๐ Why Crispy Chicken Tenders Belong in Your Meal Plan
Whether you're cooking for kids, teens, or just your future self, crispy chicken tenders are a meal plan MVP. They're easy to prep in batches, incredibly versatile, and so satisfying—especially with the right dipping sauce.
Plus, they reheat beautifully and work across multiple meals: lunch boxes, dinner bowls, wraps, salads, and late-night snacks. Trust us—they never go out of style.
๐ Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken Tenders:
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Chicken breast or tenders – 1.5 lbs, cut into strips
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Buttermilk – 1 cup (for marinating)
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Garlic powder – 1 tsp
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Paprika – 1 tsp
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Salt & pepper – to taste
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Flour – 1 cup
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Eggs – 2, beaten
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Panko breadcrumbs – 1½ cups
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Oil – for frying (or bake/air fry instead)
For the Dipping Sauce (options!):
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Honey Mustard: ¼ cup mayo, 2 tbsp mustard, 1 tbsp honey
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BBQ Ranch: ¼ cup ranch dressing, 2 tbsp BBQ sauce
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Spicy Mayo: ¼ cup mayo, 1 tbsp sriracha, ½ tsp lime juice
๐จ๐ณ How to Make Crispy Chicken Tenders
1. Marinate the Chicken:
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Mix buttermilk, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
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Soak chicken tenders in the mixture for 30 minutes to overnight (for max flavor and tenderness).
2. Bread the Tenders:
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Set up a breading station: flour → egg → panko.
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Dredge each strip in flour, then dip in egg, then coat in panko.
3. Cook:
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Fry: Heat oil in a skillet to 350°F. Fry tenders in batches 3–4 mins per side until golden and cooked through.
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Bake: Bake at 425°F for 18–20 mins on a wire rack.
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Air fry: Spray lightly with oil and cook at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway.
4. Serve with Your Favorite Sauce
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Plate with warm dipping sauces, and enjoy while crispy!
๐️ How They Fit Into Your Weekly Meal Plan
Crispy chicken tenders are meal plan gold:
✅ Make ahead and freeze (just reheat in the oven or air fryer!)
✅ Kid-approved and adult-loved
✅ Customizable sauces to keep it interesting
✅ Great for bento boxes, wraps, salads, or grain bowls
✅ Easy to double the batch for busy weeks
Whether you're meal prepping lunches or looking for a Friday-night dinner, chicken tenders are always the answer.
๐ Variations to Keep It Fresh
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Spicy tenders: Add cayenne to the breading or dip in buffalo sauce
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Parmesan-crusted: Mix shredded parmesan into the panko
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Asian twist: Serve with sweet chili sauce or teriyaki glaze
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Gluten-free: Use almond flour and GF breadcrumbs
๐ด Perfect Pairings for a Full Meal Plan
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Serve with roasted veggies, coleslaw, or mac & cheese
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Add to rice bowls with avocado, corn, and black beans
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Slice and top a Caesar salad or wrap in a tortilla with lettuce and ranch
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Pack with carrot sticks and dipping sauce for lunchboxes
๐ฌ Final Thoughts: Crispy, Dippable, and Meal Plan–Friendly
Crispy Chicken Tenders with Dipping Sauce hit that perfect balance between comfort and convenience. They’re easy to make, easy to store, and way better than takeout—plus, you get full control over ingredients and flavor.
Build your meal plan around something the whole crew will actually want to eat. These chicken tenders deliver every single time.
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