Easy chicken tenders recipe

I think your whole family will adore the combination of crunchy chicken tenders with a sticky honey lemon glaze and a zesty ranch dipping sauce! It's an addictive mix of savory and sweet flavors, and you will have no trouble getting the kids to eat up these bad boys. They're also inexpensive to make at home.

These chicken tenders give fried chicken vibes, but of course they're significantly healthier since they're baked. Oven frying results in perfectly crispy chicken on the outside that's tender and juicy inside. I don't care how old I get, I'm always going to enjoy these.

What you'll need

For the tenders

Chicken - I used chicken fillets, but if they're hard to find in your area, you can simply cut up chicken breasts into 1 inch strips in a pinch.

Panko breadcrumbs - this is a Japanese breadcrumb that's found in the same aisle as the regular ones at your grocery store. They're lighter, crispier, and make a fantastic breading.

Milk - for a little bit of moisture

Egg - to bind everything together

For the glaze

Lemon juice - always use fresh lemon. We're using the zest as well to make it even brighter!

White vinegar - for a little tang

Garlic powder - who can resist a little garlic flavor?

Honey - for that delicious sweet contrast. It doesn't make it overly sweet, though.

For the ranch dipping sauce

Sour cream and mayo - for the rich creamy base and the signature ranch tang

Worcestershire sauce - gives a little extra savory flavor. I wouldn't skip it.

Lemon juice - adds a bit of acidity

Garlic powder - enhances the savory quality even more

Parsley - some chopped fresh parsley takes the sauce over the top with a burst of freshness

How to make chicken tenders

This is an overview, and full ingredients & instructions are in the recipe card below.

Preheat the oven to 425F. Prep two bowls, one with panko and one with the milk and egg mixture. Dip each piece of chicken in into the egg mixture, shake the excess off, then cover it with the breadcrumbs.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until they're cooked through.

Add the glaze ingredients to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let it bubble until thickened. Meanwhile, combine the ranch dipping sauce ingredients.

Dip the chicken tenders into the glaze. Serve immediately with the tasty ranch dip!

Can I make them ahead?

Yes! If you bread them and freeze them in airtight freezer bags or containers, you should be good to go for up to 3 months.

Just make sure to add a little bit of extra time to the baking time indicated in the instructions until the chicken is cooked through properly. Use an instant read thermometer to ensure properly cooked chicken.

What to serve with them

If the kids aren't a fan of the homemade ranch dip, you can totally serve these with ketchup, BBQ sauce, or even plum sauce. For adventurous eaters, this Cajun Remoulade Sauce is a winner.

It's great with a classic Simple Creamy Coleslaw Recipe or this Easy Broccoli Salad.

For picky eaters, French fries or Garlic Mashed Potatoes will be a hit.

Leftovers and storage

They will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge in a covered container, but they will definitely soften up, so I recommend eating right away.

For reheating, try 400F for 5-6 minutes until they crisp up a bit. You could also use your air fryer if that's more convenient.

I don't recommend microwaving them since the breading will not crisp up again using that method.