Everything Bagel Baked Chicken Tenders
Welcome to a simple, crunchy, and wildly addictive weeknight winner: Everything Bagel Baked Chicken Tenders. These tenders are coated in panko breadcrumbs and Everything But The Bagel sesame seasoning, then baked until golden and crisp. They’re juicy on the inside, satisfyingly crunchy on the outside, and come together in under 30 minutes from start to finish. Serve them with ranch, blue cheese, ketchup, or your favorite dipping sauce for an easy dinner or snack the whole family will love.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Crispy texture with minimal oil thanks to baking, not frying.
- Bold, savory flavor from the Everything But The Bagel seasoning — it’s like a bagel and schmear for your chicken.
- Ridiculously simple: just three main components to coat and bake.
- Perfect for meal prep, parties, or busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- ▢½cuppanko breadcrumbs
- ▢2tablespoonsEverything But The Bagel Sesame Seasoning
- ▢1large egg
- ▢1 to 1.25poundsboneless skinless chicken tenders
- ▢ranch dressing,blue cheese dressing, ketchup, etc. for serving if desired.
Make-ahead and swaps
If you want to prepare ahead, you can bread the tenders and store them on a parchment-lined tray in the fridge for up to 4 hours before baking. For a gluten-free option, use certified gluten-free panko breadcrumbs. If you prefer a little more spice, add 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika or cayenne to the breadcrumb mixture.
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or a silicone baking mat
- Shallow bowl for the beaten egg
- Shallow bowl or plate for the panko mixture
- Tongs or a fork for dredging
- Instant-read thermometer (optional)
Step-by-step instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat to prevent sticking and promote even browning.
- In a shallow bowl or plate, add the ▢½cuppanko breadcrumbs and sprinkle in the ▢2tablespoonsEverything But The Bagel Sesame Seasoning. Stir until the seasoning is evenly distributed through the panko. This will be your dry coating.
- Crack the ▢1large egg into a separate shallow bowl and beat it lightly with a fork until the yolk and white are combined. The egg will help the panko mixture adhere to the chicken.
- Pat the ▢1 to 1.25poundsboneless skinless chicken tenders dry with paper towels. Drying the chicken helps the coating stick and yields a crisper final texture.
- One at a time, dip each chicken tender into the beaten egg, turning it to coat evenly. Allow any excess egg to drip off so the breadcrumb mixture doesn’t become soggy.
- Press the egg-coated tender into the panko and Everything But The Bagel mixture, turning and pressing gently so the breadcrumbs adhere well. Place the coated tender on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining tenders, spacing them evenly on the sheet so hot air can circulate around each piece.
- For a crispier finish, lightly spray or brush the tops of the coated tenders with a little neutral oil. This step is optional but helps achieve a golden crust in the oven.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your tenders. Halfway through baking, flip each tender to ensure even browning on both sides. The tenders are done when the coating is golden and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part reads 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the tenders from the oven and let them rest for 2 to 3 minutes on the baking sheet; this helps the juices redistribute and keeps them tender inside.
- Serve the Everything Bagel Baked Chicken Tenders warm with your choice of ranch dressing, blue cheese dressing, ketchup, or other favorite dips. These are great with a simple side salad, roasted vegetables, or fries.
Troubleshooting and tips
- If the coating seems to fall off, make sure the chicken is patted dry before coating and press the panko firmly onto each piece. A thin layer of egg is all you need — too much will make the coating loose.
- For extra-crunchy tenders, use a combination of fine and coarse panko or pulse the panko briefly in a food processor for varied texture.
- If you don’t have a baking sheet lined with parchment, use a lightly oiled sheet and flip tenders more frequently to prevent sticking.
Serving and storage
These tenders are best eaten the day they’re made, while the crust is at its crispiest. To store, place cooled tenders in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat on a baking sheet at 375°F (190°C) for about 8–10 minutes, flipping once, until warmed through and crisped up again. They also freeze well: freeze on a tray until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen at 400°F (200°C) until heated through.
Final notes
With minimal ingredients and big flavor, these Everything Bagel Baked Chicken Tenders are a reliable favorite for busy nights, casual gatherings, or lunchboxes. The Everything But The Bagel seasoning transforms plain panko into an irresistible crust, and baking keeps the process simple and a little bit healthier. Try them once, and they just might become a regular request.
Happy cooking, and enjoy your crispy, savory chicken tenders!
Everything Bagel Baked Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
- Combine the panko and Everything But The Bagel seasoning in a large zip-top bag and shake to mix.
- Crack the egg into a medium bowl and lightly beat with a fork. Add the chicken tenders and toss to coat each piece with egg.
- Transfer the egg-coated chicken to the bag with the panko mixture, seal the bag, and shake until each tender is evenly coated. Press any loose crumbs onto sparsely coated areas.
- Arrange the coated tenders in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between pieces.
- Bake for about 15 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway through, until cooked through and golden brown.
- Serve immediately with ranch, blue cheese, ketchup, or your preferred dip.
Notes
- Use a zip-top bag to make coating easier and less messy.
- Press extra panko onto spots that need more coverage.
- Flip once during baking for even browning.
- Serve with your favorite dipping sauce if desired.
