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Oven Fried Chicken Tenders (Oven Fried Chicken)

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Oven Fried Chicken Tenders – crunchy, crispy and golden brown these oven fried chicken tenders are the best oven fried chicken because they taste just like fried chicken without all the extra fat!!

These Oven Fried Chicken Tenders are the best chicken tenders period!  You won't believe how I get them so crunchy and crispy just in the oven without all the extra fat of fried chicken tenders!!

FRYING CHICKEN: A FAMILY TRADITION

Oven fried chicken tenders aren’t really up my alley.  In my family, fried chicken is a staple.  It is a tradition that we don’t take lightly (literally and figuratively).  There is a right way to do it and a wrong way.  From an early age, I was indoctrinated into the proper way in which a bird is fried. So, needless to say, oven fried chicken is a new thing for my family.

Coming from a Southern family, learning how to fry chicken around the same time I learned how to ride a bike is not only considered normal but proper.  There is simply nothing better than the perfectly seasoned golden exterior hiding the juicy tender inside and hearing the crunch in every single bite.  When I fry chicken, I am serving love, and frying chicken tenders brings out the kid in me.  Who doesn’t love crunchy fried chicken tenders?

HOW TO MAKE OVEN FRIED CHICKEN

However, nowadays I try to keep things lighter.  As much as I want to devour chicken tenders every single week, I simply can’t for the sake of my thighs.  They have started to rebel against carbs and my beloved fried chicken.  I have found ways to get the same flavor I adore in fried chicken but in a more health friendly way.  I tried several different ways of oven frying in the past but some just don’t work for me.  I’m not a fan of recreating the crunch with things like cereal flakes and the whole nine.  Instead, I keep this oven fried chicken tenders recipe very similar to my fried chicken recipe using the same seasoned flour but instead, I spray the chicken down with non-stick olive oil or vegetable/canola oil spray and a couple tablespoons of oil.

Close up of Chicken Tenders - Oven Fried Chicken

I also create some cool crumb action by doing something I learned from the Pioneer Woman.  I add a drizzle of milk to my seasoned flour and then use a fork to create crumbs in the mixture.  It is such a fantastic trick, and I LOVE the results.  These chicken tenders are amazing, and I adore making them all the time.  I even bake them in a cast iron skillet just to give me that ole school fried chicken feel.  You won’t miss the hot oil at all after eating these. Note: this technique can be used with all chicken pieces to make all oven fried chicken.

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4.24 from 13 votes
oven fried chicken tenders
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Oven Fried Chicken Tenders (Oven Fried Chicken)
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
25 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 

Oven Fried Chicken Tenders - crunchy, crispy and golden brown these oven fried chicken tenders are the best oven fried chicken because they taste just like fried chicken without all the extra fat!!

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Southern
Keyword: chicken, classic recipe, kids, oven fried
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 189 kcal
Author: Jocelyn Delk Adams of Grandbaby-Cakes.com
Ingredients
  • 1 pound chicken tenders
  • 3 large eggs beaten
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 1/2- 3 tablespoons seasoned salt
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 teaspoons black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • Non-stick cooking spray
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • Optional: Lemon wedges for garnish and serving
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together eggs, hot sauce and worcestershire and set aside.
  3. Next add flour, seasoned salt, cornstarch, paprika, cayenne pepper, black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder to a paper bag and shake to mix well.
  4. Drizzle milk into the flour and use a fork to mix it into the flour and create crumbs.
  5. Dip each chicken tender into flour mixture and then egg wash coating both sides then dip back into seasoned flour thoroughly coating each piece. Then add piece to baking sheet to rest.
  6. Finish coating all chicken and let sit for 10-15 minutes until coating has set.
  7. While coating sets, add parchment paper sheets to cast iron skillet or baking sheet and liberally spray with non stick cooking spray.
  8. Add floured chicken to parchment paper and liberally spray the tops of chicken tenders with non stick spray and drizzle the tops of chicken with tablespoons of vegetable oil.
  9. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is cooked throughout. Serve with lemon wedges and sprinkle lemon on chicken if you wish.

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Note: this technique can be used with all chicken pieces to make all oven fried chicken.

Nutrition Facts
Oven Fried Chicken Tenders (Oven Fried Chicken)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 189 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 70mg 23%
Sodium 3275mg 136%
Potassium 210mg 6%
Total Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Protein 12g 24%
Vitamin A 5.6%
Vitamin C 1%
Calcium 2.1%
Iron 9.7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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Comments

  1. Kristen Cooley says

    March 22, 2019 at 9:13 pm

    I’ve made a few recipes for oven fried chicken before and this one is tops! Enough flavor, but doesn’t overpower.
    I accidentally forgot to put one chicken tender in flour first and there was a definite difference. Good to know now!

    Thank you for sharing the recipe!

    Reply

  2. Kenton B says

    July 26, 2018 at 5:59 pm

    These chicken tenders are AMAZING! I knew as I was mixing the ingredients that the taste would be sublime because my mouth was watering from the aroma. The real confirmation is that my family loved them and said these are 5-star quality!

    Reply

  3. Kelly says

    May 1, 2016 at 8:24 pm

    These turned out great! I used this recipe for chicken and waffles…the combination was not a hit with the family, but they loved the chicken tenders by themselves. They were really easy and delcious. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  4. Meghan says

    February 19, 2016 at 8:32 am

    I have never left a comment for a recipe before but HAD to for this recipe! Oh. My. God. This is the best chicken I have ever had! Ever. I couldn’t believe I made them. Better than any restaurant fried chicken and I live in Atlanta, home of the best restaurants with the best fried chicken! My husband thanks you, my picky 7 year old daughter thanks you, and I thank you!!!

    Reply

  6. Summer says

    October 18, 2015 at 3:19 pm

    I feel like you should know that you’re my new hero, I adore you and this recipe is amazing! Thanks so much for sharing it! (Also: I feel like an idiot as I’ve never thought of doing the milk/flour thing but it makes so much sense and worked perfectly!)

    Reply

  12. Tamia says

    September 3, 2014 at 11:12 am

    These look amazing! I love fried chicken as well, but I need a healthy alternative to frying. Will definitely be trying this tonight! I’m curious…does the chicken get soggy from being baked in the cast iron pan? I want my chicken to come out crispy like it is in your pics. I’ve heard people complain about oven-fried chicken being soggy and not as crispy.

    Reply

    • Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says

      September 3, 2014 at 9:20 pm

      I definitely don’t have a problem but I also use parchment paper underneath so you can also try that!

      Reply

  20. Jackie says

    September 1, 2014 at 9:39 pm

    Hi Jocelyn

    My my my oh I see you are keeping up with your new year’s resolution by posting savory foods. They look delicious, I love me some FRIED CHICKEN.

    Reply

  23. Arpita@ TheGastronomicBong says

    September 1, 2014 at 6:45 pm

    I love fried chicken…Can’t believe this is oven fried.. Looks so crispy and delicious!! Definitely trying this.. 🙂

    Reply

  26. Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says

    September 1, 2014 at 3:54 pm

    I love how food = memories 🙂 These oven fried chicken tenders look amazing…I can’t do the fried chicken thing either, for the same reason, and this looks like a great alternative. Love the tip with the milk in the flour, I will have to try it!

    Reply

  29. marcie says

    September 1, 2014 at 11:52 am

    My mom used to fry chicken all the time and I’ve never done it for my family. Shame on me! I need to learn from you and start frying, because the men in my house love fried chicken! I think I’ll start here and work my way up! 🙂

    Reply

  32. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says

    September 1, 2014 at 10:31 am

    Jocelyn, I love this!! “Learning how to fry chicken around the same time I learned how to ride a bike is not only considered normal but proper.” I would expect nothing less from a Southern gal .. BUT I love that you baked these. . I love frying at home but hate the clean-up and sometimes the smell/odor that’s left!!

    Reply

    • Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says

      September 1, 2014 at 11:16 am

      Ha thank you my dear! And I totally get you about that clean up. It can be a beast especially with so much other work to do.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. […] Oven Fried Chicken Tenders can be found on Grandbaby Cakes blog.  These chicken strips are MIND BLOWING!  We love us some fried chicken, but me no love to fry.  Frying is a pain, and by the time I’m done with the process I really don’t even want to eat…which is maybe a good thing.  Maybe I should fry our food all day everyday;  I’d be the only women that fried all her families food and was skinny. LOL.  Let’s call it the fry your family fat and you get skinny diet.  But seriously people you have to give these a try they are so good, and easy, you’re people will think you are the bomb-diggity. (photo courtesy of Grandbaby-Cakes.com) […]

    Reply

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