Baked Chicken Tenders
Juicy oven Baked Chicken Tenders are marinated in plain yogurt with flavorful spices, and then dipped in panko flakes for a light breading.
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Baked Chicken Tenders
If you eat chicken as much as we do, then you probably like to experiment with different marinades so your meat doesn’t taste bland. The marinade is especially important if you go the healthier route and bake your chicken without the skin. I have just the recipe to liven up chicken tenders!
Those that have been following my blog for more than a few posts know that I’m a big fan of eating Greek yogurt and using it as a substitute for mayonnaise, sour cream, and adding it to baked goods like blackberry muffins or using it as a base in my smoothies.
Well….
Oven baked chicken tenderloins marinated in yogurt!
I did it again! I marinated chicken tenders in yogurt with a blend of flavorful spices and splash of fresh lemon juice.
The thick coating sticks to the chicken while tenderizing it and keeps it moist when baked. The panko flakes loves the coating too. It’s the perfect glue 🙂
Fresh out of the oven we ate these tenders with potatoes, broccoli and salad. I wish I would have saved some Tortellini Mac and Cheese when I made these. That would’ve been a great meal!
What to serve with chicken tenders
I know little kids love baked chicken tenders since they’re considered finger food, and you can eat them without using a fork (or was that only my house rule??).
They’re also super convenient to wrap them up in a tortilla with a bunch of veggies for lunch or a snack; more finger food. My favorite way to eat these is on a bed of green salad!
How about adding macaroni and cheese on the stove, simple potato salad or a fresh fruit salad.
I made this recipe so that I could have a lot of leftover chicken tenders to have different options like those I just mentioned. When someone says there is NOTHING to eat, challenge them to come up with something creative with these delicious pieces of chicken!
Baked Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 16 skinless chicken breast tenders approximately 1 1/2-2 lbs
- CHICKEN MARINADE
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 lemon juiced
BREADING
- 1 1/2 cups panko flakes Japanese style breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese grated
- 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 – 3/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- non-stick olive oil spray
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 300F°. Line two baking sheets with foil and lightly spray with olive oil cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl mix yogurt, garlic powder, paprika, Italian Seasoning, salt and pepper together well.
- Add lemon juice and fold in chicken tenders coating each piece with yogurt marinade. Refrigerate while mixing breading.
- In a shallow dish whisk together panko, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, chili powder, salt and pepper.
- Dip each chicken tender into the breading coating both sides and place on the baking sheets. Lightly spray the chicken with cooking spray. Bake for about 20 minutes. Broil if you want extra crispy topping one minute per side.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.
Hi there, I am planning on making this recipe this weekend, it looks awesome. Just want to confirm that the oven temp is 300 degrees.
Thanks,
Kim
Hi kim! Yes, the temp is correct. At the end of the time I like to boil each side for a minute like the instructions note. YUM. Hope you enjoy these chicken tenders.
I made these for dinner tonight with a side of broccoli cheddar soup. These chicken tenders are SO GOOD. This is the first time I’ve had chicken tenders that not only didn’t need to be dipped in a condiment (ketchup, mustard, etc…), but that I didn’t WANT to dip in a condiment because the flavor is so delicious. They were tender but crispy on the outside and the greek yogurt + lemon combination gave a light tartness that I have not had before but really enjoyed.
Will definitely make again and highly recommend!
Wish I had dinner at your house! Thanks so much for stopping by. I appreciate you!
Made tonight and the family enjoyed it very much. Fabulous tasting chicken! It’s a keeper! Enjoy!
Thanks for stopping by Ela! Appreciate the feedback.
I make your delicious recipe all the time! It is everyone’s favorite, especially the grands!!! Thanks so much!!
Thanks, Deb! Thrilled to hear this is also a favorite family recipe at your place too!
I have made your fabulous recipe a dozen times or more. Not only do our grands love it, but every adult as well. It comes out perfect every time. Thanks so much.
THANK you for sharing this! They are really tender and so many ways to serve these.
I can’t wait to try the yogurt! Did the tenders come out crispy?
Right out of the oven and broiled they’re perfect. My leftover tenders were not crispy. I had to broil again when I used them for a chicken parmesan dish!
Love this recipe! Totally going to bake some of these chicken tenders for my kiddos for lunch this weekend!
These chicken tenders would be a hit at our house! Thanks for the recipe Sandra!
I’m glad you like this recipe, Sarah! Can’t go wrong with chicken 😉
Your chicken tenders do look so tender. Coating them yogurt is a great idea to seal in the juices and get the panko break crumbs to stick. Baking is so much of a healthier idea then frying. Will pin this recipe so can try this recipe with my boys later. Take Care, BAM
Thank you, Bam! I hope these chicken tenders pass your boys taste test 🙂
Have you ever tried cooking them in the air fryer?
I have not cooked these chicken tenders in an air fryer, but I’m sure they’ll come out great!
Your chicken does look very inviting 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
These look wonderful, Sandra. I love how you marinated the chicken. With those ingredients the chicken must have wonderful flavour. And your panko-crust is full of ingredients too. These tenders must be very popular! xx
Me too, Joanne! I fed my kids these too.
Heidy, these are so simple to make. Perfect for busy evenings and want a good meal in under 30 minutes!
Beautiful post and some really good looking chicken in this one; great job!!
Thanks, Dan! I’m glad that you like this one!
I do enjoy a good chicken tender!!! Especially when it is healthy for me!
Yes, these are healthier than the fried chicken tenders, and you won’t miss the grease 🙂
These look absolutely wonderful. I have never marinated in yogurt but you’ve convinced me to give it a try.
Yogurt is a great marinade! I hope you give it a try. I love that the thick yogurt sticks to the panko!
I love making homemade chicken tenders – they are so much better than anything that comes from a freezer box! Your recipe sounds great. I love using panko and that hint of chili sounds great!
Thanks, Nicole! These Chicken Tenders came out moist and flavorful. Great to have ready to go for lunches too!
These look delicious! Love that they are baked & not fried. Yogurt is such a terrific marinade for chicken, so tenderizing!
I’ve only used yogurt as a marinade a couple of times. It’s the the best kept secret out there!
We eat chicken at least 4 times per week. This looks like one my family would adore!
Chicken is so healthy and cooks fairly quick. We eat it several times a week too! I hope your family enjoy this one!
Your chicken tenders look terrific, Sandra! I have a chicken kabob recipe that is marinated in yogurt…it makes the chicken so tender. I know I’d love your recipe!
Oh, I need to take a peek at your recipe. I’m totally sold on this new marinade (for me). Love how moist it keeps the chicken!