10+ Chicken Strip Recipes to Satisfy Every Craving

Chicken strips—honestly, who doesn’t love them? They’re easy to make, super versatile, and you can dress them up a bunch of different ways.

Whether you’re after something crunchy, oven-baked, or smothered in a killer sauce, chicken strips can slide right into any meal you’ve got planned.

It doesn’t take much to whip up delicious chicken strips at home. Just grab a few pantry staples and you’re set.

This lineup covers quick recipes, bold flavors, and all kinds of cooking methods so you can mix things up whenever the craving hits.

1) Buttermilk Marinated Fried Chicken Tenders

Marinating chicken tenders in buttermilk makes them ridiculously tender and juicy. The buttermilk’s acidity breaks down the meat just enough, so you get that perfect bite.

Let the chicken soak for at least 4 hours—overnight if you remember. After marinating, dredge the chicken in a seasoned flour mix. That’s where all the crunch comes from.

Pan-fry or deep-fry until golden brown and cooked through. You’ll know they’re done when they hit 165°F (74°C) inside.

Pair these with your favorite dipping sauce. It’s an easy win.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken tenders
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Marinate chicken tenders in buttermilk for 4-12 hours in the fridge.
2. Mix flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder in a shallow dish.
3. Remove chicken from buttermilk and let excess drip off.
4. Coat tenders in seasoned flour, pressing so it sticks.
5. Heat oil in a pan or deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
6. Fry tenders 4-6 minutes, turning to brown evenly.
7. Check for 165°F (74°C) inside.
8. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

2) Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders

Garlic butter chicken tenders come together in about 15 minutes. They’re buttery, garlicky, and just a little bit fancy for a weeknight.

Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and your favorite spice blend—maybe paprika or Italian seasoning. Cook the tenders in butter till golden, then toss in minced garlic for a quick hit of flavor.

Serve them with rice, pasta, or even just a big green salad. They’re weeknight heroes, honestly.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken tenders
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika or Italian seasoning

Cooking Instructions

1. Pat chicken dry and season with salt, pepper, and paprika or Italian seasoning.
2. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
3. Add chicken tenders and cook 3-4 minutes per side.
4. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute, stirring gently.
5. Serve warm.

For more on this recipe, check out garlic butter chicken tenderloins stovetop recipe.

3) Crispy Baked Chicken Strips with Cracker Crumbs

Crushed crackers make a killer crunchy coating for baked chicken strips. You skip the deep fryer and still get loads of texture.

Smash up some Ritz or saltines, season the crumbs, and coat your chicken. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 18 minutes, flipping halfway for even color.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken breast strips
• 1 cup crushed crackers (Ritz or saltines)
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 egg

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Beat egg in a bowl.
3. Mix cracker crumbs with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
4. Dip chicken in egg, then coat with cracker crumbs.
5. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
6. Bake 18 minutes, flipping after 10.

4) Air Fryer Golden Chicken Tenders

Air fryers make chicken tenders crazy crispy in no time. Dip strips in egg, then into seasoned flour or panko for extra crunch.

Lay them in a single layer in the air fryer. Cook at 400°F (200°C) for 5 to 6 minutes per side, flipping halfway.

Your tenders will come out golden and juicy. It’s a nice shortcut to crispy chicken without all the oil.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenders
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup seasoned flour or panko breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Beat the egg in a bowl.
2. Mix flour or panko with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Dip each chicken tender in egg, then coat with the seasoned flour or panko.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
5. Place tenders in a single layer in the basket.
6. Air fry for 5 to 6 minutes per side, flipping halfway.
7. Check for doneness and cook a bit longer if needed.

5) Pan-Fried Crispy Chicken Strips

Pan-frying keeps things simple and fast. Coat chicken strips in beaten eggs and seasoned flour for a crunchy crust.

Heat oil in a pan (medium heat works). Cook chicken about 4 minutes on one side, then flip and cook another 3 to 4 minutes.

They should be golden and cooked through. These are awesome for snacking or tossing on top of a salad.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken strips
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp paprika
• ¼ cup vegetable oil or more for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Beat eggs in a bowl.
2. Mix flour, salt, pepper, and paprika in another bowl.
3. Dip chicken into eggs, then coat in flour mix.
4. Heat oil in a pan over medium (about 350°F / 175°C).
5. Fry chicken 4 minutes on one side.
6. Flip and fry 3-4 minutes more.
7. Drain on paper towels.

6) Hot Honey Glazed Chicken Tenders

Hot honey glazed chicken tenders bring sweet and spicy together in the best way. You get crispy chicken tossed in a sticky honey-hot sauce glaze.

Bake or fry the tenders, then coat them in the warm sauce right after cooking. The combo of honey and hot sauce with a little garlic and cayenne is just right—not overpowering, but definitely not boring.

Ingredients

• Chicken tenders
• Honey
• Hot sauce
• Garlic powder
• Cayenne pepper
• Salt
• Pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. Season chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne.
3. Bake tenders 12–15 minutes.
4. Warm honey and hot sauce in a saucepan over medium-low for 5 minutes.
5. Toss cooked tenders in the hot honey sauce.
6. Serve warm.

Find more details at Dished by Kate.

7) Oven-Baked Toasted Breadcrumb Chicken Tenders

Toasted breadcrumbs make oven-baked chicken tenders extra crunchy. Toast the breadcrumbs first for deeper flavor and a sturdier coating.

Coat seasoned chicken in the toasted crumbs, then bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes. You’ll get juicy chicken with a real crunch—no frying mess.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken tenders
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Toast breadcrumbs in a dry pan until golden.
3. Mix in garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Brush chicken with olive oil.
5. Press into breadcrumb mix.
6. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
7. Bake 20 minutes or until crispy and cooked through.

For more tips, check out the Truly Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Tenders recipe.

8) Tuscan Style Chicken Tenders

Tuscan chicken tenders simmer in a creamy sauce with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. Start by seasoning and searing the chicken until it’s golden.

Next, simmer the tenders in a sauce made from cream, garlic, and parmesan. The flavors come together fast and make the chicken extra tasty.

This one’s rich and comforting, but not fussy. Serve it over pasta, rice, or just with a handful of greens.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken tenders
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the chicken tenders.

2. Warm some olive oil in a pan set over medium heat.

3. Sear the chicken. Let each side get golden, about 3-4 minutes per side. Take them out and set aside.

4. Toss garlic into the pan. Sauté it for about a minute, just until fragrant.

5. Pour in the heavy cream and parmesan. Stir until everything melts together.

6. Throw in sun-dried tomatoes and spinach. Let it cook until the spinach wilts down.

7. Put the chicken back into the pan. Let it simmer for 5 minutes.

8. Serve while it’s still warm.

For more details, check out the Creamy Tuscan Chicken recipe.

9) Chicken and Waffles with Fried Tenders

Chicken and waffles—now there’s a combo that just works. Crispy fried chicken strips meet soft, sweet waffles.

You’ll want to season those tenders well and fry them until they’re golden and crunchy. Buttermilk makes a great marinade if you want juicy, flavorful chicken.

Pile the chicken right on top of warm waffles. Maple syrup or honey? Go for it. Want a kick? Add a dash of hot sauce.

Ingredients:

• Chicken tenders
• Buttermilk
• Flour
• Salt
• Pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Waffles (homemade or store-bought)
• Maple syrup or honey
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions:

1. Let chicken tenders soak in buttermilk for 1-2 hours.

2. In a bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.

3. Coat the chicken in the flour mixture until it’s well covered.

4. Heat oil to 350°F (175°C).

5. Fry the chicken tenders. Give them about 4-5 minutes, until they’re golden.

6. Cook your waffles—follow the package or your favorite recipe.

7. Stack waffles on a plate, top with fried chicken, and drizzle with syrup or honey.

10) Mongolian Sauce Chicken Tenders

These chicken tenders come smothered in a sweet and savory Mongolian sauce. The sauce is super simple—soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and a little sesame oil.

It comes together fast, which is great if you’re in a rush. The chicken gets crispy outside and soaks up all that sauce.

Serve it with rice or steamed veggies. It’s a nice, easy meal.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken breast tenders
• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup soy sauce
• ½ cup water
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Toss chicken tenders in cornstarch. Make sure they’re well coated.

2. Heat some oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until it’s crispy and cooked through—usually takes about 5 to 7 minutes.

3. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, water, brown sugar, garlic, and a splash of sesame oil.

4. Pour the sauce into your pan. Let it cook for around 3 minutes until it thickens up.

5. Toss the chicken in the sauce. Serve it hot, and maybe sneak a bite before anyone else does.