Table of Contents
  1. The ingredients in these crispy chicken strips
  2. How do we make sure the chicken is crispy?
  3. Common questions about this recipe
  4. Watch how to make these crispy chicken strips
  5. Baked Crispy Chicken Strips Recipe

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My goal is not to disrupt the frozen food industry. Instead, if I can convert just one person into believing that good, crispy chicken tenders can be made at home, I’ll consider it a goal accomplished!

I get it. The frozen chicken strips that we’re all so accustomed to consuming have a consistent outcome. They’re quick and easy, requiring minimal effort to get from the freezer to the oven.

But have you looked at the ingredients? What if instead of a long list of ingredients, added fats, and too much salt, we just use real chicken breast and make our own?! I know it’s a far-out idea. But I believe these crispy chicken strips are the ones that could make you a believer. They’re real pieces of chicken (nothing fake here!) and the coating is super crispy.

The hands-down best part of this entire recipe is that no fryer or oil is needed! Everything is simply baked in the oven.

Side view of chicken strip with bite taken out being dipped in light golden colored honey mustard sauce with other chicken strips all around

The ingredients in these crispy chicken strips

  • Flour is the first necessary ingredient to coat the chicken. A thin layer of flour will dry out the meat and allow the next coat to adhere. It’s crucial!
  • Cornstarch is mixed with the flour to ensure a light texture. We do not want gummy, gluey flour, so cornstarch helps maintain the correct texture.
  • Garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper provide some of the seasoning when mixed with the flour. Since this is the layer that’s the closest to the meat, the seasoning is super important.
  • Eggs are the second coating. The flour mixture is added first so the egg has something to which to adhere. The egg mixes with the flour to create a glue for the crispy final coating.
  • Chex cereal in crushed form is the final coating. This cereal has the unique ability to create a crispy coating that will remain crispy without the need to fry in oil.
  • Parmesan cheese mixed with the cereal act as an additional seasoning. The saltiness in the Parmesan provides a rich flavor to the coating and also toasts during baking, which creates even more flavor!

How do we make sure the chicken is crispy?

There are three main steps that will ensure the final baked chicken strips are crispy:

  • Three coatings on each chicken strip: flour mixture, egg mixture, and cereal mixture. Each coating is essential in helping the other coatings stick. When each coat works as it should, the end result is a crispy chicken tender.
  • High oven heat will allow the coating to dry on the outside of the chicken and become crispy. If you have a convection setting on your oven, now is the time to use it!
  • Fit the baking sheet with a wire rack. During baking, air will freely move under and over the wire rack, which makes sure all sides of the chicken are evenly crispy. This also helps to prevent a soggy bottom!
Top down view of golden brown baked chicken strips sitting on wire cooling rack after being in the oven

The ingredients are simple and can be found in most pantries. In fact, I often have Chex cereal leftover from making batches of party mix during the holidays and need ways to use it up! Maybe you’re in that same boat too.

To make this recipe extra special, I created a quick homemade honey mustard sauce. It may require a little more effort, but it’s totally worth it.

Top down view of small white bowl filled with homemade golden colored honey mustard sauce with golden colored chicken strips

Here’s what I love: I love the idea that we can make good food at home and do not need to rely on the frozen food section at the grocery store.

Common questions about this recipe

Is Chex cereal the only cereal that works in this recipe?

Not at all! Many kinds of cereal will work to create the necessary crispy exterior. I have used corn flakes, which works tremendously as well!

Do I have to use the convection setting on my oven to get the crispy exterior?

No, the chicken strips will still be crispy even if the convection setting is not used. Some ovens do not have a convection setting, so that should not stop you from making these strips.

Can I use an air fryer to make these chicken strips?

Of course! An air fryer is pretty much a little convection oven.

What is a chicken strip versus a chicken tender?

A chicken tender is an actual part of a chicken. They’re a small piece of meat attached to the underside of the breast or breast bone, often used for their tender texture and small size. In this recipe, we’re simply taking chicken breasts and slicing them to make strips. Chicken breasts are easily found in grocery stores whereas chicken tenders can be more difficult to find for some.

More dinner recipes

Watch how to make these crispy chicken strips

YouTube video
Top down view of baked crispy chicken strips sitting on wire cooling rack after being taken out of the oven

Baked Crispy Chicken Strips

4.27 from 26 votes
There's no need to buy frozen chicken strips anymore once you have this recipe in hand! These baked crispy chicken strips have a light, crispy exterior that tastes just like the best restaurant-style dish! And when paired with a homemade honey mustard sauce, the combination is dynamic!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

For the chicken tenders

  • 2 lb chicken breast each breast sliced into 4-5 tenders
  • 1 ½ cups crushed Chex cereal
  • cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 large egg whisked
  • ¾ cup buttermilk
  • honey mustard sauce to serve

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack to elevate the chicken and set aside.
  • Prepare the chicken by cutting each breast into desired pieces, 4-5 slices per breast. Set them aside.
    2 lb chicken breast
  • In three low bowls or pie plates, prepare the coatings. In one bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, and salt. In the second bowl, whisk the eggs and buttermilk until smooth. In the last bowl, combine the crushed cereal and the Parmesan cheese.
    1 ½ cups crushed Chex cereal, ⅓ cup all-purpose flour, 2 tbsp cornstarch, 1 ½ tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, ½ tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1 ½ tsp kosher salt, 1 large egg, ¾ cup buttermilk, ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Dredge the chicken slices first in the flour, tapping off any excess. Next, dip the chicken in the egg mixture and allow the excess to drip off. Finally, roll in the cereal mixture, making sure the chicken is evenly coated on all sides. Lay the chicken on the prepared baking rack and continue until all of the chicken is coated.
  • Once all the chicken is prepared, bake in the preheated oven until the chicken registers 160°F, 15-20 minutes.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 389kcal
Course Dinner
Cuisine American
Difficulty Intermediate
Method Baking

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Kaleb

Kaleb Wyse is a New York Times bestselling author behind the popular Wyse Guide website. Living on his fourth-generation Iowa farm, he loves sharing recipes and gardening tips that come from traditions that feel comfortably familiar. His down-to-earth style makes sustainable living and farm life feel like home!

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4.27 from 26 votes (18 ratings without comment)

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16 Comments

  1. I made the chicken tenders and aioli Monday night for my grown son and myself. He’s my barometer for new dishes. Thumbs up! I will definitely be making them more often.

  2. 5 stars
    Love this newsletter, recipes, tips, and especially reading about Kip. When he began to walk and get around on the farm it made me so happy that I cried. I can see why you love him so much. I love your sweet, happy, and upbeat spirit. Love your recipes!! Keep them coming.

  3. 5 stars
    My whole family loved this recipe! I used BS thighs because that’s what we prefer. Thank you for the great recipe!

  4. To Confirm Oven Temperature: 375 degrees for Convection Oven or Regular Oven? Please provide correct temperature for each type of oven. I have a dual Convection/Regular. Thank you.

    1. Manufacturers suggest reducing the stated oven temperature of a recipe by 25°F when using the convection setting. If following this method, the cooking time should be the same in both convection and regular oven settings. The 375°F temperature listed in this recipe is for a regular oven setting.

  5. This recipe looks amazing and I plan to make it. Just have a question about the honey mustard sauce. It contains uncooked egg which concerns me. Doesn’t it have to be cooked to be safe to eat? Love all your recipes and watching your videos!!

    1. Cindy
      Pasteurized eggs are ok to use, mayonnaise is made from raw eggs n oil as well so the HM sauce is basically mayonnaise from scratch with some extras ( honey, mustard n spices). I use raw eggs in my homemade Cesar dressing n I’ve never had a problem. I think you will enjoy the taste. Good luck.

  6. 5 stars
    Fantastic!! We loved theses, I make chicken tenders often but struggled to get that really crispy crust, these were perfection❤️❤️ Everyone agreed, this is a definite make again winner!

  7. 5 stars
    This was so juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside … I never thought baked chicken could be so tender. Thank you! I’m going to add this to my regular rotation.

  8. 5 stars
    Loved everything about these chicken strips. I did think it needed a little more spicing up. The crispness was awesome. I didn’t make the dipping sauce but used sweet and sour as well as plum sauce as a dip.

  9. 5 stars
    Delicious! For the honey mustard dressing I used a Blood Orange Olive Oil. It upped the flavor of the honey mustard dressing.
    I’ll be adding this to my repertoire of recipes.