Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Prep the Oven & Baking Sheet
- First, preheat your oven to 350F (175C). While the oven heats, prepare your baking setup by placing a wire rack onto a rimmed baking sheet. For easy cleanup, line the baking sheet with parchment paper before placing the wire rack on top. This catches any drips and makes washing up a breeze.
Tendon Removal (Optional but Recommended)
- While this step is optional, it is recommended for the best texture. Chicken tenderloins often have a tough, white tendon running through them. To remove it, hold one end of the tendon with a paper towel for grip. Then, slide a fork underneath the tendon, against the chicken, and pull the chicken away from the fork. This will cleanly pull out the tendon, preventing any chewy, rubbery bites.
Marinate the Chicken
- In a medium bowl, combine your chicken tenders with the avocado oil, tamari, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper. Toss everything together until the chicken is well coated. Let it sit and marinate while your oven preheats, ideally for at least 15-20 minutes. This allows the flavors to truly absorb into the chicken.
Apply the Crispy Twist
- Once your chicken has marinated, lightly dust the chicken tenders evenly with the 1 teaspoon of cornstarch or baking powder. Make sure each piece gets a thin, even coating. This step is crucial for achieving that breading-free crispiness.
Arrange for Even Cooking
- Transfer the dusted chicken tenders to your prepared wire rack on the baking sheet. Arrange them in a single layer, making sure not to crowd the pan. Giving each tender enough space is essential for optimal air circulation, which in turn leads to perfectly crispy results. Crowding can cause the chicken to steam instead of bake, resulting in a less desirable texture.
Bake to Perfection
- Bake the chicken tenders in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Use an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of a tender to check for doneness; it should read 165F (74C). If you removed the tendons and the tenders split into thinner pieces, they might cook faster, so start checking a minute or two early.
Broil for Golden Finish (Optional but Recommended)
- For an extra golden finish and enhanced crispiness, turn on your broiler once the chicken reaches 165F (74C). Broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully as broilers can quickly go from golden to burnt. Aim for a lovely golden brown.
Serve & Enjoy
- Once removed from the oven, serve your perfectly cooked, crispy baked chicken tenders immediately. They are best enjoyed hot with your favorite dipping sauce and complementary side dishes.
Nutrition
Notes
For reheating, use an oven at 350F (175C) for 10-15 minutes or an air fryer at 350F (175C) for 5-8 minutes to restore crispiness. Storing leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.