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Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Sauce

crispy baked chicken tenders with honey mustard sauce - featured image
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These crispy baked chicken tenders are crunchy without being greasy, tender on the inside, and paired with a tangy-sweet honey mustard sauce. A quick and easy weeknight dinner that’s healthier than fried and loved by everyone.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds chicken tenders (or boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips)
  • 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk mixed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice, let sit 5 minutes)
  • 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked paprika works great too)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
  • ⅓ cup Dijon mustard
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet and spray it lightly with cooking spray.
  2. Set up your dipping station. In one shallow bowl, pour the buttermilk. In another shallow bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir together with a fork.
  3. Dip the chicken. Take a chicken tender and dip it into the buttermilk, letting any excess drip off. Then press it into the breadcrumb mixture, coating all sides. Place the coated tender on the wire rack. Repeat with all the chicken.
  4. Lightly spray or brush the tops of the chicken tenders with olive oil or melted butter.
  5. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
  6. While the chicken bakes, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Taste and adjust as needed.
  7. Let the chicken rest on the rack for 2-3 minutes after baking.
  8. Serve immediately with the honey mustard sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

For extra crispy tenders, use panko breadcrumbs, don’t skip the oil spray on top, and use a wire rack on your baking sheet. If you don’t have a wire rack, flip the tenders halfway through baking. The buttermilk soak is non-negotiable for tenderizing and helping the coating stick. For best results, use fresh chicken, not frozen. If doubling the recipe, work in batches to avoid overcrowding the baking sheet.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken tenders, baked chicken tenders, crispy chicken, honey mustard, healthy chicken recipe, easy dinner, weeknight dinner, panko chicken

Find it online: https://snappyspoon.com/crispy-baked-chicken-tenders-with-honey-mustard-sauce-easy-healthy/