These homemade breaded 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 like chicken tenders from a restaurant, these will knock your socks off. Believe it or not, they’re not deep fried.
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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!
Another easy chicken recipe you may enjoy.
Without further ado, the recipe for homemade breaded chicken tenders.
Homemade Breaded Chicken Tenders
- 1 lb organic, free range chicken breast tenders (or breast, cut into pieces as desired)
- 1 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
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)
- parmesan (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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Dear Christina, these are a family favorite. I know they would not last long at my dinner table…sounds and looks delicious! xo, Catherine
Thanks so much, Catherine! CC
These look beyond delicious. I am a huge fried chicken fan, this looks like a way to eat wonderful fried chicken without worrying about the bones – I love the thought of that!
These look soooo much better than anything you’d buy pre-done, and I love that they’re not deep fried!
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Thank you for this recipe it helped me make a great dish that my family loved and my mom loved for Mother’s Day! You helped make my vision complete :) Thanks!!
How wonderful to hear that this recipe helped out for your Mother’s Day meal!! That’s so nice of you to let me know, Jules!
Thank you, and hope you continue to check back, CC :)
Thank you so much!! They’ll love them; please let me know how they turn out! :) CC
This looks fantastic! Your step by step pics are great! My kids love to make their own chicken dippers, I think I’ll get them to follow your instructions this weekend! Your latest follower! xx