Get ready to transform your ordinary chicken tenders into a flavor explosion that'll have your taste buds dancing! These Everything Bagel Baked Chicken Tenders are the ultimate crowd-pleaser that combines the irresistible crunch of perfectly seasoned breadcrumbs with the iconic everything bagel flavor. Forget boring, bland chicken – this recipe is about to revolutionize your dinner game with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly greased aluminum foil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare three separate shallow dishes: In the first dish, place the flour and season with a pinch of salt. In the second dish, beat the eggs thoroughly. In the third dish, mix breadcrumbs with everything bagel seasoning.
- Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps the coating adhere better.
- Create a breading station by dredging each chicken tender first in the seasoned flour, shaking off excess. Then dip into beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off.
- Roll each egg-coated tender in the everything bagel seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating adheres completely and evenly.
- Arrange breaded chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring they are not touching each other for even cooking and crispy edges.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from oven and let rest for 3-5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute, which helps maintain moisture.
- Serve hot with optional dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or sriracha mayo.
Tips
- Pat the chicken tenders completely dry before breading to ensure a crispy, even coating that sticks perfectly.
- Don't overcrowd the baking sheet – give each tender some breathing room to achieve those crispy, golden edges.
- Use a meat thermometer to check that chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for perfectly cooked tenders.
- For extra crispiness, you can lightly spray the breaded tenders with cooking spray before baking to help them brown more evenly.
- Let the tenders rest for a few minutes after cooking to lock in those delicious juices and prevent dry meat.
- Experiment with different dipping sauces to find your perfect flavor combination – from classic ranch to spicy sriracha mayo.
- If you want to make these ahead of time, you can prepare the breaded tenders and refrigerate them for up to 2 hours before baking.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 280kcal
Carbohydrates: 18g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 110mg
