Last Updated on April 3, 2026 by Janell
I always love finding a new chicken recipe! Sometimes you have chicken tenderloin strips in your freezer and you just don’t want to make the same old chicken strips again. Whether you need an easy chicken tenderloin recipe to get dinner on the table fast or you are looking for easy food prep ideas, these strips are the perfect solution.
What are Chicken Tenderloins?
While I usually keep boneless skinless chicken breasts in my freezer, tenderloins are the smaller, specialized strips of white meat that cook much faster than full breasts.
How to Cook Chicken Breast Tenderloins
There are so many ways to prepare these! While I love using a cast iron skillet or the grill, chicken tenderloin recipes in the oven are a lifesaver on crazy nights. You can even learn how long to cook chicken tenderloins in air fryer (usually 10–12 minutes) to get that crispy texture without the grease.
Mastering the Chicken Tender
For chicken tender recipes baked in ovens, I recommend a simple three-step coating process:
- Flour: Dip the chicken in a flour mixture with salt and black pepper.
- Egg: Submerge in an egg mixture.
- Coating: Finish with breadcrumbs, panko, or even a parmesan cheese coating.
Baking Tip: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Spray your cookie sheet and the top of the chicken with a little olive oil spray for extra crunch. They usually take between 15 – 20 minutes to bake.
13 Best Chicken Tenderloin Recipes for Dinner
If you’re looking for what to cook with tenderloin, here are 13 easy chicken dinner recipes and chicken tender meal ideas to try this week:
- Buttermilk Chicken Tenders: These are the best juicy, oven-baked tenders—crunchy on the outside and tender inside.
- Cheez-It Chicken Tenders: A family favorite that uses a breading mixture of Cheez-Its and regular breadcrumbs.
- Spicy Baked Chicken Tenderloins: Uses a simple marinade of hot sauce, buttermilk, and spices for a flavorful, healthy protein.
- Sheet Pan Chicken Nachos: A unique way to use tenderloins for a quick dinner or a party dish.
- Smoky Parmesan Chicken and Veggies: A naturally gluten-free sheet pan dinner where you can swap the veggies for whatever is on hand.
- Oven-Fried Chicken Parmesan Salad: Features three doses of parmesan cheese so you’ll forget you’re even eating a salad.
- Coconut Breaded Chicken Tenders: These add a tropical flavor to your meal, especially when paired with an apricot honey mustard vinaigrette.
- Extra Crispy Baked Tenders: A totally delicious, juicy version of oven-fried chicken.
- 5-Ingredient Oven-Fried Chicken: Uses a secret ingredient to get that “fried” crunch in only 30 minutes.
- Golden Crispy Baked Tenders: Another healthier version of the deep-fried classic that the whole family will love.
- Cashew Coconut Chicken Tenders: Made with cashews and coconut flakes for an incredibly crispy, dairy-free option.
- Addictively Delicious Chicken Fingers: This recipe includes homemade ranch and honey mustard dipping sauces.
- Culinary Herb Parmesan Tenders: These savory tenders are especially good when served with a baked sweet potato.
Serving and Storage Tips
No chicken strip recipes are complete without the right dipping sauce! Grab some honey mustard, BBQ sauce, ranch, or even Chick-Fil-A sauce.
Leftovers: If you have extra, store them in an airtight container or Ziploc bag. For a fresh meal the next day, chop them up and add them to a salad.
Next time you’re at the store, pick up some tenderloins and try these tenderloin chicken recipes for dinners that make life a little easier!
