Homemade Chicken Tenders (No Deep Frying)
These homemade chicken tenders taste so much better than anything you’ve had at a restaurant. There’s no deep frying, but good quality chicken is key.
If you order these from a restaurant, this recipe for homemade chicken tenders will knock your socks off.
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Once again, top quality ingredients are key–I cannot stress this enough. You can eat these as they are, put them on a bun if you want a really tasty chicken sandwich, or chop them onto a salad–the possibilities are endless!
I love them cut into slices on top of my favorite Aroma Cafe beet and goat cheese salad (a local restaurant.) Sorry for the terrible photo, it was from a long time ago!
Or in place of grilled chicken shown here on my daughter’s favorite kale salad!
Another easy chicken recipe you may enjoy.
Without further ado, the recipe for homemade breaded chicken tenders.
Homemade Chicken Tenders
Recipe by Christina Conte Serves 4
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Ingredients
- organic, free range chicken breast tenders (or breast, cut into pieces as desired)
- egg, organic, free range
- breadcrumbs (homemade, preferably)
- salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- thyme, fresh or dried
- (OPTIONAL: grated Parmesan cheese (the real stuff) if you want to make breaded Parmesan chicken tenders)
- light olive oil
Directions for Homemade Chicken Tenders
Beat the egg with a little salt and 1 tsp of water in a bowl, in which the chicken will be dipped.
In a similar bowl, place some breadcrumbs, add a little salt, pepper and the thyme. Mix well (add Parmesan cheese at this point, if using).
Place the chicken on a plate nearby the beaten egg.
Begin dipping the chicken, one piece at a time into the egg.
Hold the chicken against the side of the bowl for a second or two to let the excess egg drain.
Next, dredge the chicken in the breadcrumbs.
Coat evenly with the breadcrumb mixture.
Place on a tray, and repeat until all the chicken is coated.
Put approximately 3 tablespoons of olive oil into a frying pan, preferably non-stick (but not necessary) on medium high heat.
Place a few chicken tenders into the pan when hot. Cook until golden brown on each side and cooked thoroughly, adding oil as needed.
If in doubt, cut into a thicker piece to make sure it is no longer pink in the center.
Place on a paper towel lined plate, then place on serving plate or in a bowl.
These homemade chicken tenders are perfect as is, chopped onto a green salad or even in a sandwich with lettuce and some Buffalo Wing hot sauce!
And if you want to cook chicken breast in the oven, here’s a way to ensure it’s not going to end up dry and tasteless, from my friends at Diabetes Strong.
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Breaded Chicken Tenders, Homemade Style
Ingredients
- ½ lb chicken breast tenders (or organic, free range chicken breast cut into pieces as desired)
- 1 egg (organic, free range mixed with a pinch of salt)
- 1 tsp water
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (as needed- homemade, preferably)
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- ⅛ tsp thyme (fresh or dried)
- Parmigiano Reggiano cheese (optional, grated)
- 4 Tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Beat the egg with a pinch of salt and 1 tsp water in a bowl, in which the chicken will be dipped.
- In a similar bowl, place some breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and thyme and mix well (add Parmesan to this if using).
- Place the chicken on a plate nearby the beaten egg and begin dipping the chicken, one piece at a time into the egg.
- Hold the chicken against the side of the bowl for a second or two to let the excess egg drain.
- Next, dredge the chicken in the breadcrumbs and coat evenly.
- Place on a tray, and repeat until all the chicken is coated.
- Put the light olive oil into a frying pan, preferably non-stick and heat over medium high heat.
- Place some chicken tenders into the pan when hot, and cook until golden brown on each side and cooked thoroughly, adding oil as needed. If in doubt, cut into a thicker piece to make sure it is no longer pink in the center.
- Place on a paper towel lined plate, then place on serving plate or in a bowl.
Notes
- Make these gluten free by using gf bread crumbs and flour mix.
Nutrition
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Hi Christina,
thank you for sharing your delicious recipes. I have made your whole orange cake many times and it is a family favourite.
Could these chicken tenders be baked in the oven? We avoid fried foods for health reasons but I would love to try this recipe.
I’m very sorry to hear that the devastating fires are now being followed with more weather related conditions.
Warm regards,
Maria from Adelaide. (Australia)
Hi Maria, happy to hear that you love the orange cake! Yes, I would spray them with some olive oil before putting them in a hot oven, they also would work in an air fryer.
Let me know how you like them, CC