The best breaded chicken tenders! (2024)

These golden, crunchy Breaded Chicken Tenders are a super delicious, easy dinner. It's a dish the whole family will love! And, you can make a batch now and freeze some for later!

Chicken tenders are a staple on nearly every family restaurant's menu. The pan-fried dish is a favorite with kids and grown-ups alike. And for good reason: they're easy to eat, fun to dip, and delicious!

But you don't need to go out to have chicken tenders your kids (and you) will love! Restaurant-style breaded chicken tenders are so easy to make. And, they are so much better tasting than the ones you find at a restaurant.

Alain's Famous Breaded Chicken Tenders

This recipe that I am sharing today is known in our house as "Dad's Famous Chicken Tenders." It's my husband Alain's signature dish. The kids absolutely LOVE it.

He makes this recipe at least once a month in our house. Our kids gobble it up!

Great for kids (of any age)

My husband first learned this recipe as a teenager, while watching his mom make it. He started to make it for our kids a few years back. Now it's become one of the kids' favorite meals.

In fact, we've had to start to making extra because each of our little eating machines goes back for seconds, and sometimes thirds!

And if you have young kids at home, this is a great recipe that your kids can help make. It takes just a few ingredients, and comes together pretty quickly and easily.

How do you make chicken tenders from scratch?

These breaded chicken tenders really are as easy as one, two, three - literally. You just need two set up three shallow bowls, one for each of the following:

1. Flour dip
2. Egg dip
3. Bread crumbs

• Start by seasoning the tenders on all sides with salt and pepper.
• Then, dredge each tender in flour until it's coated all around.
• Next, dip into an egg wash consisting of two beaten eggs for every six tenders.
• Finally, coat the tenders evenly in bread crumbs.

The order is important, as each coating builds on the last one.

The flour helps the egg bind to the tender, and the egg helps the bread crumbs adhere to the chicken. Without the binding agents, the bread crumb coating would fall off during cooking. :(

Once each tender has been breaded, simply add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil to a skillet. Then sauté the tenders, cooking for about 5 minutes on each side on medium to low heat.

Cooking tips

Feel free to add more olive oil as necessary to maintain a coating of oil in the pan.

Also, be sure not to make the pan too hot, otherwise the breadcrumbs may burn.

What temp should chicken tenders be?

Just like most chicken dishes, you'll know the chicken is properly cooked when an internal thermometer reads 165°F degrees. We use this meat thermometer when cooking.

What should I serve with chicken tenders?

Once the tenders are cooked, simply serve with your favorite dipping sauce or eat as is!

In terms of side dishes, our kids love to enjoy these chicken tenders with French fries. They especially love the fries we make in the air fryer. We've been using our air fryer a lot lately while our kitchen is being redone, and it's been a life saver!

Check out our Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken, Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Wings, and Air Fryer Whole Chicken recipes for more yummy recipes!

If you want a veggie option, you can make a simple chicken tender salad by serving this on a bed of lettuce. These breaded chicken tenders also go great with rice, corn, and even raw broccoli.

Can I use frozen chicken?

If you're using frozen chicken, be sure to thaw the tenders completely before dredging and cooking them. Otherwise, the bread crumbs may not adhere and the chicken may cook unevenly.

Does this recipe freeze well?

Yes! If you have leftovers, you can always freeze them and simply reheat for next time. But be sure to reheat in the oven not the microwave, otherwise they may come out soft and soggy.

You can also double this recipe and make one batch for dinner tonight, and then freeze the extra batch for a future dinner. If you are doing so, make sure you allow the chicken to cool slightly at room temperature. Then, place on a plate in a single layer and freeze for at least 30 minutes.

This helps ensure they don't stick together too much when freezing, which could lead to a mess when you thaw them out. Then take the chicken tenders out and place into a freezer safe Ziplock bag.

What Wine Pairs Well With Chicken Tenders

Because these breaded chicken tenders have similar flavors and texture of fried chicken, I like to pair them with a sparkling wine. Or, you could pair them with a light bodied red wine, such as a fruit forward Gamay.

But you could also opt for a crisp Pinot Grigio or Pinot Blanc.

And for a non-wine option, consider a dry cider.

More yummy chicken recipes

• Chicken Salad Tea Sandwiches
• Immunity Boosting Chicken Soup
• Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings
• Air Fryer Popcorn Chicken
• Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken

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