These chicken tenderloin recipes are perfect for family dinners, and there's a wide variety. You can try many crispy coatings, as well as some other tasty options for making the most out of your chicken tenderloins. If you're tired of the same old chicken tenders, you've come to the right place.
My personal favorites on this list are simple baked chicken tenderloins and the copycat Cracker Barrel grilled chicken tenders recipe.
Jump to:
- What's The Difference Between Chicken Tenders And Chicken Tenderloins
- 1. Baked Chicken Tenderloins
- 2. Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins
- 3. Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Tenders
- 4. Buffalo Chicken Tenders
- 5. Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders
- 6. Cheez-Itz Chicken Tenders
- 7. Doritos Crusted Chicken Strips
- 8. Honey Garlic Chicken Tenderloins
- 9. Almond Flour Chicken Tenders
- 10. Cornflake Chicken Strips
- 11. Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenderloins
- 12. Coconut Chicken Tenders
- 13. Potato Chip Chicken Tenders
- 14. Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders
- 15. Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Tenderloins
- Best Dipping Sauces For Crispy Chicken Tenderloins
- 🐔 🍗 😋 More Tasty Chicken Recipes
- 📖 Recipe Card
- Best Chicken Tenderloin Recipes: Baked Chicken Tenderloins (+More Tasty Chicken Dinners!)
- 💬 Comments & Reviews
If you are wondering what to make with those chicken tenderloins in your fridge, you might be surprised at how many options you have. Of course, you can stick with crispy fried chicken tenders, but you certainly aren't limited to them.
You can grill them, bake them, fry them, and you can even dice them up to add to other recipes. Even if you opt for crispy tenders, there are so many fun and tasty breading options you can try outside the typical breadcrumbs.
Once you've picked the perfect chicken tenderloin recipe, stop by my page on what to serve with chicken! There are tons of side dish suggestions to help complete your dinner!
What's The Difference Between Chicken Tenders And Chicken Tenderloins
Chicken tenders are small, boneless pieces of white meat that can be taken from any part of the chicken breast.
On the other hand, chicken tenderloins refer to a specific part of the chicken breast. They are the smaller, more delicate muscles that run along the inner side of the breast, closer to the breastbone.
Tenderloins are considered to be even more tender and flavorful than chicken tenders. It's not uncommon to see recipes made with chicken tenderloins called 'chicken tenders,' though you will likely never see chicken tenders advertised as 'tenderloins.'
1. Baked Chicken Tenderloins
If you're looking for a way to whip up some chicken tenderloins without breading, this is my go-to recipe. They have so much flavor you won't even care that they aren't crispy!
2. Air Fryer Chicken Tenderloins
If you've got an air fryer, it's time to bust it out to make these wonderfully crispy chicken tenders! It couldn't be easier, and they are on the table and ready to eat in just 30 minutes.
3. Cracker Barrel Grilled Chicken Tenders
Cracker Barrel 'grilled' tenders are technically made on the stovetop, just like they do at Cracker Barrel restaurants! If you have some kiddos who are fans of their signature grilled tenders, they'll be head-over-heels for these!
4. Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Tossing some crispy chicken tenders with homemade buffalo sauce is a great way to switch things up. Pair them with some homemade ranch dressing or blue cheese for dipping, and watch them disappear!
5. Buttermilk Fried Chicken Tenders
There's nothing wrong with classic fried chicken tenders, and using buttermilk keeps them super moist and juicy. These restaurant-style tenders are great for dipping, or you can slice them up and add them to a leafy green salad!
6. Cheez-Itz Chicken Tenders
If you enjoy the flavor of crunchy cheddar Cheez-Itz, you'll be obsessed with these Cheez-Itz-coated chicken tenderloins. This is a kid-favorite recipe that is shockingly delicious, so you're sure to love them too!
7. Doritos Crusted Chicken Strips
I love incorporating Doritos into different recipes, like my Doritos chicken casserole and Doritos taco salad. So naturally, I had to try Doritos-crusted chicken strips, and they did not disappoint!
8. Honey Garlic Chicken Tenderloins
The sweet and sticky honey garlic sauce on these chicken tenderloins is finger-licking good! You can serve them over rice or noodles or just enjoy them on their own.
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9. Almond Flour Chicken Tenders
Gluten-free chicken tenders can be so crispy and delicious that you wouldn't even know they were made with almond flour. Because they are baked in the oven, cleanup is a breeze, and there's no greasy oil to mess with!
10. Cornflake Chicken Strips
Coating chicken tenderloins with cornflake cereal is nothing new, but It is a must-try if you haven't already! Just replace the usual breadcrumbs with crushed cornflakes and bake until golden and crispy.
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11. Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenderloins
I love an easy sheet-pan dinner because you can cook the main course and sides all at the same time! The crispy Parmesan coating on these tenders pairs perfectly with the roasted green beans and cherry tomatoes that are baked on the side.
12. Coconut Chicken Tenders
Chicken pairs surprisingly well with the flavor of coconut, and you can make these as coconutty as you'd like! Use coconut oil for the most coconut flavor! Like the almond flour chicken strips, these coconut tenders are completely gluten-free.
13. Potato Chip Chicken Tenders
If you've got an extra bag of potato chips on hand, crush them up and use them to coat your chicken tenders! You can even play around with different flavors like cheddar potato chips, salt & vinegar, or sour cream & onion!
14. Bacon Wrapped Chicken Tenders
Bacon makes everything better, and chicken tenderloins are no exception! They are low-carb, full of smokey and salty bacon flavor, and best of all, you only need 3 ingredients!
15. Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken Tenderloins
Coat your chicken tenderloins in this sweet and tangy honey mustard sauce and pop them on the grill! They'll cook up delectably tender with a slightly smokey flavor from the grill. You won't even need any dipping sauce!
Best Dipping Sauces For Crispy Chicken Tenderloins
One of the best things about crispy chicken tenderloins is all the delicious sauces and condiments you can dip them in. Whether you coat your chicken strips in breadcrumbs, potato chips, or Cheeze-Its, they will still taste wonderful with any of these delectable dipping sauces!
Stock up on chicken tenderloins and give a few of these family-favorite recipes a try! Let me know your favorite ways to cook with chicken tenderloins by leaving a comment below!
🐔 🍗 😋 More Tasty Chicken Recipes
- Peanut Butter Chicken - If you love peanut butter chicken takeout, you'll love it even more homemade!
- Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breasts - Juicy chicken breasts stuffed to the brim with a creamy mixture of spinach and cheese!
- Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters - These juicy chicken legs are ready to eat in half the time it takes to make them in the oven!
- Chicken Bacon Risotto - Tender chicken, salty bacon, and creamy risotto come together to make this delectable comfort food!
- Chicken Enchiladas with Green Sauce - The whole family will devour these tasty chicken enchiladas with verde sauce!
- Chicken Chorizo Paella - Smokey chorizo, tender vegetables, succulent chunks of chicken, and saffron-infused rice make up this show-stopping dish!
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📖 Recipe Card
Best Chicken Tenderloin Recipes: Baked Chicken Tenderloins (+More Tasty Chicken Dinners!)
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter (melted)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon each, salt & pepper
- 1 lb chicken tenderloins
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place your butter in a small bowl and heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds to melt it. Once melted, stir the honey into the butter.
- Meanwhile, in a separate small bowl, mix together your paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Pat your tenderloins dry with a paper towel and then dunk them into the melted butter, making sure they are fully coated. Then, place the tenderloins onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Season both sides of the chicken tenderloins with the seasoning mixture and then bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reads 165°F (74°C).
- Remove the baked chicken from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can easily customize this recipe by adding or swapping your favorite seasonings. Add in a pinch of cayenne pepper for some heat!
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken is fully cooked. Take a look at my post on chicken internal temperatures for more information.
- For best results, bring your chicken out of the fridge 20 minutes before you get started. This will help to ensure that the meat cooks evenly.
- To store: Allow your chicken to cool completely before placing them into a storage container and keeping it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- To freeze: Seal your tenderloins in a Ziploc bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow the chicken to defrost in the fridge before reheating.
- To reheat: Reheat your chicken tenderloins either in the microwave or by placing them back into the oven.
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