Finger-Lickin’ Good: How to Bake BBQ Chicken Tenders That’ll Make Your Family Beg for More

Are you tired of the same old boring chicken dinners? Looking for something that’s quick delicious and guaranteed to please even the pickiest eaters? Well, my friend, you’ve come to the right place! Today I’m gonna share my absolute favorite way to make baked BBQ chicken tenders that are juicy on the inside, caramelized on the outside, and so darn good you’ll wonder why you ever bothered with drive-thru chicken.

As a busy mom of three, I know the struggle of getting dinner on the table without losing your mind. That’s why these baked BBQ chicken tenders have become our go-to weeknight meal. They’re ready in about 35 minutes, require minimal cleanup, and taste like they came straight from a restaurant. Let’s dive in!

What You’ll Need

Before we start cooking, let’s gather our ingredients:

• 2 pounds chicken tenders (fresh is best, but thawed frozen works too)
• 3 tablespoons oil (olive oil or vegetable oil work great)
• 1½ tablespoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
• Optional: ¼ teaspoon black pepper for extra flavor

For equipment, you’ll need:

• A baking sheet or 2-quart casserole dish
• Non-stick cooking spray or parchment paper
• A basting brush
• A large ziplock bag (optional but helpful)

The Step-by-Step Process

Alright, let’s get cooking! These tenders are super easy to make, and I’ll walk you through each step.

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pan

First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F (though 400°F works too if you’re in a hurry). While it’s heating up, prepare your baking sheet or casserole dish by coating it with non-stick cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper. Trust me, you DO NOT want to skip this step! BBQ sauce gets sticky when it cooks, and this will save you a ton of scrubbing later.

Step 2: Season Your Chicken

This is where the magic happens! Place your chicken tenders in a large ziplock bag, add the oil, and massage it into the chicken. Then add your paprika, garlic powder, and salt. Give everything another good massage to ensure all the tenders are evenly coated.

If you don’t have a ziplock bag, no worries! You can do this in a bowl, but the bag method makes it less messy and ensures even coating.

Step 3: Arrange and Bake (First Round)

Dump your seasoned chicken tenders into your prepared baking dish, making sure they’re in a single layer. Don’t overcrowd them – they need space to cook properly! Pop them in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes.

Step 4: Add the BBQ Sauce

Here’s where things get exciting! After the initial 20 minutes, pull the chicken out of the oven. Using your basting brush, generously coat each tender with BBQ sauce. Be thorough but don’t drown them – you want the sauce to caramelize, not pool.

Step 5: Final Baking

Return the sauced-up tenders to the oven for another 10-15 minutes, or until they’re fully cooked through. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F at the thickest part. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, cut into the thickest piece – the juices should run clear with no pink in sight.

Step 6: Rest and Serve

Once done, let the tenders rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This helps lock in all those delicious juices. Then serve ’em up with extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping!

Tips for the Best Baked BBQ Chicken Tenders

After making these like a billion times (ok, maybe not that many, but A LOT), I’ve picked up some tricks:

• Don’t add the BBQ sauce too early. If you brush it on at the beginning, the sugar in the sauce can burn before the chicken is cooked through.

• For extra flavor, mix a tablespoon of honey or peach preserves into your BBQ sauce. It adds amazing sweetness and helps the sauce caramelize beautifully.

• Line your pan with foil or parchment for super easy cleanup.

• For crispy tenders, switch your oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Just watch them carefully so they don’t burn!

• Cut your tenders to similar sizes if they’re uneven, so they cook at the same rate.

Make It a Complete Meal

These BBQ chicken tenders are awesome on their own, but why not make it a complete sheet pan dinner? Here are some veggies that roast beautifully alongside the chicken:

• Potatoes: Cut into 1-inch cubes and add them to the pan from the start
• Green beans: Add during the last 10 minutes of cooking
• Broccoli: Add when you add the BBQ sauce
• Brussels sprouts: Add from the beginning with a drizzle of maple syrup

Pro tip: Place softer veggies like green beans around the edges of the pan where they’ll get better air circulation and roast more evenly!

Kid-Friendly Variations

Got picky eaters? I feel your pain! Try these variations:

• Honey BBQ: Add 2 tablespoons of honey to your BBQ sauce for a sweeter flavor kids love
• Crispy coating: Before baking, dip the seasoned tenders in beaten egg, then in a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and a bit of parmesan cheese
• BBQ ranch: Mix equal parts BBQ sauce and ranch dressing for a milder, creamy sauce

Storage and Reheating

If you somehow end up with leftovers (which rarely happens in my house!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, microwave for 2-3 minutes or until heated through to 165°F.

These tenders also make amazing lunch box fillers! My kids love cold BBQ chicken tenders in their lunches with some ranch dressing for dipping.

What to Serve with Your Baked BBQ Chicken Tenders

These tenders are versatile and pair well with so many sides! Some of our favorites include:

• Mashed sweet potatoes
• Cornbread or buttermilk biscuits
• Coleslaw or potato salad
• Corn on the cob
• Garden salad

Why Oven-Baked is Better Than Grilled

While grilling is great, baking BBQ chicken has some serious advantages:

1. No weather worries – Rain or shine, you can make these tenders!
2. More consistent cooking – No hot spots like on a grill
3. Juicier results – The oven’s enclosed environment helps lock in moisture
4. No flare-ups – No need to worry about burning your chicken (or your eyebrows!)
5. Less attention needed – Pop ’em in the oven and set a timer instead of standing over a hot grill

Baked BBQ chicken tenders are one of those miracle recipes that check all the boxes: easy, quick, affordable, and crowd-pleasing. Whether you’re feeding hungry kids after soccer practice or hosting a casual dinner with friends, these tenders will never let you down.

The best part? This recipe is totally customizable. Use your favorite BBQ sauce, adjust the seasonings to your taste, and make it your own. Trust me, once you master these baked BBQ chicken tenders, they’ll become a regular in your dinner rotation.

So what are you waiting for? Grab those chicken tenders and get baking! Your family’s new favorite dinner awaits!

Do you have a favorite way to serve BBQ chicken tenders? Share your ideas in the comments below!