Pioneer Woman Baked Chicken Tenders Recipes

BAKED CHICKEN TENDERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a cookie sheet with foil, then place a wire rack on top.
• For the chicken tenders: Mix the cracker crumbs and Parmesan together in a large bowl. In a shallow dish, mix the mayonnaise, mustard, cider vinegar and some salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle the chicken tenders with a little salt and pepper and then place them, one by one, in the mayonnaise mixture. Scrape off excess mayonnaise and then roll the tenders in the crumb mixture to coat. As you go, place the coated tenders on the wire rack.
• Bake until cooked through and golden brown, 25 minutes. Let cool on the rack for 5 minutes.
• For the Dijon sauce: Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the mustard, mayonnaise, honey, cayenne and some salt and pepper. Mix until smooth and lump free.
• Transfer the chicken tenders to a serving platter. Serve with the Dijon sauce.

PRETZEL-CRUSTED CHICKEN STRIPS

Steps:

• Mix the brown mustard, mayonnaise and honey in a small bowl. Add 1 cup of the mixture to a shallow bowl. Reserve the rest for serving. Place the flour in another shallow bowl, then spread the pretzel crumbs on a plate.
• Season the chicken tenders with the salt. Coat each chicken tender in flour, then dunk in the honey-mustard mixture and coat in the pretzels; set aside on a large plate.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat until melted and hot. Add half of the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove to a rack placed over a sheet pan. Repeat with the remaining butter, oil and chicken.
• Serve alongside the reserved honey mustard.

CRUNCHY PARMESAN CHICKEN TENDERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• Brush 1 tablespoon of oil over each of 2 heavy large lined baking sheets. Place the buttermilk in a large bowl. Add the chicken tenders and stir to coat. Let stand at least 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, mash the garlic with the salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in the vinegar and then the remaining 1/2 cup of oil. Season the vinaigrette, to taste, with pepper. Transfer the vinaigrette to a small serving bowl.
• Stir the Parmesan and bread crumbs in a pie dish. Remove the chicken tenders from the buttermilk and dredge them in the bread crumb mixture to coat completely, pressing to adhere. Arrange the coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheets, spacing evenly. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil over the chicken tenders and bake until they are cooked through and golden brown, about 12 minutes.
• Transfer the chicken tenders to a platter and serve the vinaigrette alongside for dipping.

CRISPY CHICKEN STRIPS

Steps:

• Submerge the chicken strips in the buttermilk for 15 to 20 minutes (or longer if you'd like).
• In another bowl, combine the flour and seasoning salt (or other seasonings if you prefer). Mix this together well. Next, gradually drizzle 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the buttermilk into the flour mixture and stir lightly with a fork as you add it to achieve clumps.
• Heat about 1 inch vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-low to medium heat.
• Remove a few of the buttermilk-soaked chicken strips and place them in the flour mixture, turning them over to coat thoroughly. Place them on a plate. Continue coating the chicken strips until they are all ready to cook.
• When the oil is sufficiently heated, begin cooking the strips a few at a time. Cook them for about a minute and a half or so on each side. When golden and crispy and the chicken is done, remove them to a paper-towel-lined plate. Do not allow them to burn.
• Serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Yum!

HONEY PECAN CHICKEN STRIPS

Steps:

• Place the chicken in a large bowl. Add the buttermilk and hot sauce, then toss to combine. Allow to marinate 15 to 30 minutes.
• In a separate bowl, combine the flour, pecans and seasoning salt. Mix well and set aside.
• Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over a medium heat until it reaches 375 degrees F.
• Place a small pan over a low heat and add the honey and butter. Allow the honey to warm and the butter to melt.
• Meanwhile, remove the chicken from the buttermilk a few pieces at a time, then add to the flour/pecan mixture, turning to coat thoroughly. Place on a plate. Continue with the remaining chicken until it is all coated.
• Cook the chicken in the skillet in batches, flipping halfway through, until they are golden and crisp, about 4 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Add the chicken to a platter and drizzle over half of the honey butter. Garnish with the parsley. Serve with the remaining honey butter on the side for dipping.