Description
These Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders are classic baked chicken tenders elevated with the bold flavors of garlic, onions, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds from everything bagel seasoning. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, they make a perfect family-friendly meal or snack served with your favorite dipping sauces.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Breading
- 1½ pounds chicken breast tenders
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ cup plain bread crumbs (can substitute with pork panko crumbs)
- 1½ tablespoons everything bagel seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Batter
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup milk
Finishing
- 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil spray
- Dipping sauces, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- Prepare Egg Mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg and milk until well combined; set aside for dipping.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In another bowl or plate, combine the flour, plain bread crumbs, everything bagel seasoning, and paprika to create the breading mixture.
- Bread the Chicken: Dip each chicken tender first into the breading mixture, then into the egg mixture, allowing excess egg to drip off, and finally roll the chicken tender in the breading mixture again for a crispy coating.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the breaded chicken tenders evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Apply Oil Spray: Lightly spray the chicken tenders with olive oil to help them crisp up during baking.
- Bake First Side: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes until the bottom is golden brown.
- Flip and Finish Baking: Flip the chicken tenders over, spray with olive oil again, and bake for an additional 8 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the tenders rest for a couple of minutes to lock in juices, then serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- For extra crunch, use panko bread crumbs instead of plain bread crumbs.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the baking sheet to allow even cooking and crispiness.
- Adjust olive oil spray amount depending on your preference for crispiness and oil content.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is safely cooked to 165°F.
- These tenders can be served with ranch, honey mustard, or mayonnaise-based dipping sauces for extra flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 4 oz chicken tenders)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
