This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my disclosure policy for details.
Get a healthy, crunchy breaded chicken on the table for dinner tonight in under 45 minutes with this Oven Fried Lemon Panko Breaded Chicken Tenders Recipe.
There’s a special place in heaven for dishes that come together easily and quickly, yet look like you slaved over them for hours. Bonus points for a dish that has crunch and satisfying flavor while being a lighter and easier clean up version than it’s famous fried brother.
I created this dish one evening when I was craving some solid protein and the aforementioned crunch. I pictured a salty lemon sauce to balance it out and boy, did it deliver.
Some helpful panko-breaded chicken recipe notes:
- Bake your chicken on parchment paper to keep that crunch and have the easiest clean up possible.
- Create a little assembly line of bowls right next to the sheet so you can move from one bowl to the next with minimal mess.
- Use one hand to move the chicken from bowl to bowl and dredge it in egg and the other hand to sprinkle the flour and panko on it to avoid having a gummy, crummy mess on your hands (literally).
Ok, I’m done telling you what to do. Except, you should go make this -- now. The rest of your evening will thank you.
How to make this healthy oven-fried chicken gluten-free!
Also, you’re not exempt from the aforementioned commands, my gluten free friends: thanks to gluten free flour and panko, this dish can also be made to meet those requirements too.
I especially love serving this with angel hair pasta tossed with butter and sauteed garlic so feel free to sub in another gluten-free pasta, but it’s also great with a salad and possibly some Portuguese potatoes.
These panko-breaded chicken tenders are...
- Light
- Crunchy
- Savory
- Tender
Pretty much everything you want in a chicken tender -- not to mention a healthy one! They're pretty much calling out to be on your dinner table tonight and promise they won't disappoint.
If you made and liked this recipe, don't forget to rate the recipe and let me know how it went for you in the comments! It always makes my day to hear from you!
Please share your recipe comments and feedback. It helps us create better content and helps other readers find what they're looking for.