Homemade Chicken Tenders Quick and Easy! + video
Homemade Chicken Tenders Quick and Easy! + video
Chicken tenders are one of our weeknight dinners here. They’re easy, always delicious, and my kids love them!
These crispy chicken tenders are similar to our grilled chicken fingers, only they’re fried instead of baked. If you are a fan of delicious fried chicken for dinner, you will also want to try our fried chicken breast.
fried + homemade
These chicken tenders taste just like the ones you’d buy at a restaurant. They are breaded and fried in a little oil to make them taste amazing!
Oh yes – the kids love them too! They have become one of our favorite dinner recipes. We love having a bunch of different dips on hand to change up the flavors (like our homemade ranch).
This recipe always saves the day when I forget to plan dinner for that night. I usually have all the ingredients on hand, right in my pantry and fridge. Simple and fast – what more could you ask for?
These are also perfect for dining al fresco on warm summer nights! No utensils are required. Just your hands and your favorite dipping sauce.
How to Make Chicken Tenders
Prepare. Before you start, make sure to cut the chicken breasts into strips. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Beat your eggs and add them to the bowl. Put flour in another bowl and mix Panko with garlic salt and lemon pepper in a third bowl.
coat. Dip the chicken nuggets into the flour, then into the egg mixture, then into the Panko. Make sure you evenly coat the entire chicken nugget.
saute. Fry each piece of chicken in the oil for 4 minutes (or until golden brown). Place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Serve. Warm up chicken with dipping sauce! Ok! Totally craving these now.
Crispy Tips
saute. Make sure to fry the chicken until browned. You want the oil to be hot enough to fry them evenly throughout. Toss a little egg into the oil and see if it foams up – the oil is ready!
dry. To keep the chicken tender and crisp, dry them completely on paper towels. Nobody wants a soggy tender chicken!
healthy. You can even fry these bad boys in the air fryer if you want a healthier version. To do so, make as directed, spray with avocado oil and fry for about 10 minutes – flip at the 5 minute mark.
Tips, Tricks + Storage
decline: We have a long list of dipping sauces to go with our chicken tenders! Here are a few:
Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If stored properly, they should keep for 3-4 days. Heat it up in the microwave or warm oven for a few minutes! These leftover chicken tenders make a great lunch the next day.
freeze: If you want to freeze them, place them in a freezer-safe bag or wrap tightly in foil in the refrigerator. They should last up to 4 months.
For more quick and easy dinner ideas, try:
main course
American food
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total time 30 minutes
Serving Size 6
Calories 359 kcal
by Lil’ Luna
- vegetable oil
- 2 pounds chicken breasts, boneless, skinless, and cut into strips
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup flour
- 2 cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper
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Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
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Place beaten eggs in one bowl, flour in another, and mix Panko with garlic salt and lemon pepper in a third.
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Dip the chicken nuggets into the flour, then into the egg mixture, then into the Panko, making sure to coat the entire chicken nuggets.
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Fry chicken pieces in oil for 4 minutes (or until golden brown). Place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve hot with dipping sauce.