Chicken tenders are a versatile and budget-friendly staple that can be used in so many quick and easy weeknight dinners. If you’re someone who buys chicken tenders often but finds yourself making the same few dishes, this article is for you!
As a busy mom who is always looking for new ways to use ingredients creatively, I’ve compiled a list of my 19 favorite recipes and cooking ideas featuring chicken tenders. With a variety of global flavors, cooking methods, and simple ingredient swaps, you’ll never get bored cooking chicken tenders again.
Easy Oven-Baked Chicken Tenders
The simplest way to cook chicken tenders is to coat them with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and spices and pop them in the oven. Baking gives you crisp, golden chicken without having to deep fry. I love to serve these with dipping sauces like ranch, barbecue sauce, or Buffalo sauce.
Chicken Finger Sandwiches
Chicken fingers aren’t just for kids! Pile crispy oven-baked tenders on potato rolls with lettuce, tomato, and mayo for an easy sandwich. Add cheese, bacon, or avocado to jazz it up.
Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
Slice chicken tenders and vegetables like peppers and onions into strips. Toss with oil, spices, and lime juice and roast everything together on one sheet pan for quick clean-up. Stuff into tortillas or eat as is.
Chicken Tender Salad
Chop cooked chicken tenders and toss with greens, tomatoes, shredded cheese, avocado, and your favorite dressing for a filling main-dish salad. I also love to add things like bacon, hard-boiled eggs, or croutons.
Chicken Tender Tacos
Warm corn or flour tortillas and fill with chopped chicken tenders, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, avocado, and a drizzle of Mexican crema. Add guacamole, salsa, or cheese for more flavor.
Chicken Tender Stir Fry
Slice chicken tenders into thin strips and stir fry in a skillet with vegetables and teriyaki or sesame garlic sauce. Serve over rice for a quick and easy weekday meal
Chicken Tender Wraps
Spread hummus, spinach or lettuce, chopped chicken tenders, shredded carrots, and cucumber slices on a tortilla. Roll it up for an easy, healthy wrap.
Chicken Tender Soup
Simmer chopped chicken tenders in chicken broth with carrots, celery, onion, and pasta or rice. Season with garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Finish with lemon juice and parsley.
Chicken Tender Kebabs
Alternate pieces of chicken tenders, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, mushrooms, and onion on skewers. Brush with barbecue sauce and grill.
Chicken Tender Pizza
Top prepared pizza crust with pizza sauce, mozzarella, and chopped chicken tenders. Feel free to add onions, mushrooms, or any other favorite toppings.
Chicken Tender Casserole
Mix chopped chicken tenders with cream of chicken soup, vegetables, and stuffing mix or crackers. Top with shredded cheese and bake until bubbly and browned.
Chicken Tender Enchiladas
Fill tortillas with chopped chicken tenders, enchilada sauce, cheese, and diced onion. Roll up and place in a baking dish. Cover with more sauce and cheese then bake.
Chicken Tender Pasta
Toss cooked pasta with chopped chicken tenders, pesto or Alfredo sauce, tomatoes, spinach or broccoli, and Parmesan.
Chicken Tender Pot Pie
Make a creamy chicken pot pie filling using chopped chicken tenders, frozen vegetables, and gravy. Spoon into a prepared pie crust, top with more crust, and bake.
Chicken Tender Quesadillas
Fill tortillas with shredded cheese, chopped chicken tenders, and diced onions and peppers. Cook in a skillet until the tortillas are crispy and cheese melts.
Chicken Tender Fried Rice
Stir fry chopped chicken tenders, vegetables, and cooked rice in sesame oil and soy sauce. Crack an egg into the rice towards the end for extra protein.
Buffalo Chicken Tender Wraps
Coat chicken tenders in Buffalo wing sauce then chop and wrap in tortillas with shredded lettuce, tomato, and ranch or blue cheese dressing.
Chicken Tender Kabobs with Peanut Sauce
Alternate chicken tenders, pineapple chunks, bell peppers, and red onion on skewers. Grill and serve with peanut sauce for dipping.
Chicken tenders offer so much versatility. With just a few simple ingredients like breadcrumbs, tortillas, rice, pasta, or lettuce you can transform chicken tenders into totally different dishes. Next time you have a pack of tenders in the fridge or freezer, try one of these 19 delicious recipes to liven up your weeknight dinner rotation. Your family will thank you for shaking up the usual chicken tender routine!
Let’s make this easy chicken recipe:
Remove the tendon from the tenderloin by grabbing it with a paper towel ( 1) and placing it between the tines of a fork and pulling down until it slides out and leaves the meat ( 2).
Place the tenderloins in a sealable airtight container and add the soy sauce, olive oil, spicy brown mustard, garlic powder and ground ginger ( 3). Put the lid on and shake so everything is evenly covered ( 4). Let set overnight OR just be sure to let it marinate while you preheat the oven.
Step 3: bake the chicken
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a baking sheet with olive oil spray or nonstick cooking spray. Remove the tenderloins from the marinade dish and add them to the pan in an even layer ( 5). Place in the preheated oven and bake for 15-17 minutes or until cooked through and no longer pink ( 6).
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. These are awesome for meal prep because they go with just about anything. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer.
Serve this with your favorite veggies, air fryer smashed potatoes or greek yogurt mashed potatoes. Cut it up and add to wraps, on top of a salad or sandwiches. Throw it inside chicken fried rice or leave as is and dip in honey mustard, ranch or bbq.
Yes! Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F. Arrange in a single layer and cook for 5-6 minutes on each side.
If you make this recipe, please leave a rating and/or comment! Tag me on Instagram @ohsnapmacros, I love hearing from you!
Ya Don’t Know Until Ya Dan-O: Blackened Chicken Tenders
FAQ
What are chicken tenders good for?
Chicken tenders are a good source of lean protein and provide essential vitamins and minerals, making them a versatile and convenient addition to a balanced diet.
What does soaking chicken tenders in milk do?
Soak chicken in milk: If you want super tender and juicy chicken, make sure to soak the meat in milk or buttermilk for at least 15-30 minutes prior to baking. The enzymes in the milk help break down the protein in the meat, creating a super tender result.
What is a good sauce to have with chicken tenders?
Try adding a little BBQ sauce, yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, or honey mustard, to change up the flavor. To add some heat try adding Sriracha, sweet chili sauce, spicy ketchup, or your favorite hot sauce.
How to eat leftover chicken tenders?
Serve with a favorite dipping sauce recipe – I love them with my jalapeno ranch dip, barbecue sauce, honey mustard, or ranch dressing. Add to salads like this wild rice salad – for extra protein and to make them a fuller meal. Add them to wraps, or sandwiches for an easy lunch.