Easy Baked Cheesy Chicken Tenders (Crispy & Family-Friendly)

These baked chicken tenders are crispy, cheesy, and seasoned perfectly. You will be craving seconds. They may look like just your regular chicken tenders, but they are far from ordinary. I typically make tenders with breadcrumbs, eggs, and flour. These tenders are made with breadcrumbs, milk, and shredded cheese. This recipe uses seven simple ingredients - most of which you probably already have in your fridge or pantry. 

I'm always on the hunt for easy, simple, and delicious weekday meals that I can make between working, homeschooling, cleaning, and errands. If you are like me and busy during the week, you will want to add this to your dinner rotation. 

Baked Cheesy Chicken Tenders on a heart-shaped plate, right out of the oven and ready to serve.

Here's a quick overview of this recipe:

• Difficulty Level: Easy
• Serving size: 3
• Family friendly: Yes, this is one recipe my teen son and I ate and kept asking for more
• Total cook time: 20 minutes
• Family Rating: 9/10 and would definitely make again

What Makes These Chicken Tenders Unique?

I have never thought to add shredded cheese to my chicken tenders so that in itself makes it entirely unique. I also used lactose milk because my nutritionist suggested that I switched over to it. Feel free to use regular milk with yours if you would like.

What Inspired This Recipe?

I am on the Just a Pinch email list because I enter a lot of their giveaways that they offer. They just so happen to be a recipe website and I was emailed this recipe about a week ago and had to try it. Their recipe is for Crispy Cheddar Chicken and we made this recipe our own. We halved the chicken breasts (there are only two of us), used lactose milk, halved the cheese and breadcrumbs, omitted salt, used garlic powder instead of garlic salt, and did not make the sauce on top.

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe works because it's simple, cheesy, crunchy, and crispy. With only a 20 minute cook time and seven ingredients, you really can't go wrong. If you like the hardened cheese crisps, you will love this chicken. It has the perfect combination of crispy cheese on the outside with tender, juicy chicken inside. 

Adding the cheese provides a crispy layer that encompasses the entire chicken. You get cheesy flavor in every bite. The longer it's cooked, the crispier and crunchier it gets. 

Who This Recipe is For

This recipe is perfect for busy moms, picky eaters, and kids and adults of any age. Chicken tenders are nostalgic, but if you want them without all of the extra ingredients and still full of flavor, try these! 

FAQ

Can I use any type of milk?
Absolutely. I am using the lactose milk to help with my previous stomach issues. Feel free to use any type of milk you would like.

Can I use any type of cheese?
Yes, as long as it's shredded. I haven't used any other cheese besides cheddar but I'm sure it will work fine. 

What type of oven do you have?
I use a Cuisinart toaster oven so oven times may vary.

How do I make them extra crispy?
There are two ways you can make these chicken tenders extra crispy. One is adding more shredded cheese and the other is baking it longer. The longer it bakes, the crispier the cheese gets.

Can I make these in the air fryer?
Yes! You can cook them at 375 degrees for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and fully cooked.

If You Enjoy Easy Chicken Recipes, You May Like

Ingredients For Baked Cheesy Chicken Tenders

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• 1 cup lactose (or any) milk
• *1 cup Italian style breadcrumbs
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 2 large chicken breasts, cut into tenders
• 1 tsp garlic powder and black pepper
• PAM or cooking spray
• *Parsley flakes, to top

Note: I use the Cuisinart toaster oven. I cooked the chicken tenders for about 10 minutes per side at 400 degrees. Oven times will vary.

How to Make Easy Baked Chicken Tenders

✓ Step #1: Slice chicken into tenders - Slice chicken breast into small tenders. Set aside.

✓ Step #2: Set aside three bowls - In one bowl add the milk, in the second bowl add the cheese and the third, add the breadcrumbs.

✓ Step #3: Dip chicken in bowls - Take each chicken tender and add it in the milk, let it drip off, then add it to the cheese to stick and, finally, the breadcrumbs. Add chicken pieces to a PAM or cooking-sprayed, oven-safe pan.

Note: Because the tray is smaller, I had to do ours in two batches.

Uncooked chicken dipped in cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs, ready to bake.

✓ Step #4: Bake - Spray the top of the chicken tenders with cooking spray. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. After 10 minutes, flip and respray. 

✓ Step #5: Serve - Once the chicken is crisped to your liking, remove and add to a plate. Serve with green beans and sauce. We used BBQ sauce for ours. Enjoy!

Baked Cheesy Chicken Tenders on a plate, served with a side of green beans.

How to Store and Reheat

These chicken tenders are best fresh but if you would like to store them for later, add them to a tightly sealed plastic container and keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the air fryer or oven until warm.

About the Author

Abbie Guerrero is the creator of Savvy with Abbie and has been blogging since 2009. She has developed over 800 original recipes and shares thoughtful book reviews and personal reflections. Writing has been a lifelong passion and a meaningful form of self-expression.
Recipe and photos by Abbie Guerrero. All photos are original.

Did You Enjoy This Chicken Tenders Recipe?

I would love to hear your feedback. If you enjoyed this recipe, changed it, or thought of a different way to make it, please comment below and let me know. I love hearing about new ideas.

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