I am not joking when I say these baked chicken tenders taste the best I have ever had. They are juicy, perfectly seasoned, and only require a few minutes of prep time. No breading needed!.
Most people overcook their chicken tenders by a mile. Your chicken tenderloins are probably too done if they’ve been in the oven for more than 15 minutes. That means dry chicken like sawdust in your mouth.
With this easy chicken recipe, I will show you how to make the best oven baked chicken tenders possible using simple ingredients.
For a healthy dinner, pair them with your favorite dipping sauce and mashed cauliflower or a fresh salad.
1 pound of chicken tenderloins (8-10) – to avoid that tough tendon present in a chicken tenderloin, you can use chicken breasts cut into strips.
Im going to show you a great way to remove that tendon in 10 seconds flat down below.
2 tablespoons oil – I use avocado oil but you can use olive oil or vegetable oil.
2 tablespoons Tamari – this is a gluten free alternative to soy sauce which has a more balanced flavor and is less salty.
Kids and adults alike love chicken tenderloins for dinner because they are quick, easy, and healthy. If you bake them at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, they will be juicy, tender, and sweet. But how long does it really take to cook chicken tenderloins at 350 degrees? Let’s find out.
The Prep Work
Before you even preheat the oven, there are a few prep steps to take to ensure your chicken turns out perfectly
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Rinse and pat the tenderloins dry. Give them a quick rinse under cool water and pat them completely dry with paper towels. Any excess moisture on the outside could cause steaming instead of browning.
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Season the tenderloins. For the best flavor, season them before cooking. Some simple seasoning options include salt, pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano, paprika or Italian seasoning. You could also marinate them for added flavor.
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Coat with oil. Use olive oil, avocado oil or melted butter to lightly coat the tenderloins before cooking. This helps promote browning and prevents them from drying out.
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Use a baking sheet. Paper or foil on the bottom of a sheet pan makes it easy to clean up. Non-stick spray helps prevent sticking.
Baking Time and Temperature
You should put chicken tenderloins in an oven that is 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature makes sure that the outside gets nice and crispy while the inside cooks slowly without drying out.
So how long exactly? The cooking time can vary slightly based on a few factors:
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Thickness of the tenderloins – Thinner tenderloins will cook faster than thicker ones.
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Your oven’s accuracy – Use an oven thermometer to check. Some ovens run hot or cold.
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Frozen vs. thawed – Thawed tenderloins will cook much faster. Frozen needs extra time.
But in most cases, chicken tenderloins take 15-20 minutes to bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on thickness. A good rule of thumb is to start checking them at 15 minutes and then cook longer if needed.
Checking for Doneness
It’s important to cook chicken all the way through to 165°F on the inside. You can tell if your tenderloins are done in the following ways:
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Use an instant-read meat thermometer – insert into thickest part.
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Cut into a tenderloin – it should be white inside with no pink.
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Check that the juices run clear – not pink.
Once done, remove them immediately from the oven so they don’t overcook. Then let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Preventing Dryness
To keep the tenderloins juicy and moist, there are a few simple tricks:
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Brush with oil or melted butter before baking
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Bake at 350°F – higher temperatures increase drying
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Do not overcook – use a meat thermometer
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Allow to rest before cutting into them
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Add chicken broth/water to the baking pan
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Tent with foil to trap in moisture (remove foil towards end for browning)
Flavor Variations
The possibilities are endless when it comes to seasoning baked chicken tenderloins! Here are just a few ideas:
- Lemon pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Ranch seasoning
- Chili powder and cumin
- Jerk seasoning
- Cajun seasoning
- Parmesan and herbs
- BBQ rub
You could also use teriyaki, soy, honey mustard or other sauces during the last 5-10 minutes of baking for added flavor.
Cooking Chicken Tenderloins in the Air Fryer
An air fryer lets you enjoy deliciously crispy chicken tenderloins without all the oil of deep frying. It uses rapid hot air to cook the food.
The air fryer timing is much faster than the oven. At 350°F, chicken tenderloins take only 12-15 minutes to cook through in an air fryer.
Be sure to flip them halfway during cooking for even browning. And always use a meat thermometer to confirm they reach 165°F internally before removing.
Serving Suggestions
Baked chicken tenderloins pair well with so many side dishes. Here are some delicious options:
- Rice or roasted potatoes
- Veggies like broccoli, green beans or asparagus
- Fresh salad or coleslaw
- Pasta or mac and cheese
- Rolls, biscuits or cornbread
- Mashed cauliflower or sweet potatoes
You could also chop up cooked tenderloins to use in wraps, tacos, sandwiches or on top of pizza or flatbreads. And let’s not forget dipping sauces like barbecue, ranch, honey mustard or buffalo sauce!
Storage
Leftover baked chicken tenderloins will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Store them in an airtight container. You can reheat them in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
For longer storage, freeze cooked chicken tenderloins for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
With the right prep, baking time and temperature, chicken tenderloins turn out incredibly moist, flavorful and delicious. Bake them in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven for 15-20 minutes, or 12-15 minutes in an air fryer.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure they cook through to 165°F. And incorporate some flavorful seasonings or sauces for extra taste. Enjoy these quick and easy tenderloins on their own, in sandwiches or with a variety of savory sides.
How to remove the tendon from chicken tenders
They won’t work as well if they still have that tough tendon going through the middle of them. Let me show you the best way to remove it in about 10 seconds.
Grip the tendon in one hand with a small piece of paper towel. In The other hand, put the tendon between the tines of a fork.
Pull the tendon up with the paper towel and push the chicken tender down with the fork all at the same time. The tendon will pull right out.
This will split your tender almost completely down the center, but I would rather have that over a tough tendon in my chicken any day.
How to make healthy baked chicken tenders
These homemade chicken tenders do not require a breadcrumb mixture so they are perfect for someone following a gluten-free diet. That means less prep time!.
- Set the oven to 350 degrees F and marinate the tenders. To do this, put the chicken strips in a medium bowl and add the oil, tamari, and seasonings. For the best results, let the tenders soak up the marinade in the bowl while the oven heats up.
- Stack the chicken pieces one on top of the other on a baking sheet. If you want to make cleanup easier, you could line the sheet pan with parchment paper.
- Put the dish in an oven that has already been heated for 15 minutes, or until an instant read thermometer reads 165F inside.
You can see that this chicken tenders recipe makes chicken that is golden brown and juicy, without a crunchy coating that will get soggy in 5 minutes.
Ya Don’t Know Until Ya Dan-O: Blackened Chicken Tenders
FAQ
How long does chicken tenderloin take to cook at 350 degrees?
Bake at 350 for about 20 to 30 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in the center. If your tenders are thinner, they’ll be done sooner. If they’re thicker, they will need more time. Now just like we promised here are these beautiful zesty baked chicken tenderloins.
Is it better to bake chicken tenderloins at 350 or 400?
Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400? You can cook chicken at either temperature. For juicier, more evenly cooked chicken, 350 degrees is better. However, 400 degrees will cook quicker if you’re short on time.
How long does chicken at 350 take to cook?
Cooking tips Bake a 4-ounce chicken breast at 350°F (177°C) for 25 to 30 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature is 165°F (74°C).
How long do you keep chicken tenderloins in the oven?
Preheat oven to 375°F. 2. frozen tenderloins 30 to 35 minutes or until internal temperature on instant read thermometer reaches 170°F. (Bake thawed tenderloins 18 to 22 minutes. ).