Shake and Bake chicken is a comfort food dinner that many of us remember from our childhood. By using my recipe for homemade Shake n Bake mix, you can easily make a batch of baked panko chicken tenders for dinner tonight. You’ll love being able to make this recipe without any store-bought mix and have it on the table in 25 minutes!
To save even more time, you can make crispy shake and bake chicken in an air fryer instead of the oven! We share the instructions below.
Looking for a unbreaded chicken tenders recipe? Then you’ll love our recipe for cooking chicken strips in the oven.
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Why We Love This Recipe
- Homemade seasonings and spice blends make for the best crispy poultry strips.
Because you can control the quality of ingredients that go into the breading mix, you’ll know that the breading is fresh and wholesome (no frying needed!). - Everyone loves them!
Whether you’re a kid or just young at heart, everyone will love these crispy, juicy tenders. Especially dipping them in your favorite sauces (see below for our suggestions)! - Easy to make with fresh or frozen pieces!
If you forget to thaw your meat first, it’s okay! That happens to us more often than we want to admit. Learn how to thaw frozen poultry pieces right in the air fryer!
Mixing up this recipe is just as easy as using the store-bought mix. Simply mix the spices and panko, then cook up Bisquick fried chicken in oven or air fryer. Then you have a delicious, juicy meal the whole family will love!
See our Video Tutorial below!
To see the process of breading and baking the recipe from start to finish, scroll down to the recipe card and watch the video!
Check out our other easy poultry recipes like nashville hot chicken tenders, caprese chicken skillet, and chicken asparagus bake!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Boneless chicken
For the best results, check what is a chicken tenderloin post.
I do not recommend using frozen for this baked panko chicken tenders recipe because the moisture during thawing will cause the breading to fall off. See our notes for thawing in the air fryer above.
If you have frozen tenders, you could use them for no-breading recipes like chicken tenders in Instant Pot or blackened tenders chicken recipe. - Melted butter
If you need a butter substitute, olive oil or any cooking oil can be used. Brushing it over the raw tenderloins allows the shake and bake mixture to adhere. - Panko crumbs
Use panko bread crumbs for the crispiest shake n bake chicken. Regular bread crumbs can be used, but your baked tenderloins will be slightly less crispy. - Seasonings
We use a simple but flavorful blend of onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, fine sea salt, and ground black pepper for the tastiest dinner.
Before removing it from the oven, just be sure to use an instant-read cooking thermometer to ensure that it is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Did you know you can make your own tenders from breasts? Check our how to cut a chicken breast into strips tips!
Important Recipe Tips
- Trim any excess fat, and apply oil to prevent sticking.
Use a sharp knife to remove any visible fat from the tenderloins. Then, use a pastry brush to apply a little bit of oil or melted butter over each one.
- Use a dipping tray or Ziploc bag for easier cleanup.
Add the panko breadcrumbs and seasonings to a zip-top food storage bag, a dipping tray, or a plate.
- Avoid coating too many pieces at a time.
If you’re going to shake the breading on (versus using a plate), place no more than 4 strips in the bag at a time. This ensures that every tender gets covered with breading.
If using a breading tray or plate, spread the homemade shake ‘n bake seasoning mix into an even layer. Then, simply lay the tenderloins into the mixture and gently press to help the mixture adhere.
How To Make Shake and Bake Chicken in the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. While the oven is heating, spray a shallow casserole dish or baking sheet with cooking spray or oil spray.
- Place the panko-breaded chicken tenderloins on the prepared casserole pan or a baking sheet. Be sure to leave some space between each piece so air can circulate around them.
That hot air is important to achieve the crispest exterior!
If desired, add fresh or frozen green beans, asparagus, sliced bell pepper, or broccoli. Use softer veggies (not potatoes); otherwise, they will not cook through.
Bake at 375ºF for 15 to 17 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165ºF in the center.
How to make Shake and Bake Chicken in Air Fryer
- To make this recipe in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 350° F. if needed
Spray the fryer basket or use a paper liner to keep the tenderloins from sticking.
Add the poultry to the air fryer basket. Then air fry at 350°F. for 10-12 minutes.
Check that the internal temperature reaches 165ºF with a meat thermometer before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your homemade baked tenders with your favorite dipping sauces and side dishes. We love having garlic mashed potatoes instant, griddle-roasted veggies, or a recipe for cowboy salad with this entree.
Popular dipping sauces for crispy panko chicken tenders are ranch, our homemade BBQ sauce easy no-cook, Asian dipping sauce, easy quick marinara sauce, or hot sweet honey mustard.
Recipe FAQs
You should bake them at 375ºF for 15 minutes to 17 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 165ºF in the center before it is removed from the oven.
We do not recommend using frozen for this breaded recipe. As the tenderloins thaw during baking, the moisture will cause the panko breading to fall off.
Using panko breadcrumbs creates a crispier coating. This is because panko breadcrumbs are larger and flakier than the breadcrumbs used in a traditional Shake n Bake mix.
Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. To freeze, seal them in an airtight bag or storage container and place them in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Get More Easy Dinner Recipes…
- Sheet Pan Pork Tenderloin
- Sheet Pan Meals
- Pork Street Tacos
- Beefy Green Bean Casserole with Tater Tots
If you tried this shake-and-bake chicken tenders recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
DIY Shake and Bake Chicken Tenders
Equipment
- casserole dish or baking sheet - (if oven baking)
- basting brush
- Ziplock bag, plates, or dipping trays
- air fryer - (if air frying)
Ingredients
- 1½ pounds chicken tenderloins (fresh or frozen) *for frozen, see notes below*
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or olive oil
- ½ cup panko or breadcrumbs
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoons paprika
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
Prepare the tenderloins
- Place them on a plate or a sheet of wax paper or plate. Brush the melted butter or oil on the strips. Coat them all over.
- Add panko or breadcrumbs and seasonings to a ziplock bag, dipping tray, or plate and stir or shake to mix. Place about 4 strips in the bag (don't crowd them) and shake them to coat with the shake and bake seasonings and panko. Or dip the tenders into the seasoning mix on a plate or dipping tray. Press gently if needed for coating to stick.
Baking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ºF. Prepare the shallow casserole dish or baking sheet by spraying it with cooking oil.
- Place coated chicken tenderloins on the prepared casserole pan or a baking sheet. Add fresh or frozen green beans, asparagus, sliced bell pepper, or broccoli, if desired.
- Bake at 375ºF for 15- 17 minutes, until golden and crisp. Check the internal temperature to see if they are at least 165ºF in the center. Remove from the oven.
- Serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauces.
Air Fryer Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 350ºF, if needed.
- Add the breaded chicken tenders to the air fryer basket. Air fry them for 10-12 minutes, until golden and crisp. Check the internal temperature of the chicken strips to ensure they are 165º internally before serving.
- Serve the chicken tenders warm with your favorite dipping sauces.
Video
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Holly says
There chicken tenders are amazing! Juicy and tender on the inside and extra crispy not the outside.
Mimi says
This dish looks so crispy and tasty! My kids will love it!
Heather says
Quick, easy, delicious and super moist chicken! Love this easy recipe, it’s a hit and comes together so quickly. Thank you!