These baked chicken strips are nice and crispy due to the Panko bread crumbs and the fact that they are fried right in the oven in a bit of melted butter. These are kid friendly and ready in about 30 minutes.
I’m the type of person that goes in spurts with foods.
For example, I never order chicken strips at a restaurant…until I do. And then that’s all I order for months at a time until suddenly, nope. I never order chicken strips at a restaurant.
Anyone else do that?I’m actually currently on a big dipping sauce spurt. I don’t care what the sauce is or what the food to dip it in is, but if I spot an array of condiments, I’ve gotta have it.
Current favorites include my honey mustard recipe, this keto ranch dressing (it is seriously the best ranch ever!), and fry sauce.
I don’t want to give the impression that these oven fried chicken tenders aren’t good on their own, because oh man, they really are. The coating gets SO crispy right in the oven with minimal work from you and the chicken is perfectly cooked and juicy, and these are just begging you to make them for your family.
It’s just a bonus that chicken strips are made to be dunked. 😉
How to make oven fried chicken tenders:
I call these oven fried, because they taste like deep fried goodness thanks to my secret ingredient, but you honestly just toss them in the oven and walk away. The best!!
First, you’ll want to coat the chicken in the good stuff.
Start by dredging your chicken strips in flour.
Dunk it in some egg.
And then press the strips into panko.
Panko is a Japanese bread crumb that comes out super light and crispy. You can find Panko in pretty much any grocery store these days.
You ready for the key to making these baked chicken strips taste like they were fried?
Butter. <— You knew I had to add butter, right? 😉
Just melt a stick of butter and coat the bottom of a rimmed sheet pan with it.
Pop your chicken right in that liquid gold and pop it all in the oven.
I bake these for 10 minutes, flip, and then bake for another 10 minutes.
Crispy fried chicken strips right in the oven!
What to serve with these panko chicken tenders:
Obviously, you’ll want one of the dipping sauces I mentioned up above, but beyond that there are so many options!
My kiddos love when I make chicken strips and this crockpot hashbrown casserole. It’s hard to go wrong with cheesy potatoes and I love how easy they are in the crockpot.
Loaded mashed potatoes, ranch roasted potatoes, and baked potato salad are more tater favorites around here.
It’s impossible to go wrong with this crock pot macaroni and cheese and broccoli cheese casserole is a nice way to get some veggies in the fam.
Oven Baked Chicken Strips
Ingredients
- 1.75 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup flour
- 8 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon pepper, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Melt the butter and pour it on to a large rimmed baking sheet, such as a sheet pan.
- Slice the chicken breasts into strips, each about 1 inch wide.
- Add the Panko and half of the salt and pepper to a shallow dish, such as a pie plate. Add the eggs to a second shallow dish and beat well. Add the flour and remaining salt and pepper to a third shallow dish.
- Dip the chicken strips in the flour, then egg, then Panko. Press the strips into the Panko to ensure the chicken is evenly coated.
- Add the chicken strips to the pan with the melted butter.
- Bake for 10 minutes and then flip each piece of chicken over. Continue baking for 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
Nutrition Information:
This post was originally published in November of 2013. It was updated with new photos in February of 2020. Original photo below:
Belinda @themoonblushbaker says
Yep pass me a plate please, Anything for crispy chicken without the deep fry. You should see me sleep, spreadd out and some timeseven falling out of the bed
Karly says
@Belinda @themoonblushbaker,
Haha! I would love to see that! 🙂
JJ says
I don’t even know the last time I slept until 8 or 9. My animals will not allow me to sleep past 5:30. Of course that also means I’m in bed by 9. Yeah I live the party life. Have you thought about a body pillow? Then there is no pillow case to worry about bugs crawling out of.
Karly says
@JJ,
I have thought about it…there is a pregnancy pillow that I really want, but I’m too embarrassed to buy it. Haha! Maybe I should talk my husband into another baby and that will give me the excuse? 😉
MrsSW says
LOL – buy it online. 😉
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
They look so good. I know the whole family would enjoy ’em! I love the fact that it’s super simple.
Karly says
@Melanie @ Carmel Moments,
Thank you!
Janet says
Yum! What’s the slurpy goodness they are being dipped into? Honey-mustard?
Karly says
@Janet,
Yep! I just mixed equal parts equal parts dijon and honey with a bit of mayo until it tasted how I wanted. 🙂
DessertForTwo says
Oh, Karly, it sounds like you and I have similar sleep patterns right now. Too much anxiety. Let’s drink more wine 🙂
I hope you don’t have to be a kid to eat these chicken strips, because I want them all!
Karly says
@DessertForTwo,
Sounds like a good plan! Wine always knocks me out. 🙂
marcie says
I love oven baked chicken and yours look perfectly crispy and delicious!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
My sleep schedule is out of control right now due to changing the clocks. I lost an hour and I can’t seem to get it back, hoping it will figure itself out and let me sleep a little bit more. Until then.. I’ll be waking up as usual!
These chicken strips are purrrrfect!
Karly says
@Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl,
Same here. It starts getting dark at dinner time and I’m ready to climb in bed!
Erin | The Law Student's Wife says
What a rough night!! I’ve found myself getting tired at 4:30 pm, because that’s when the sun has started setting here. Why do we do this whole time change thang again? Let’s discuss over oven fried chicken strips–these look FAB!
Karly says
@Erin | The Law Student’s Wife,
Yes! DST is the devil.
linda payne says
I know that sleep schedule & my dog never lets me sleep past 6 – 6 :30 on the weekends and no later than 5 during the week! Chicken looks perfect!
Karly says
@linda payne,
No one ever told me that a dog would be just as much work as a kid! Haha! 🙂
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain says
I swear with the weather change I have case of narcolepsy! Jeez. Thank goodness for delicious chicken tenders!
Karly says
@Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain,
Right?! It’s kind of ridiculous.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
you poor thing! Thank goodness for these chicken fingers because they look SO delicious and so simple!
Karly says
@Kayle (The Cooking Actress),
Thank you! 🙂
Nancy [email protected] says
These look simple and easy! Definitely something I can jump on board too! No standing over the stove frying up chicken (which I am not against but not always the time!)
Karly says
@Nancy [email protected],
Exactly!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious says
Sorry about your lack of sleep! And those bugs – I kind of share the same fear. Except I get worried that I’m going to eat them all in my sleep!
Now these chicken strips – love it! It’s a childhood favorite made healthy, which is definitely a must-try in my book!
Karly says
@Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious,
Well, now I have something new to be concerned about. 😉
Renee @Two in the Kitchen says
Your stories crack me up! I’m glad you keep your sense of humor while exhausted from lack of sleep.
I love “easy” for weeknight dinners. I love “easy AND “delicious” even more!!! -and so do my kids.
Karly says
@Renee @Two in the Kitchen,
Thank you! 🙂
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
Waking up at 5:00 is definitely for the birds. I wish I had the luxury of sleeping til 8:00 but I’ll take 6:00 as a bonus. 🙂 And I’ll definitely be making these for dinner tonight. I was looking for something easy but delicious and here it is!
Karly says
@Kim (Feed Me, Seymour),
6 sounds a bit early for me, but I guess if you’re okay with it… 😉
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
Ouch 6 am is too early for me and 3:30 is just torture. I would need something quick and easy like these chicken strips also.
Heather @ French Press says
I have died and gone to chicken finger heaven. My daughter complains about every single meal I prepare, but I don’t think she will say a word when I hand her these. My stomach is growling as Itype
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
Ugh, I hate being on little sleep. It changes me completely — I’m either a zombie all day or a complete you-know-what. Yours truly needs a full 8 hours to function. And maybe some (a lot) of these chicken strips. 😉
Allie | Baking a Moment says
Oh my gosh I do the exact same pillow-spoon thing. It drives my hubby crazy!
Julie @ Table for Two says
one of my favorite ways to have chicken!! the sauce looks killer, too! mmm you’ve got me craving chicken strips and sleep right now haha 😉
Magali says
Best oven chicken nuggets I’ve ever made! My boyfriend even came back for seconds…twice! They were amazing with homemade baked sweet potato fries 🙂
Mollis says
Thanks! Made these tonight and they were great. No complaints from my picky 10 year old. Lucky for me, no school for my kiddos tomorrow so it’s a 10:00am wake up!
Amy says
I want to comment on your snuggle pillow…I too have a snuggle pillow ON EACH SIDE! :). I use them to support my arms while I’m sleeping on my sides! It used to be a big stuffed bear, but then I found out that super soft pillows work great! I tend to toss and turn, but since I have a pillow on each side I don’t have to move them. I am so excited to hear that someone else uses a pillow like me and likes the open end pointed away from them! My husband claims it’s a barrier but that’s not true! I just sleep better with the support! I’m glad you shared that story! Oh and I will try the chicken strip recipe…I don’t have to cook much since my husband likes to cook, but every once in awhile I try something different! You can’t go wrong with homemade chicken strips!
Kristen says
I made these for dinner tonight – I never thought about using butter for baking them in the oven. Holy cow these were good 🙂 Thanks for the recipe, friend!
Karly says
@Kristen,
Yay! So glad you guys liked them! 🙂
Erin says
I sleep the exact.same.way. My husband does not appreciate the spooning pillow but it’s necessary.
And I am going to make this chicken – no doubt about it!
Angela says
Love the chicken strips, but to zip them up a notch, I added “Kick’n Chicken” seasoning and they were awesome!
Karly says
@Angela,
Awesome! 🙂
Chey says
Absolutely love the sound of these! Has anyone tried freezing them?
Karly says
@Chey,
I have not, but I bet they’d freeze perfectly!
Jessica @ Sprinkle Some Sugar says
LOL this post made me crack up! Also, these chicken strips look so yummy and baking them is so much better than standing over hot oil and smelling like it the rest of the night! 🙂
Fern says
I whipped these up today for my grand-nephew to enjoy while we have ribs for dinner. I’m sure we will all have a sample of them. I didn’t have Panko in the house so had to substitute plain/seasoned bread crumbs. I’m sure they will be enjoyed by all.
Karly says
@Fern,
Hope you all enjoyed the chicken strips!
Kelly says
I made these last night and were AMAZING! And I made some yummy honey mustard for dipping. It was crazy yummy! Thank you
Karly says
So glad to hear that!
Liz says
Yum to all your nice recipes. Thank you Karly.
sly bandit says
Waking up before 8 am is only done because corporations want their workers to do more at the workers expense so they get more profit =/ No way any CEO’s have to get up before 12.
Marguerite says
I’m Gluten free could I use something else for the flour and Panko? These look delicious and would like to make them.
Karly says
I would think you could use whatever you normally use as breading – some sort of GF baking mix, perhaps?
Marguerite says
Thank you for your quick reply
Melodie says
So freaking good! Thank you for that hilarious post and the delicious recipe! My kids and I thank you, Karly!
Karly says
Thanks, Melodie! 🙂
Dena Tucker says
Hi Karly, I just had to tell you, After browsing for a good recipe I came across these n made these chicken tenders later night for dinner. My husband who is picking in his compliments but eats most everything actually loved them, especially the dip n told me that he loved them! He saved the leftovers for lunch today n kept the remainder of the dip. The only difference was I didn’t have any Panko bread crumbs so I crushed up Keebler Club Crackers in it n it worked just fine! I added another tbsp of honey to the dip, what a hit it all was! So I wanted to let you know to thank you so much for the recipe!
Karly says
Yay! So glad to hear this! 🙂
Shelly says
Has anyone tried this in an air fryer? If so, what temperature and for how long?
Andrea Charles says
They look so delicious and perfectly cooked with extra crisp. You are the best to bring out something so delicious with the right proportion. I am going to try your recipe soon and I guarantee my family will be all praise for it. Can you please give the recipe for your dip as well? And what dip is it exactly?
Karly says
Hi Andrea! Hope you love the chicken strips! The dip is honey mustard.
Andrea Charles says
I never imagined that Chicken strips can be made so crisp and delicious by baking. I always thought it can only be fried and thus not very kid friendly. Thank you dear Karly for sharing with us this wonderful recipe along with your experience baking them through that well-detailed video. A big thank you from me as a mother and my children who are head over heals for it.
Noemi says
Absolutely amazing! This was a big hit. Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Karly says
Yay! Love to hear that!
Kathi says
Great recipe – will try it tonight in my Air Fryer. Thanks for posting.
Karly says
Hope you love it!