack over baking sheet. Spray lightly with oil.

6. Bake 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway, or air fry for 10–12 minutes until golden.

7. Serve hot with warmed BBQ sauce for dipping.

8. Optionally brush BBQ sauce on tenders during final 5 minutes of baking for sticky glaze.

Notes

Use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour for a GF version.

Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 3 days.

Reheat in oven or air fryer to retain crispiness.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dinner, Snacks
Method: Baked, Air Fried
Cuisine: American