Chicken fingers, also known as chicken tenders or chicken strips, are a delicious and kid-friendly staple that can be enjoyed by the whole family. When baking these tasty morsels in the oven, proper timing is key to achieving the ideal texture – crispy and golden brown on the outside while moist and juicy on the inside. With the right time and temperature, it’s easy to make mouthwatering baked chicken fingers.
Factors That Affect Chicken Finger Bake Times
Several factors impact the baking time for chicken fingers, including:
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Size and thickness – Thicker and larger chicken strips take longer to cook through Thinner tenders bake faster
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Breading – Breaded chicken fingers take a bit longer than unbreaded. The coating insulates the chicken slowing down cooking.
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Oven temperature – Higher heat decreases bake time. Chicken bakes faster at 400°F vs 350°F.
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Quantity – Baking a large batch takes longer than a small amount. More chicken raises humidity in the oven, increasing time.
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Arrangement – Evenly spaced tenders bake quicker than overcrowded. Allow space for air flow.
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Bone-in or boneless – Boneless tenders cook faster than bone-in cuts. Bones act as insulators.
Average Chicken Finger Bake Times
The typical baking time for boneless, skinless chicken tenders at 375°F is 15-18 minutes for unbreaded fingers and 18-22 minutes for breaded fingers. Thicker strips may take up to 25 minutes.
To ensure food safety, chicken should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. If unsure, use a meat thermometer to check doneness.
Here are estimated baking times for chicken fingers based on preparation method:
- Unbreaded, 1⁄2-inch thick – 15-18 minutes
- Breaded, 1⁄2-inch thick – 18-22 minutes
- Unbreaded, 3⁄4-inch thick – 20-22 minutes
- Breaded, 3⁄4-inch thick – 22-25 minutes
At higher temperatures like 400°F, baking time can be reduced by 3-5 minutes. For best results, flip the fingers halfway through for even cooking.
How to Know When Chicken Fingers Are Done
It’s important not to undercook chicken which can lead to foodborne illness. Here are some ways to test for doneness:
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Internal temperature – Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part without touching bone. It should reach 165°F.
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Color – Look for an evenly golden brown exterior.
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Texture – Fully cooked chicken will be firm when pierced.
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Juices – Cut into a tender and check juices run clear not pink.
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Coating – Breaded fingers will have a crispy, crunchy breading when finished.
Once chicken registers 165°F and shows these signs, remove from oven. The interior will finish cooking to 170°F+ during the resting period. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.
Tips for Perfectly Baked Chicken Fingers
Follow these handy tips for bake-off worthy chicken fingers every time:
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Pat chicken dry before breading for maximum adherence.
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Use light, even coats of flour, egg, and breadcrumbs when breading.
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Chill breaded fingers 20-30 minutes before baking for crisper coating.
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Grease baking sheet or use parchment paper for easy release.
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Arrange tenders in a single layer without overcrowding.
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Flip halfway through baking for golden brown crust all over.
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Brush with oil or nonstick spray for enhanced browning and crunch.
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Allow to rest 5-10 minutes before serving for juiciest interior.
Recommended Bake Times for Popular Chicken Finger Recipes
One of the best things about chicken fingers is how versatile they are. You can bread and bake them simply or jazz them up with fun flavors. Here are some estimated bake times for popular chicken finger recipes:
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Classic Breaded – 20-22 minutes
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Buffalo Chicken – 18-20 minutes
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Ranch Chicken – 20-22 minutes
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Honey Mustard Chicken – 20-22 minutes
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Parmesan Chicken – 18-20 minutes
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Southwest Chicken – 18-20 minutes
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BBQ Chicken – 18-20 minutes
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Teriyaki Chicken – 20-22 minutes
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Lemon Pepper Chicken – 18-20 minutes
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Cajun Chicken – 18-20 minutes
Bake times may vary slightly based on the recipe’s coating thickness. Refer to recipe instructions as a guide too.
Perfectly baked chicken fingers are a savory treat that both kids and adults love. Allow 15-25 minutes of bake time depending on size, thickness, breading, oven temperature, and other factors. Chicken is safe to eat once it reaches the FDA recommended 165°F internal temperature. For best results, flip fingers midway and let rest before serving. With the proper timing, you’ll enjoy tender and juicy chicken fingers with a deliciously crispy exterior.
Easy Recipe: Oven-Baked Chicken Tenderloins
Heres a simple recipe for juicy, flavorful chicken tenderloins:
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Optional: a pinch of cayenne for heat
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a bowl, toss chicken tenderloins with olive oil and spices until evenly coated.
- Place in a single layer on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure theyve reached 165°F.
- Rest 5 minutes before serving.
How Long to Bake Chicken Tenderloins
The time it takes to bake chicken tenderloins depends on a few factors:
- The oven temperature
- The size and thickness of the tenderloins
- Whether they are fresh or frozen
- Whether they are breaded or plain
- Baking Fresh (Unbreaded) Chicken Tenderloins
- Oven Temperature: 400°F (200°C)
- Bake Time: 15-20 minutes
- This is the sweet spot for juicy, well-cooked tenderloins with a bit of browning on the outside. Always use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- You can also bake them at:
- 375°F (190°C): 20-25 minutes
- 425°F (220°C): 12-15 minutes (watch closely to avoid overcooking)
If your tenderloins are breaded (think panko, flour coating, or store-bought frozen tenders), theyll need more time to crisp up.
- Oven Temperature: 400°F (200°C)
- Bake Time: 20-25 minutes
- Flip halfway through for even crisping, especially if you arent using a wire rack.
Forgot to thaw? No problem.
- Oven Temperature: 400°F (200°C)
- Bake Time: 25-30 minutes
- There is no need to defrost, but youll need to add 5–10 minutes more than fresh. Always ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Easy Baked Chicken Fingers | The Frugal Chef
FAQ
How long should chicken tenders be cooked at 400 degrees?
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. …
- In a small bowl, beat together egg whites, water and lemon peel. In another small bowl, stir together breadcrumbs and cheese. …
- Bake about 15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink (165°F), turning once halfway through baking.
Is it better to bake chicken tenders at 350 or 400?
Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400? You can cook chicken at either temperature. For juicier, more evenly cooked chicken, 350 degrees is better. However, 400 degrees will cook quicker if you’re short on time.
How long do chicken fingers take in the oven?
How Long to Bake Chicken Tenders. This recipe will produce perfectly baked chicken tenders in under 20 minutes in an oven preheated to 450 degrees F. When the chicken tenderloins are done, the juices will run clear and an instant read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F.
Do you bake chicken at 375 or 400?
- 400°F is the best temperature.
- The shorter it takes for a chicken to cook, the juicier it will be inside.
- A meat thermometer ensures the chicken is cooked thoroughly but not overcooked.