These Oven Baked Chicken Tenders with no breading are not only super juicy and full of flavor, but they’re also a cinch to make! With a short list of ingredients and around 25 minutes from start to finish, these homemade chicken tenders are a simple yet delicious main dish that everyone will love.
I first fell in love with no breading on chicken tenders at Cracker Barrel as a kid. I couldn’t imagine anything being better than a deep fried chicken tender, but these were tender, juicy, and packed with so much flavor you didn’t miss the breading.
This simple “naked” baked chicken tenders recipe is inspired by those. It gives you all the flavor, in a lighter, super fast to make dish.
Tossed in a variety of seasonings for peak flavor, these baked chicken tenders are one of my favorites. Plus, skipping the breading means even faster prep–no dunking and coating with crumbs. Just place your chicken tenders in your casserole dish, toss with seasonings, and bake. 20 minutes later, a fast and wholesome dinner is on the table!
If you are looking for a classic baked chicken tenders with breading, this recipe has been a staple in our house for many years.
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Kid-friendly favorite – Everyone loves these chicken breast tenders, but especially kids!
- Wholesome and nutritious – They’re lean and packed with protein, and without the breading, they’re a lighter option than breaded chicken tenders. Not only are they high in protein, they’re low-carb too.
- Weeknight hero – These oven-baked chicken tenders are simple enough to make for busy weeknight dinners AND are everyone’s favorite. Win-win!
- Fast and easy – These baked chicken tenders really are SO easy! Just toss the tenders with the spices, bake, and enjoy in around 20 minutes.
Recipe Notes
This Oven Baked Chicken Tenders with No Breading recipe is as simple as promised! Just a few ingredients and around 20 minutes in the oven for a family friendly meal.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make Baked Chicken Tenders to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Chicken tenderloins – Chicken tenders are a small, thin cut of meat from the breast. They’re tender and juicy, and they cook very fast, which is part of the beauty of chicken tenders. You can also use whole chicken thighs or breasts, but the cooking time will be longer.
Or you can even cut thighs or breasts into strips if you want to keep the shorter cooking time. - Olive oil – Coating the chicken tenders in olive oil helps the seasonings adhere to every bit of chicken while also keeping the chicken moist and tender.
- Chicken base – Chicken base is a fantastic source of concentrated savory flavor. You can typically find jarred chicken base where you find the broth in most grocery stores. The most common brand is Better Than Bullion.
If you need a substitution, you can make a paste out of some chicken bullion granules. - Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper – This combination of spices brings tons of flavor to every bite of chicken. But this is an extremely versatile recipe for baked chicken tenders, so free to swap in any spice you like.
- Parsley – A bit of chopped fresh parsley added to the baked chicken tenders adds color and a nice fresh herbal note of flavor.
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Lemon Pepper Chicken Tenders– Add lemon pepper seasoning for a bright and peppery note.
- Buffalo Chicken Tenders– Douse your baked chicken tenders in buffalo sauce for a saucy, spicy spin.
- Ranch Chicken Tenders– Toss oven baked chicken tenders in ranch seasoning for loads of herbal flavor.
- Parmesan Chicken Tenders– Scatter shredded Parmesan cheese over baked chicken tenders for a cheesy touch.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make chicken tenders in the oven.
Place the chicken tenders in a baking dish in a single layer.
Pour olive oil over the chicken and toss to coat. Mix the seasonings together and sprinkle over the chicken.
Toss the chicken tenders until coated evenly with the spices and seasonings.
Bake until cooked through and let rest for a few minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure they’re evenly coated – Toss the chicken thoroughly in the olive oil and seasonings to make sure they’re both coated well. This helps ensure that every bite of oven baked chicken tenders is juicy and perfect.
- Use an instant-read thermometer – If you have one, an instant-read thermometer is your friend! Poke it into one of the thickest sections of meat. When the thermometer reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, the chicken is done.
- Don’t over-cook – Related to tip #2, when you make chicken tenders in the oven, it’s important take care that you don’t overcook them. You don’t want dry chicken! So watch them carefully and keep tabs on the internal temperature.
- Let them rest – A few minutes’ resting time after baking the tenders allows them to reabsorb some of the juices for the most delicious chicken.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Use a seasoning blend – Try a store-bought seasoning mix like Italian seasoning or chicken seasoning.
- Mix your spices ahead of time – For super-fast prep, have your spices and seasonings ready. If you’re prepping more than a couple of hours in advance, keep the mix in the fridge until you’re ready to use it.
- Make an extra batch for the freezer – When you’re making your oven baked chicken tenders for dinner, prep another batch at the same time. For an extra minute or two of work, you’ll have another batch ready to go for an extra busy weeknight! Just toss the second batch of chicken tenders along with the oil and seasonings in a freezer bag, label, and freeze.
Freezer Meal Instructions
Making this oven-baked chicken tenders (no breading) recipe into a freezer meal is simple! Follow the steps below and you can store this recipe in the freezer for up to 6 months.
To freeze before cooking
- Place chicken tenders, oil, and spices in a freezer-safe bag.
- Seal the bag and toss to coat the chicken.
- Label the bag and transfer to the freezer.
- To bake your oven chicken tenders, thaw overnight in the refrigerator then pour into an oven-safe dish and bake.
How to Freeze Bare Chicken Tenders After Cooking
- Allow baked homemade chicken tenders to cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag.
- Label and date your bag.
- Transfer to the freezer.
What to Serve with Oven Baked Chicken Tenders (No Breading)
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of classic chicken, it will pair well with many of your favorite homemade side dishes.
Choose one or several of these sides for chicken tenders to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Baked Macaroni & Cheese
- Italian House Salad
- Creamy Southern Coleslaw
- Herb Roasted Potatoes
- Jiffy Corn Casserole
- Roasted Vegetables
- Crispy Parmesan Broccoli
- Crockpot Mashed Potatoes
Dipping Sauces
- Honey Mustard Sauce
- Homemade Ranch Dip
- Blue Cheese Dressing
- Barbecue Sauce
- Ketchup, Honey, Honey BBQ Sauce
Baked Chicken Tenders Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save and reheat well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store:
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to 6 months
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Chicken tender salad– Top just about any salad with leftover chicken tenders for a delicious boost of protein. You can also dice cooked chicken to and toss it directly into your salad.
- Chicken tender sub– Line a hoagie roll with chicken tenders and top with lettuce, tomato, bacon, and a drizzle of ranch dressing for a ranch-inspired chicken tender sandwich.
- Chicken tender alfredo pasta– Replace the blackened chicken in this chicken alfredo pasta recipe with leftover chicken tenders for an easy and hearty pasta meal.
- Chicken tender tacos– Shred or dice your leftover chicken tenders and use them in these delicious cheesy baked chicken tacos.
Recipe FAQ’s
What cut of meat are chicken tenders?
The chicken tender is a section of meat that comes from the inner portion of the chicken breast. They’re smaller than a chicken breast, so they cook faster than larger cuts of meat, yet are known for being juicy and tender.
Why are my homemade chicken tenders tough?
Chicken tenders are a small cut of meat, so they cook very fast! And overcooked chicken tenders are tough chicken tenders. Begin checking your chicken early for doneness. It’s done when the juices run clear when pierced, and when an instant-read thermometer inserted in the middle reads 165°F.
Does chicken need to be flipped when baking?
No. Due to the intense heat from all sides, chicken tenders do not need to be flipped when baking.
How long to cook chicken tenders at 400°F?
Bake for about 20 minutes, checking with an instant-read thermometer to check doneness (when the internal temp reaches 165°F.
More EASY Chicken Tender Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy chicken recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Crispy Baked Chicken Tenders
- Ranch Baked Chicken Tenders
- Buffalo Chicken Tenders
- Blackened Chicken Tenders
Oven Baked Chicken Tenders (No Breading)
Ingredients
- 2½ pounds chicken tenderloins
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 tablespoon chicken base
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoons black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400˚F.
- Place the chicken tenders in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour 1 tablespoon of the oil and the chicken base over the chicken and toss to coat.
- Combine all of the spices except the parsley and mix, then sprinkle over the chicken tenders and toss them to evenly coat.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165˚F.
- Once done, allow to sit for 5 minutes then toss the chicken with the chopped parsley and serve.
Recipe Notes
- Chicken tenders – Chicken strips work, or you can use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Note that larger cuts of chicken will take longer to cook.
- Seasonings – Mix or match any seasonings you like.
- in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
- in the freezer up to 6 months
- Allow baked homemade chicken tenders to cool to room temperature, then transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag.
- Label and date your bag.
- Transfer to the freezer.
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