Oven Baked Chicken Tenders Recipe (No Breading)

This oven-baked chicken tenders recipe combines chicken tenderloins with a little melted butter and the perfect balance of spices to make a meal fit for a king/queen. The tenders turn out super juicy, tender, and loaded with flavor. In addition to tasting great, they're so easy to make. With just a handful of ingredients and a few minutes of prep time, you can easily make these delicious baked chicken tenders without breading in the oven!

The Best Baked Chicken Tenders

These baked chicken tenders might just be one of the best chicken recipes I've made in a while. For being so quick and easy to make, the results are incredible. I mean, I'd even go as far as saying that these oven baked chicken tenders that are finger-lickin' good.

Now, when I say easy, I really mean it. All you have to do is combine the spices and seasonings, coat the chicken tenderloins with 'em, and then let the oven take care of the rest. Honestly, as far as easy chicken recipes go, this one might be the easiest.

Also, since it's such a breeze to make, it's the perfect family dinner recipe to have in your back pocket for those busy weeknights where cooking anything extravagant is out of the question.

By the way, and since this baked chicken tenders recipe is so quick and easy to put together, you'll have plenty of time to work on some equally tasty side dishes. If you're looking for what to serve with chicken tenders, I love serving 'em alongside these parmesan noodles and these cheesy mashed potatoes. 

Ingredients For Chicken Tenders with No Breading

One of the best things about making these oven baked chicken tenders is that you only need kitchen/pantry staples to make them. Honestly, I guarantee that you have most - if not all - of them on hand already.

Anyway, here's what you'll need to make them:

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ½ lb. chicken tenderloins
• ½ tablespoon paprika powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon brown sugar
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Not too shabby, eh?

By the way, if you're looking for some tasty dipping sauces, I definitely suggest you check out this copycat Chick Fil A sauce recipe, this halal cart white sauce, or this copycat Big Mac sauce. You really can't go wrong with dipping the tendies into any of them. 

Oh, and if you want to make breaded chicken, you can use a few of these ingredients to make these baked breaded chicken cutlets! Or, for something a little different, you can use some of these ingredients to make this chicken Philly cheesesteak.

Ingredient Substitutions and Suggestions

While I love making this oven baked chicken tenders recipe just as written, there’s plenty of flexibility to adjust it to your taste or what you have on hand. Check out some of my favorite variations of this recipe below.

• Switching up the coating: These homemade chicken tenders get their flavor from a simple mix of melted butter and spices, which keeps them juicy and flavorful without breading. But if you’re craving a more classic breaded chicken tender, it’s easy to adapt—just stir your spice blend into some panko bread crumbs and coat the buttered chicken strips before baking. This gives you a crispier, golden crust that feels like takeout-style chicken fingers.
• Choosing the right cut of chicken: Traditional tenders come from the chicken tenderloins, a small strip of meat attached to the underside of the breast. If you can’t find tenderloins, don’t worry—this recipe works just as well with boneless, skinless chicken breasts sliced into strips. To ensure even cooking, pound the chicken to a uniform thickness before cutting. You can even use boneless chicken thighs for a juicier, slightly richer flavor.
• Butter alternatives: If you’d like to lighten things up, swap the butter for olive oil or avocado oil. Both options help the spice blend stick while keeping the chicken moist, and they add their own subtle flavor.
• Flavor variations: Feel free to adjust the seasoning blend to match your cravings. Add cayenne or chili powder for heat, Italian seasoning for a more herb-forward flavor, or even a sprinkle of parmesan cheese over the top before baking for a cheesy twist.

How To Bake Chicken Tenders In The Oven

Now it's time for the fun part - it's time to make some baked chicken tenders!

Honestly, I can't stress enough just how easy this recipe is. You basically just coat each chicken tenders in butter, then coat 'em in your spices and bake 'em in the oven. It's really that simple! So, with that said, let's stop wasting time and get cooking!

Step 1: Prep Work

First things first, you'll want to preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Then, you can take out a small bowl and combine the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, parsley, oregano, brown sugar, salt, and pepper in it.

Step 2: Season The Chicken Tenders

Now you can coat the chicken tenderloins in melted butter. I usually find that a shallow dish or a large bowl works best for this step, but you could also brush the butter over the top of the tenders directly on the baking sheet.

Anyway, once the chicken tenderloins are coated in butter, you can sprinkle the spice mix over each one and rub it into the chicken.

Step 3: Bake The Chicken Tenders And Serve

After coating the chicken tenders in the spice mix, transfer them to your prepared baking sheet and bake in the oven for 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Once the 25 minutes are up, or your oven-baked chicken tenders have fully cooked, you can serve your tenders warm with some potatoes, veggies, dipping sauce of your choice, or whatever else you want. Enjoy!

Expert Tips For Oven Baked Chicken Tenderloins

• Choose tenderloins or slice chicken breasts evenly. Chicken tenderloins are naturally juicy and cook quickly, but if you’re using breasts, slice them into uniform strips so they bake at the same rate. Pounding them lightly to an even thickness helps prevent dry edges.
• Dry the chicken before seasoning. Pat the chicken strips dry with paper towels before coating them in butter and spices. This helps the seasoning stick better and allows the oven heat to sear the outside instead of steaming the chicken.
• Use high heat for juicy, golden tenders. Bake at 400°F–425°F so the chicken cooks quickly, sealing in moisture. Lower oven temps will dry out the meat before it browns. For the most accurate results, cook until the internal temp hits 165°F.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan. Spread the chicken strips in a single layer with a little space between them. Overcrowding traps steam, which prevents the tenders from developing that lightly crisp exterior.
• Let them rest before serving. Once out of the oven, let the chicken rest for 3–5 minutes. This short wait allows the juices to redistribute so every bite stays tender and flavorful.
• Pair with sauces and sides. Since these baked chicken tenders are breading-free, they’re naturally lighter and pair perfectly with dips like ranch, honey mustard, or buffalo sauce. For a balanced meal, serve them alongside roasted veggies, a fresh salad, rice, or one of the sides I have listed below.

What To Serve With Baked Chicken Tenders

• Potatoes: Whether you want some French fries or another potato side, they'll go great with the unbreaded chicken tenders. Some of my favorites are Taco Bell nacho fries, ranch potatoes, and pan-fried potatoes.
• Salad: For a healthy meal, you can cut the chicken up and toss it in this Olive Garden salad, house salad, or La Scala chopped salad.
• Veggies: If you want a healthy side, try serving the chicken with these Longhorn brussel sprouts or artichoke casserole.

How To Store and Reheat Baked Chicken Tenders

This recipe for baked chicken tenders makes about 2 servings, so while it would make a perfect lunch or dinner for two, I wouldn't expect to have any leftovers. However, if you do end up with some leftover chicken tenders, you can store the cooked chicken tenders in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. To reheat your chicken tenders, all you have to do is transfer them back to a baking sheet and reheat them in the oven at 350°F for about 10-12 minutes, or until they're fully reheated.  Alternatively, to warm them up even faster, you can reheat the tenders in an air fryer at 375°F for 4-5 minutes or until they're nice and warm.

To keep them for longer, let the chicken tenders cool completely, then freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once solid, transfer them to a freezer bag or an airtight container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. Reheat straight from frozen in a 375°F oven until hot and crispy, about 15–20 minutes.

More Chicken Recipes

If you're in need of even more easy chicken recipes, then we have a ton on the blog for you to try next!

Here are some reader favorites:

• Lemon chicken
• Marry me chicken
  
• Fried chicken without buttermilk
• Chicken noodle casserole
• Oven baked chicken with cream of chicken soup

Oh, and make sure to check us out on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube for even more deliciousness! We post new recipes on them every day.