Crispy Homemade Chicken Tenders
Quick, budget-friendly, and crunchy chicken tenders made with pantry staples and cooked in a skillet for a perfect weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 pounds (700g) chicken tenders, fresh or thawed
- 1 cup (130g) all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1.5 cups (150g) panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil (about 1 inch deep) for frying
Instructions
- Set out three shallow dishes: mix flour, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in the first; beat eggs with a splash of water in the second; spread panko breadcrumbs in the third.
- Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Dredge each tender in the seasoned flour, shake off excess, dip into the egg wash letting excess drip off, then press firmly into the panko breadcrumbs to coat well. Place coated tenders on a plate.
- Pour oil into a large skillet to about 1 inch deep and heat over medium-high until it reaches 350°F (175°C) or a breadcrumb sizzles and floats immediately.
- Carefully place tenders in hot oil without overcrowding; fry in batches if needed. Cook 3–4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F / 74°C).
- Transfer tenders to a cooling rack set over a baking sheet to rest for 2 minutes to keep crispy.
- Serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
Pat chicken dry before breading for crispiness. Season flour and breadcrumbs separately for balanced flavor. Maintain oil temperature around 350°F to avoid greasy or burnt tenders. Rest tenders on a cooling rack instead of paper towels to keep crust crispy. Press breadcrumbs firmly onto chicken to prevent coating from falling off.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 28
Keywords: chicken tenders, crispy chicken, homemade chicken tenders, easy dinner, crunchy chicken, skillet fried chicken, weeknight dinner