Description
Oven Baked Chicken Tenders are a healthy and flavorful alternative to traditional breaded tenders. Coated with a savory blend of spices and baked to juicy perfection, these chicken tenders are quick to prepare, making them an ideal protein option for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2½ pounds chicken tenderloins
Seasoning & Oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chicken base
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400˚F (200˚C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the chicken tenders evenly.
- Prepare the chicken: Place the chicken tenderloins in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Drizzle the olive oil and chicken base over the chicken, then toss to coat the tenders thoroughly with the oil and seasoning base.
- Mix and apply spices: In a small bowl, combine paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and dried thyme. Sprinkle this spice mixture evenly over the chicken tenders, tossing them to ensure every piece is well coated with the flavorful blend.
- Bake the chicken: Bake the tenders in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165˚F (74˚C), indicating that the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Rest and garnish: Once out of the oven, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes. This helps the juices redistribute for moist tenders. Finally, toss the chicken with freshly chopped parsley before serving to add a fresh herbaceous note and appealing color.
Notes
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to maintain juiciness.
- You can substitute chicken base with chicken broth or bouillon powder if preferred.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice mix.
- Serve these chicken tenders with a dipping sauce such as honey mustard or ranch for extra flavor.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently to preserve moisture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: oven baked chicken tenders, healthy chicken recipe, no breading chicken, baked chicken tenders, easy chicken dinner
