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A plate of golden, perfectly baked chicken tenders with a side of dipping sauce and a napkin, serving as the official recipe card photo for crispy chicken tenders without deep frying.

Best Crispy Chicken Tenders Without Deep Frying

Shatteringly crispy oven-baked chicken tenders with a double dredge panko coating that stays on and crunches no deep fryer, no oil splatter, no soggy breading. Works in oven or air fryer.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 3 minutes
Total Time 38 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Kid Friendly, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 312
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs Chicken Tenders about 10 to 12 pieces
  • ½ cup Buttermilk for soaking or milk + 1.5 tsp vinegar
Coating
  • ½ cup All-Purpose Flour first dredge layer
  • 2 large Eggs beaten
  • 1.5 cups Panko Breadcrumbs not regular panko is essential
  • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika divided between flour and panko
  • 1 tsp Garlic Powder divided
  • ½ tsp Onion Powder divided
  • 1 tsp Salt divided
  • ½ tsp Black Pepper divided
  • ¼ tsp Cayenne Pepper optional
  • - - Olive Oil Spray generous coating on top before baking

Equipment

  • 1 Rimmed Baking Sheet for catching drips
  • 1 Wire Rack fits inside baking sheet non-negotiable
  • 3 Shallow Bowls for dredging station
  • - Olive Oil Spray for browning the coating
  • 1 Instant Read Thermometer for checking doneness
  • - Paper Towels for drying chicken before dredging

Method
 

Prep and Soak
  1. Buttermilk Soak (Optional) Place chicken tenders in shallow dish. Cover with buttermilk. Refrigerate 30 minutes to 2 hours. The acid tenderizes and helps coating adhere.
    Raw chicken tenders soaking in a shallow dish filled with creamy buttermilk, highlighting the preparation step for crispy chicken tenders without deep frying.
  2. Preheat and Prep Pan Preheat oven to 425°F. Place wire rack on rimmed baking sheet. Spray rack with olive oil spray.
    A wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet next to a spray bottle of olive oil, demonstrating how to preheat and prep for crispy chicken tenders without deep frying.
  3. Set Up Dredging Station Bowl 1: Flour + half the spices. Bowl 2: Beaten eggs. Bowl 3: Panko + remaining spices.
    Three bowls arranged in a row containing flour with spices, beaten eggs, and panko breadcrumbs, demonstrating the setup for crispy chicken tenders without deep frying.
Coat and Bake
  1. Double Dredge Remove tender from buttermilk, let excess drip, pat lightly dry. Round 1: Flour (shake off excess) → Egg (drip off) → Panko (press firmly).Round 2: Back through Egg → Back through Panko (press firmly again).Place on prepared wire rack. Repeat for all tenders.
    Hands pressing panko breadcrumbs onto a chicken tender on a plate, demonstrating the double dredge step for crispy chicken tenders without deep frying.
  2. Spray and Bake Spray tops of all breaded tenders generously with olive oil spray. Bake at 425°F for 18 to 22 minutes, flipping at 10 minutes, until deep golden and internal temperature reads 165°F per USDA safe minimum cooking temperatures.
    Breaded chicken tenders baking on a wire rack inside a warm oven, illustrating the final cooking step for crispy chicken tenders without deep frying.
Rest and Serve
  1. Rest Before Serving Rest on wire rack 3 minutes. Coating firms and crunches more as it cools slightly. Serve with honey mustard, ranch, or buffalo sauce.
    Golden, perfectly baked chicken tenders resting on a white plate next to a napkin and fork, showcasing crispy chicken tenders without deep frying.

Notes

No buttermilk?
Mix ½ cup regular milk with 1.5 tsp white vinegar. Stir and let sit 5 minutes until slightly thickened. Works closely enough to buttermilk that the difference is minimal.
Air fryer method?
Same double dredge. Air fry at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping at 6 minutes. Slightly crispier result in less time.
 Make ahead?
Bread tenders through double dredge. Refrigerate on wire rack covered loosely for up to 4 hours. Bake directly from fridge add 2 to 3 minutes to bake time.
Gluten free?
Replace flour with rice flour. Use gluten-free panko. Same method rice flour coating actually reheats better than wheat version.
Reheat?
Air fryer at 375°F for 4 to 5 minutes best method. Oven at 400°F for 8 to 10 minutes on wire rack. Avoid microwave coating turns soft immediately.