Oven Baked Chicken Tenders
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
Use simple ingredients to make the best ever Oven Baked Chicken Tenders. These simple gluten free chicken tenders are perfect for kids and the young at heart.
Skip the frozen chicken tenders and make these gluten free chicken tenders with 7 simple ingredients
Chicken tenders with honey mustard sauce are my #1 comfort food. When I am upset or stressed out I have a hard time eating anything, but I can ALWAYS eat that.
I used to buy the frozen chicken fingers from the grocery store and I do still love them, BUT I wanted to make a homemade chicken strips recipe with simpler ingredients.
In my opinion these homemade chicken tenders have all of the flavor of the store bought ones, but without all of the extra ingredients.
What kitchen tools will I need to make these Oven Baked Chicken Tenders?
Why should I use a wire baking rack to bake these chicken tenders in the oven? What if I don’t have one?
I find that baking these chicken tenders on a wire rack on a baking sheet gives them a more even bake and allows them to crisp on all sides. If you don’t have a wire rack to bake on, do not worry.
Just bake the breaded chicken tenders on a baking sheet, but take them out half way through baking a flip them.
What ingredients will I need to make these healthy baked chicken tenders?
You will be amazed at how easy it is to make these oven baked chicken tenders at home with simple, grain free ingredients.
- Boneless skinless chicken breast tenderloins – If you cannot find chicken tenderloins, you can buy boneless skinless chicken breasts and cut them into tenders.
- Egg
- Almond flour
- Grated parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Smoked paprika
You can customize this chicken recipe to include other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder and dried herbs.
Can I make these chicken tenders dairy free?
Yes! While I think the parmesan cheese enhances the flavor of these homemade chicken tenders, you can certainly make them without it.
Just use 1 full cup of almond flour and none of the parmesan cheese. Mix the spices in with the almond flour and continue the recipe as written.
Let’s make Oven Baked Chicken Tenders!
Step 1: Prep breading station
To begin, preheat oven to 450F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on the baking sheet. Then, whisk the egg in a shallow bowl.
In a separate shallow bowl combine the almond flour, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and smoked paprika.
Step 2: Bread chicken tenders
Then, bread the chicken tenders by dipping them in the egg mixture then pressing into the almond flour mixture. Next, place each tender on the wire rack on the prepared baking sheet.
Step 3: Bake chicken tenders in the oven until Golden brown
Once all tenders are breaded, spray on both sides with a spray oil – I used avocado oil. Then, place in the oven to back at 450F for 13 minutes.
Then, after 13 minutes, increase the oven heat to a broil without removing the tenders from the oven. Leave the tenders to cook for 3 mores minutes and then remove from the tenders from the oven.
The internal temperature should be at least 165F. Finally, allow the chicken tenders to cool slightly and enjoy!
Step 4: Enjoy!
How long will these chicken tenders keep in the fridge?
Once prepared, allow the tenders too cool completely then store in an airtight container. Keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
It is best to reheat these chicken tenders in the oven or air fryer to keep them crispy.
Serving these crispy chicken fingers with your favorite sauce!
I like to serve them with a homemade honey mustard sauce and french fries, but any of the following sauces would be perfect!
You can find the full recipe below. If you make this recipe, please rate and review it in the comments, or share it with me on Instagram!
Oven Baked Chicken Tenders
Simple gluten free oven baked chicken tenders
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken tenderloins (or breasts cut into tenders)
- 1 egg
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- Spray oil – I used avocado oil
** for dairy free chicken tenders use 1 cup almond flour and omit the parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire rack on the baking sheet
- Whisk the egg in a shallow bowl
- In a separate shallow bowl combine the almond flour, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper and smoked paprika
- Bread the chicken tenders by dipping them in the egg then pressing into the almond flour mixture
- Place on the wire rack on the baking sheet
- Once all tenders are breaded, spray on both sides with a spray oil – I used avocado
- Place in the oven to back at 450F for 13 minutes
- After 13 minutes, increase the oven heat to a broil without removing the tenders from the oven
- Leave the tenders to cook for 3 mores minutes and then remove from the tenders from the oven
- The internal temperature should be at least 165F
- Allow the chicken tenders to cool slightly and enjoy!
Tara Durkot says
Made this tonight for my family and everyone loved it. It was easy enough and we will likely always have the ingredients on hand so definitely will add this into the rotation. We made the chik-fil-a dipping sauce to accompany it and loved that as well! Thank you!
★★★★★
Madeline says
amazing!! Thank you!!
Carly says
Who knew adding some spices and baking almond flour chicken tenders could make SUCH a difference?! Made the ones without dairy and still came out delicious! You must make these! Quick prep time and cook time! These are a new favorite in our house! Thank you so much!
★★★★★
Madeline says
Aw thank you!! This makes me so happy!!
Alicia says
Love these! So easy and my toddler even ate them!
★★★★★
Madeline says
oh thats so great!! Thank you!!
Morgan says
Holy moly. These babies are out of this world! Never would I have thought to use smoked paprika (it’s a very strong smell!) but good lord does it make the world of difference!! I forgot to spray the last round I made with oil before baking – don’t make that mistake!! These are incredible!!!
★★★★★
Madeline says
oo yes definitely make sure you spray. SO glad you enjoyed them!! thank you!!
Jenna says
I always gauge my family’s reaction to the healthier recipes I make and these were a total win! My dad taste tested to make sure the chicken was fully cooked and he said they were delicious— and I agree 🙂 so perfect for a football sunday.
★★★★★
Madeline says
Love that! THank you!!
Bethany says
Made this for dinner tonight and everyone loved them, even my son who is a picky eater. Thank you!
★★★★★
Claire says
The best addition to any salad!!
★★★★★
Madeline says
Love it! Thanks Claire!
Claire says
Very delicious recipe! My tenders didn’t come out as pretty…maybe because my parmesan wasn’t as finely grated, but would 10/10 make again. Love an easy quick prep dinner. I roasted some brussel sprouts on the other oven rack while the tenders baked.
★★★★★
Erin says
My go-to way to make chicken tenders!
★★★★★
Madeline says
yay thanks Erin!
Gina Lockwood says
Love this quick and easy recipe! It’s also delicious and grandkids loved it too! Definitely will make again for extras to have to cut up for salads.
★★★★★
Madeline says
thanks Gina! love when littles like my recipes!
Renee Aguilar says
Yummy! The whole family enjoyed it & asked me to make it again soon!
★★★★
Mary Henderson says
The family and I loved these!
I put them directly on the pan and flipped them half way through. Turned out just right!
★★★★★
Madeline says
thanks Mary! so glad the whole fam loved it