BEST Panko Chicken Tenders Recipe

Crispy oven-baked panko chicken tenders are packed with flavor, easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and the result is absolutely delicious.

📝 Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken tenders
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 Tablespoon hot sauce (I used Frank's RedHot)
• 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese (freshly grated is best)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• Cooking spray

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. 2Prepare your workstation: Line up three shallow dishes....: Prepare your workstation: Line up three shallow dishes. In the first dish, place the all-purpose flour. In the second dish, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, Dijon mustard, and hot sauce until well combined. In the third dish, mix panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried parsley, black pepper, and sea salt.
3. 3Dredge the chicken tenders: First, coat the chicken...: Dredge the chicken tenders: First, coat the chicken in the flour, shaking off any excess. Then, dip it into the buttermilk mixture, making sure it's evenly coated. Finally, press the chicken into the panko mixture, covering it completely and pressing down gently to ensure the breadcrumbs stick.
4. 4Arrange the breaded chicken tenders on a wire...: Arrange the breaded chicken tenders on a wire rack set over a baking sheet, leaving space between each tender. Allow them to rest for 10 minutes to set the breading.
5. 5Lightly spray the tenders with cooking spray, then...: Lightly spray the tenders with cooking spray, then bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F on a digital meat thermometer and the breading is golden brown and crispy. Chicken tenders can overcook quickly, so checking the temperature with a meat thermometer is crucial for perfectly cooked tenders.
6. 6Allow the cooked chicken tenders to rest for...: Allow the cooked chicken tenders to rest for a couple of minutes before serving with your favorite dipping sauce, such as honey mustard, ranch, or barbecue sauce.