Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Chicken Tenders recipe is a crispy and cheesy recipe, which is made with cheese crackers and Parmesan. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, ready in about 30 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Chicken Tenders Ingredients
For the Chicken Tenders:
- 3 cups cheese crackers, such as Cheez-Its, ground into crumbs
- 1 cup finely grated Parmesan
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pound chicken tenders (7 to 8 tenders)
For the Dijon Sauce:
- 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Dash cayenne pepper
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
How To Make Pioneer Woman Chicken Tenders
- Prep Oven and Breading: Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. In a large bowl, mix the cracker crumbs and Parmesan cheese together.
- Make the Mayo Binder: In a separate shallow dish, mix together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Coat the Chicken: Season the chicken tenders lightly with salt and pepper. Working one at a time, coat each tender in the mayonnaise mixture, scrape off any excess, and then press it firmly into the crumb mixture to coat on all sides.
- Bake Until Golden: Place the coated tenders on the prepared wire rack. Bake for about 25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden brown and crispy.
- Mix the Dipping Sauce: While the chicken bakes, combine the Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, honey, cayenne, and a pinch of salt and pepper in a small bowl. Mix until smooth.
- Serve: Let the chicken tenders cool on the rack for 5 minutes before transferring them to a platter. Serve hot with the Dijon sauce for dipping.
Recipe Tips
- How to get the crispiest tenders? Baking the chicken tenders on a wire rack is the most important step. It allows hot air to circulate all around the chicken, ensuring the bottom gets just as crispy as the top.
- Can I use a different cracker? Yes, this recipe is very forgiving. Any cheesy cracker, like Goldfish or cheese-flavored butter crackers, would work well.
- Can I make these in an air fryer? Absolutely! Place the coated tenders in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through.
- Why use a mayonnaise binder? The mayonnaise mixture not only adds a tangy flavor but also provides moisture and fat, which helps the crumb coating stick to the chicken and turn a beautiful golden brown.
What To Serve With Chicken Tenders
These classic chicken tenders are a family favorite and pair perfectly with:
- French fries, tater tots, or sweet potato fries
- A simple side salad or creamy coleslaw
- Steamed green beans or roasted broccoli
How To Store Chicken Tenders
- Refrigerate: Store leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: For the best results and to re-crisp the coating, reheat them in a 425°F oven or an air fryer for 5-7 minutes. Microwaving will make the breading soft.
- Freeze: Let the cooked chicken tenders cool completely. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
Pioneer Woman Chicken Tenders Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 450-550 kcal
- Fat: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Protein: 30g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders?
Yes. Simply slice boneless, skinless chicken breasts into 1-inch thick strips to create your own tenders.
Can I prepare these ahead of time?
Yes, you can bread the chicken tenders a few hours in advance. Place them on the wire rack, cover, and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. This can actually help the breading adhere better.
My breading is getting soggy, why?
This can happen if you don’t scrape off the excess mayonnaise mixture before dredging in the crumbs. You want a thin, even layer of the binder, not a thick, goopy one.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Strips Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Chicken Enchiladas with White Sauce Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Chicken and Dressing Casserole Recipe
Pioneer Woman Chicken Tenders Recipe
Description
Crispy, cheesy baked chicken tenders with a crunchy cheese cracker and Parmesan crust, served with a tangy honey-Dijon dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Place a wire rack on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Mix the cracker crumbs and Parmesan in a bowl. In a separate dish, mix the mayonnaise, mustard, and vinegar.
- Season the chicken tenders, then coat each one first in the mayonnaise mixture, then press firmly into the crumb mixture.
- Place the coated tenders on the wire rack.
- Bake for 25 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
- While baking, whisk together all the sauce ingredients.
- Let the tenders rest for 5 minutes before serving with the Dijon sauce.
Notes
- u003cliu003eBaking on a wire rack is the secret to getting the chicken crispy on all sides.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDon’t be shy when pressing the chicken into the crumb mixture; you want a nice, thick coating.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThe homemade honey-Dijon sauce is the perfect tangy and sweet complement to the savory chicken.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThis is a quick and easy recipe that’s perfect for a weeknight family dinner.u003c/liu003e
Pioneer Woman Chicken Tenders Recipe
