If you’re craving a crispy, flavorful twist on classic chicken tenders, this Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a simple way to bring bold, savory flavors into a family favorite that’s baked—not fried!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I absolutely adore how this recipe transforms simple chicken tenders into something bursting with the crunchy, garlicky goodness of everything bagel seasoning. Baking them keeps it lighter, so you can indulge without the guilt!
- Flavor Packed: The everything bagel seasoning adds garlic, onion, sesame, and poppy seed crunch that you won’t find in your typical tenders.
- Easy to Make: Simple pantry staples come together in about 30 minutes for a stress-free meal.
- Healthy Twist: Baking means less oil and mess compared to frying, making it a family-friendly choice.
- Versatile: Perfect on their own or dipped in your favorite sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or BBQ.
Ingredients & Why They Work
As you gather what you need, I recommend fresh chicken tenders for tenderness, along with a flavorful everything bagel seasoning blend—either store-bought or homemade for that ultimate punch. Using panko bread crumbs really helps achieve a perfect crispy texture.
- Chicken breast tenders: Tender, lean, and cooks quickly; perfect for a kid-friendly meal.
- Flour: Helps the breading stick and adds a delicate crust.
- Plain bread crumbs (or pork panko crumbs): Panko crumbs create extra crispiness; plain crumbs add traditional texture.
- Everything bagel seasoning blend: The star of the recipe—with garlic, onion, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds to pack in bold flavor.
- Paprika: Adds smoky warmth and lovely color to the breading.
- Egg: Acts as the binding agent to hold the breading on firmly.
- Milk: Thins the egg mixture for even coating.
- Olive oil spray: Helps the breading crisp up beautifully without deep frying.
- Dipping sauces: Your choice—ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue to elevate the experience.
Make It Your Way
One of the best things about this Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders Recipe is how easy it is to customize it to your tastes and dietary needs. Whether you love a little extra crunch, want to spice things up, or need a gluten-free option, these tenders are ready to adapt.
- Gluten-Free Twist: Swap out the flour and bread crumbs for your favorite gluten-free alternatives. I’ve tried almond flour and gluten-free panko, and the tenders still come out crispy and delicious.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the breading mix. This variation gives the tenders a nice little heat that pairs well with ranch or honey mustard dipping sauces.
- Herb-Enhanced: Mix in chopped fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme into the breading for a fragrant boost. It’s a subtle change that elevates the overall flavor beautifully.
- Air Fryer Option: For an even quicker crispy finish, you can cook these tenders in an air fryer at 400°F for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through. Just remember to spray them lightly with olive oil for that perfect crust.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Your Space
Start by setting your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit — this high temperature ensures your tenders get that golden, crispy exterior without drying out inside. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil to make cleanup a breeze and to prevent sticking. Trust me, this little prep step saves you time and frustration later.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Egg and Milk
In a medium bowl, whisk one large egg with ¼ cup of milk until fully combined. This wet mixture is key for helping the breading adhere to the chicken tenders, so don’t skip this step! Set it aside while you prep the breading mixture.
Step 3: Mix the Breading Blend
Grab another bowl or a shallow plate and combine ½ cup flour, ¼ cup plain bread crumbs (or pork panko crumbs if you want extra crunch), 1½ tablespoons of everything bagel seasoning, and 1 teaspoon paprika. Mixing this blend thoroughly ensures every tender gets those vibrant, savory flavors we’re after.
Step 4: Coat the Chicken Tenders Twice
Now the fun part: dipping! First, dip each chicken tender into the breading mixture, shaking off any excess. Next, dip it into the egg and milk mixture, letting the extra drip back into the bowl. Finish by rolling the tender back into the breading one more time to get a thick, even coating. This double breading technique really gives that great crunchy texture we want.
Step 5: Arrange, Spray, and Bake
Place your breaded tenders in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Don’t crowd them — give them space to crisp up! Spray the tops evenly with 1 to 2 teaspoons of olive oil spray; this helps create a beautiful golden crust without the need for deep frying.
Bake for 10 minutes initially, then carefully flip each tender over. Give the flipped side another light spray of olive oil and bake for 8 more minutes. You’re looking for a golden brown color and an internal temperature of 165°F to ensure they’re safely cooked through.
Step 6: Rest and Serve
Once out of the oven, let your chicken tenders rest for a couple of minutes. This helps lock in the juices so each bite is tender and flavorful. Serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauces — ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue are my go-tos. Enjoy your delicious, crispy Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders!
Top Tip
These tips will help you get the crispiest, most flavorful Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders every time, while keeping things simple and stress-free in the kitchen.
- Double Dredge for Extra Crunch: I found that dipping the chicken tenders in the breading mixture, then the egg, and back into the breading again really locks in flavor and gives you that perfect crispy crust.
- Use Parchment Paper or Foil: Lining your baking sheet ensures the tenders don’t stick and cleanup is much easier—I always use foil for quick tossing.
- Olive Oil Spray is Your Best Friend: Spritzing the tenders before and after flipping helps them brown nicely without frying—this small step transforms the texture!
- Don’t Skip the Rest: Letting the chicken rest a couple of minutes after baking lets the juices redistribute, keeping the tenders wonderfully tender inside.
How to Serve Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle a little extra everything bagel seasoning on top right before serving for a flavor pop and irresistible visual appeal. Fresh herbs like chopped parsley or chives also add a lovely fresh note and color contrast.
Side Dishes
These chicken tenders pair wonderfully with crisp side salads, roasted vegetables, or classic comfort sides like sweet potato fries and coleslaw. For a cozy meal, serve alongside creamy mashed potatoes or mac and cheese. And don’t forget the dipping sauces—ranch, honey mustard, or tangy barbecue sauce are all fantastic choices to complement the savory seasoning.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keeping them sealed well helps maintain their tenderness and prevents them from drying out.
Freezing
Wrap the cooled chicken tenders tightly in plastic wrap or foil and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months. For best texture, freeze before baking or right after baking once cooled.
Reheating
To reheat, place the tenders on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes or until heated through and crispy again. Avoid microwaving if you want to preserve that crispy crust.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes! Just make sure to fully thaw the chicken tenders in the refrigerator before breading and baking so they cook evenly and reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F.
You can mix sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, and a pinch of salt to create your own homemade everything bagel seasoning blend.
Ranch dressing, honey mustard, and barbecue sauce are classic favorites, but feel free to get creative with sriracha mayo or blue cheese dressing too!
Absolutely! Air fryer cooking can give you extra crispiness. Cook at 400°F for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway, until tenders reach 165°F internally.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so satisfying about a crispy, flavorful chicken tender that’s baked just right and packed with the zing of everything bagel seasoning. This recipe has quickly become a go-to for when I want an easy weeknight meal with a little extra personality. Whether you’re feeding the family or just yourself, these tenders are sure to hit the spot and leave you reaching for more dipping sauce. Happy baking and even happier eating!
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Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Lactose
Description
Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders are classic baked chicken tenders elevated with the bold and savory flavors of an everything bagel seasoning blend, including garlic, onion, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds. Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, these chicken tenders are perfect for a flavorful and easy-to-make meal served with your favorite dipping sauces.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1½ pounds chicken breast tenders
Breading
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ cup plain bread crumbs (or pork panko crumbs)
- 1½ tablespoons everything bagel seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Wet Mixture
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup milk
Extras
- 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil spray
- Dipping sauces, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil; set aside.
- Mix Egg and Milk: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg and milk until combined and set it aside.
- Prepare Breading Mixture: In another mixing bowl or plate, combine the flour, bread crumbs, everything bagel seasoning, and paprika thoroughly.
- Bread the Chicken: Dip each chicken tender first into the breading mixture, then into the egg mixture allowing excess to drip off, and finally, roll it again in the breading mixture to coat evenly.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the breaded chicken tenders onto the prepared baking sheet in a single layer.
- Spray with Oil: Evenly spray the olive oil over the chicken tenders to help them crisp up during baking.
- Bake First Side: Bake the chicken tenders for 10 minutes until starting to brown.
- Flip and Bake Second Side: Flip the tenders over, spray again with olive oil, and bake for an additional 8 minutes or until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let the tenders rest for a couple of minutes before serving with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- Using parchment paper or foil on the baking sheet helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.
- For extra crispiness, panko bread crumbs can be used in place of plain bread crumbs.
- Make sure chicken tenders reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safe consumption.
- Olive oil spray helps achieve a golden, crispy crust without deep frying.
- The everything bagel seasoning can be homemade by mixing sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried minced garlic, dried onion, and salt.
- Serve with dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or barbecue for added flavor contrast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
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