Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders

4.86 from 14 votes
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Classic baked chicken tenders get a boost of flavor and texture, thanks to the garlic, onions, sesame seeds and poppy seeds in Everything Bagel seasoning! This easy Everything Bagel Chicken is sure to become a regular on your weekly menu.

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Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders arranged on a round plate and served with honey mustard dipping sauce

The Most Flavorful Baked Chicken Tenders Ever!

Okay, so I’ve always been a fan of “everything bagels.” Poppy seeds, onions, garlic, two kinds of sesame seeds, and salt? I mean, seriously, that’s a mouthful of flavor. A little cream cheese, maybe a little lox, and we’re in business. Tasty business.

But, who knew that the ingredients studded across the top of this beloved bagel would soon become their own phenomenon? That’s right, everything bagel seasoning is popping up everywhere, on everything. And, once you taste these delicious chicken tenders, I’m sure you’ll be a fan!

For this recipe, we’re taking regular baked chicken tenders, which are pretty much everyone’s low-key favorite food, right? HELLO Coconut Chicken Breast Tenders, and YOU perfectly Oven Baked Chicken Tenders. 😍 Clearly, they are a favorite in my household. 😊

So, yeah, we’re not only making chicken tenders, AGAIN, but we’re also adding a huge dose of savory “everything” flavor, too!

Serve these amazing, easy chicken tenders with your favorite dip, and then sit back and thank yourself!

Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders on a white background served with dipping sauce

What You’ll Need

You only need a few ingredients to pull these baked chicken tenders together, and since they only have to bake for a short time, they’re more than easy enough for a weeknight!

  • Chicken: This recipe is for 1 pound of chicken breast tenders. If using frozen tenders, thaw them out beforehand.
  • Egg & Milk: We’ll achieve that classic breading texture and taste with the help of one whole egg and ¼ cup of milk.
  • Flour & Bread Crumbs: To make this breading gluten-free, substitute gluten-free flour and pork rind Panko bread crumbs. 
  • Everything Bagel Seasoning: This fun and versatile spice blend tastes amazing with chicken! 
  • Paprika: Paprika’s subtle but hearty taste brings out the best in meats. 
  • Olive Oil Spray: You’ll need 1 to 2 teaspoons of olive oil spray.
  • Dipping Sauces: Of choice, for serving.
Everything Bagel seasoning mix for chicken tenders

How to Make Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders

To make these chicken tenders, I recommend setting everything out in advance so you can focus on the breading technique. Have clean paper towels or a clean kitchen towel ready to wipe your hands.

  1. Prep Oven & Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 425˚F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. 
  2. Make Breading Mixtures: In one bowl, whisk together the egg and milk. In another bowl, combine the flour, breadcrumbs, everything bagel seasoning, and paprika.
  3. Bread Chicken: Dip the chicken tenders, one at a time, into the bread mixture, then egg mixture, and back to the breading mixture. Place the breaded chicken tenders on your previously prepared baking sheet.
  4. Bake: To get a crispier result, spray olive oil evenly over the chicken tenders. Bake for 10 minutes; then, flip the chicken tenders over. Continue to bake for 8 more minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and the internal temperature registers at 163˚F to 165˚F.
  5. Enjoy! Remove your chicken tenders from the oven and let them stand for a couple of minutes. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce.
raw chicken tenders covered with everything bagel seasoning mix

Tips for Success

  • Pre-Soak the Chicken: If you have time, try soaking your chicken tenders in milk for about 30 minutes prior to cooking. The milk helps to tenderize the chicken and keep it moist during cooking. Pat dry the chicken tenders with paper towels before breading.
  • Oil Both Sides: To get evenly crispy chicken, make sure to spritz the first side of the chicken lightly with oil, and then when you flip the chicken, spritz the second side, too.
  • Use a Meat Thermometer: To make sure the chicken is fully cooked, test it with an instant-read meat thermometer. If your chicken tenders are small, test it a few minutes early, just in case. This will help prevent overcooking.
baked Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders

Serving Suggestions

Here are some of my favorite easy sides to make along with chicken tenders! They’re simple, healthy and flavorful.

  • Delicious Dips: Try the addicting Honey Sriracha Sauce from this recipe or (swoon) some homemade Parsley Pesto! Or just try them with ketchup! You really can’t go wrong.
  • A Crispy Side: Pull out your trusty air fryer and make some Zucchini Fries! They’re seasoned with Parmesan and go perfectly with chicken. Mmm.
  • Crunchy Salad: I like to incorporate some cool and crisp freshness with a veggie-filled salad. Avocado Tomato Salad is always a great choice!

How to Store and Reheat Baked Chicken Tenders

  • Place leftover chicken in airtight food storage containers or food storage bags.
  • Refrigerate it for up to 4 days.
  • To reheat baked chicken tenders, take them out of the refrigerator and allow them to stand at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Then, bake the chicken tenders at 350°F until they’re heated through, turning once. 
close up of six Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders arranged on a round plate and served with honey mustard dipping sauce

Can I Freeze Extras?

  • You can freeze extra chicken tenders, and it’s easy! Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer bag. Freeze for 2 to 3 months.
  • Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
4.86 from 14 votes

Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders

Classic baked chicken tenders get a turbo-boost of flavor and texture, thanks to the garlic, onions, sesame seeds and poppy seeds in Everything Bagel seasoning!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients 

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Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 425˚F.
  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil; set aside.
  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together egg and milk. Set aside.
  • In another mixing bowl or plate, combine flour, breadcrumbs, everything bagel seasoning, and paprika.
  • Dip chicken tenders, one at a time, into the bread mixture; then, dip into the egg mixture, pull up the chicken and let excess egg drip off. Finally, roll it in the breading mixture one more time.
  • Place the breaded chicken tenders on previously prepared baking sheet.
  • Spray olive oil evenly over the chicken tenders.
  • Bake for 10 minutes.
  • Flip the chicken over, spray with cooking oil, and continue to cook for 8 more minutes, or until golden brown, and internal temperature registers at 165˚F.
  • Remove from oven and let stand couple minutes.
  • Serve chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce.

Equipment

  • Oven

Nutrition

Calories: 304kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 157mg | Sodium: 546mg | Potassium: 702mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 390IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

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32 Comments

  1. Beth says:

    5 stars
    These chicken tenders have become my teens new favorite for lunch! So delicious and very tasty. We love using everything bagel seasoning and it was bursting with flavor! Definitely, making these again for lunch tomorrow!

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      That’s great to hear! I’m very happy everyone enjoyed these! Thank YOU! 🙂

  2. Krystle says:

    5 stars
    We love Everything but the bagel seasoning. These are so flavorful!

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      I’m happy you enjoyed these! Thank you!! 🙂

  3. Sandra says:

    5 stars
    It is so tasty! Everyone at my house loved it!

    1. Katerina Petrovska says:

      That’s great! I’m very glad everyone enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂

  4. Dana says:

    This is a great recipe. However all my tenders stuck, so one side. I used the spray and aluminum foil. Next time I’ll use parchment paper. But we enjoyed them just the same!

    1. Kitti says:

      I used parchment paper & heavily sprayed. No sticking! Also, I used 1/2 tsp of Jalapeño EBS, cause I had it and my husband likes spicy, the rest was ‘regular’. He used Tabasco as his dipping sauce. We will fight over the leftovers tomorrow …

      1. Katerina Petrovska says:

        I’m very glad you and your husband enjoyed it! Thank YOU! 🙂

  5. KayDubb says:

    3 stars
    I’m not one for negative feedback, but this wasn’t really a favorite. It could be my homemade bagel mix but it was kind bland with bagel flavor buried in the flour. I sprayed as recommended, but clearly need a lot more to crisp it up. Worked ok with lots of dressing on our salad.

    1. Katerina says:

      Thank you for giving the recipe a try and for sharing your honest feedback! I’m sorry to hear it didn’t quite hit the mark for you. The difference might be in the homemade seasoning used. Perhaps a bit more salt or adjusting the seasoning could enhance the flavors.