These oven-baked chicken tenders with no breading is an easy chicken dinner made in under 20 minutes. It is tender, moist, juicy and packed full of flavor.
The chicken tenderloins are seasoned with paprika spice blend, lemon pepper seasoning, and parsley and marinated for a while for an extra boost of flavor before being baked to perfection. You will love this easy recipe.
If you are like me and you are not a fan of breading and dredging, then this recipe is for you. Chicken tenders are often breaded and fried, but this healthier version is just as delicious and much easier to make.
Do you love a quick and easy chicken recipe? Try my air fryer chicken cutlets, baked thin chicken breast and air fryer chicken tender with parmesan cheese.
Why you will love this recipe
- Quick and easy delicious and satisfying chicken dinner
- Perfect for meal prepping: You can double or triple this recipe for lunch or dinner throughout the week. You can use these tender chicken tenders in wraps and salads or enjoy them on their own with any dipping sauce of your choice.
- It is high in protein, delicious, and, more importantly, no breading is needed for this recipe.
- Kid-friendly recipe: My children love this recipe even though it is not fried; the flavors are amazingly good, and even your pickiest eater wouldn't resist.
What you will need
Chicken tenders: substitute with chicken strips. You can make this by cutting boneless chicken breast into strips to be tenderloin-like.
Paprika spice blend: I used my homemade spice blend. It is a combination of cumin, smoked paprika, turmeric, oregano, parsley, onion and garlic powder. Substitute with any other store-bought or homemade seasoning you prefer.
Lemon pepper seasoning
Dried parsley
Olive oil: Substitute with avocado oil or any other flavorless cooking oil of your choice
Salt and black pepper
How to remove chicken tender tendon
This extra task is optional, and you can eat the chicken with the tendon still attached, although it might be chewy. You will need a fork and a paper towel to remove the tendon.
Place the tip of the chicken tender between two layers of paper towel, gripping it with your thumb and index finger. Place the fork in between the chicken and your finger and push down the fork into the chicken in one swift motion. It is very easy but can be a bit slippery, so you will need to have a good grip.
How to make oven baked chicken tenders
Preheat your oven to 400F (200C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and set aside.
Drizzle olive oil on the chicken tenders and season with paprika spice blend, lemon pepper seasoning, parsley, salt and black pepper. Mix until well combined, cover with a cling film, and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours if time is not of the essence.
Mix until well combined, cover with a cling film, and marinate in the fridge for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours if time is not of the essence.
Arrange the chicken tenderloins on the lined baking sheet in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping.
Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature registers 165F/74C when checked with a meat thermometer.
Transfer the chicken tenders to a plate. Rest for 3-5 minutes before you serve so that the juice can redistribute back into the meat.
Enjoy with other side dishes or on its own as a healthy protein snack with dipping sauce.
Watch how to make it
How long to cook chicken tenders in oven
15 - 20 minutes, at 200C /400F, depending on the thickness of the tenderloin and the temperature of your oven. Cooking time may vary, so it is important to use a meat thermometer to ensure that the internal temperature has reached 165F/74C for safely cooked chicken.
How to store and reheat baked chicken tenders
Let the chicken cool down completely before placing them in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Reheat in an air fryer or oven at 360F/180C for 3-5 minutes. Alternatively, you can also reheat them in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes.
Serve with
Garlic butter smashed potatoes
More quick chicken recipes you will love
Pan-seared boneless chicken thighs
Chicken with bell peppers and onions
Oven Baked Chicken Tenders (No Breading)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pound chicken tenders
- 1 Tablespoon paprika spice blend or any other seasoning blend of choice
- 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400F (200C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil and set aside.
- Remove the tendon from the tenderloins (optional) and pat the chicken dry with a kitchen paper towel. See the note below on how to remove the tendon.
- Drizzle olive oil on the chicken tenders and season with paprika spice blend, lemon pepper seasoning, parsley, salt and black pepper. Mix until well combined, cover with a cling film, and marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to 24 hours if time is not of the essence.1 ½ pound chicken tenders, 1 Tablespoon paprika spice blend, 1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 2 Tablespoons olive oil, Salt and black pepper to taste
- Arrange the chicken tenderloins on the lined baking sheet in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping.
- Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes (no need to flip) or until the internal temperature registers 165F/74C when checked with a meat thermometer.
- Transfer the chicken tenders to a plate. Rest for 3-5 minutes before you serve so that the juice can redistribute back into the meat.
- Enjoy with other side dishes or on its own as a healthy protein snack with dipping sauce.
Notes
Place the tip of the chicken tender between two layers of paper towel, gripping it with your thumb and index finger. Place the fork in between the chicken and your finger and push down the fork into the chicken in one swift motion. It is very easy but can be a bit slippery, so you will need to have a good grip.
Nutrition
Nutritional data: Please note that the nutrition label provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator. It will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use. Under no circumstances will thedinnerbite.com be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information.
And there you have it, a simple and delicious chicken dinner recipe you can make at home in no time. As always, if you made this recipe, I would love to hear from you! Kindly rate the recipe 5 stars and leave me feedback in the comment section below. Tag me @thedinnerbite on Instagram and save it to your Pinterest. Please subscribe to the blog if you haven’t for free new recipes in your inbox.
Jennifer Timmermeyer says
Love this recipe! So simply to prepare and bake. Absolutely de-lish!!
Ajoke says
Thank you so much, Jennifer. I am so glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the feedback.