Buffalo Chicken Tenders

This Buffalo Chicken Tenders recipe is baked instead of fried and the tenders are perfectly seasoned and turn out incredibly crispy without the need for lots of oil.

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Why You’ll Love This Buffalo Chicken Tenders Recipe

• Crispy without extra oil – these buffalo chicken tenders are baked and not fried which means they’re made with less oil but still perfectly crispy.
• Easy to make – making chicken tenders at home is easier than you may think! All you need are a few simple ingredients!
• You can customize them – truly make these chicken tenders your own by adjusting the amount of seasoning or adding extra buffalo sauce. That’s one of the best things about making chicken tenders at home!

More Reader Favorite Buffalo Recipes

• Easy Shredded Buffalo Chicken
• Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
• Buffalo Cauliflower Tacos
• Crispy Buffalo Ranch Chicken Nuggets
• Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower
• Healthy Buffalo Chicken Salad 

Ingredients

Chicken Tenders: I like to use chicken tenderloins for this recipe. They’re lean, cook quickly, and you can typically find them pretty easily at your local grocery store. Or, you could cut chicken breasts into tenders yourself. 

Almond Milk: you can use coconut milk, dairy milk, or a different dairy-free milk if you prefer.

Buffalo Sauce: you can’t have buffalo chicken tenders without buffalo sauce! Choose your favorite brand for this recipe. Just be sure you are using buffalo sauce and not hot sauce. 

Eggs: these act as binders and help the breadcrumbs stick to the chicken. 

Panko Breadcrumbs: these are a type of Japanese breadcrumb that is light and airy in texture, resulting in perfectly crispy chicken tenders every time. You will likely find these in the spice or baking aisle of your local grocery store. Or, you might also find them in the international aisle. If you’re concerned about making this recipe gluten free, be sure to double-check the label, and use a certified gluten free version. 

Herbs and Spices: you’ll need salt, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, dried chives, and dried parsley for this recipe. 

How to Make Buffalo Chicken Tenders

Step One: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees before you begin. 

Step Two: Add the almond milk, buffalo sauce, and eggs to a mixing bowl, and whisk until well combined. Add the chicken tenders to the bowl, and submerge them in the wet mixture. 

Step Three: Next, pour the breadcrumbs into a mound on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Add a tablespoon of avocado oil to the breadcrumb mound, and toss until the oil is well incorporated. 

Step Four: Spread the breadcrumbs into a single layer on the baking sheet, and bake for 5 to 6 minutes or until the breadcrumbs are lightly golden brown. 

Step Five: Transfer the toasted breadcrumbs to a shallow dish. Then, add all the seasonings and spices, and stir to combine. 

Step Six: Grease a wire rack, and place it over a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. 

Step Seven: Remove a few of the chicken tenders from the egg mixture, and transfer about two tenders at a time to the breadcrumb mixture. Use your fingers to toss the chicken in the mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs into the chicken to help them stick. 

Step Eight: Transfer the coated chicken tenders to the greased wire rack. Bake the chicken for 15 to 18 minutes or until it is golden brown and cooked all the way through. 

Tips and Tricks 

• Try to use chicken tenderloins that are roughly the same size. This will ensure that all of the chicken takes the same time to cook. 
• Do not skip baking the tenders on a wire rack! It’s a game-changer for achieving a crispy texture. Baking them on the rack allows for the air to circulate, cooking the buffalo chicken tenders evenly and preventing the bottoms from becoming soggy. 
• Toast the breadcrumbs before breading the chicken! This will ensure you get golden brown nuggets that are perfectly crispy.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Can I Make This Recipe in the Air Fryer? 

Yes! This recipe works well in the air fryer and turns out equally as juicy and crisp. To air fry your buffalo chicken tenders, preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and grease the air fryer basket. 

Then, bread the tenders as the recipe card states, and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer. Work in batches if needed! Air fry for about 10 minutes, flipping the tenders over halfway through.  

Serving Suggestions

This buffalo chicken tenders recipe is plenty flavorful on its own, but you can never have too much sauce! Serve it with extra buffalo sauce or ranch dressing for dipping. 

Then, make it a meal by pairing it with your favorite sides! Some great pairing options include: 

• Crispy Homemade Air Fryer French Fries
• Crispy Baked Potato Wedges
• Chipotle Potato Salad
• Cauliflower Mac and Cheese
• Oven Roasted Cauliflower
• Roasted Garlic Lemon Broccoli

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover buffalo chicken tenders in an airtight container for up to 4 days. 

Reheat in the microwave, oven, or air fryer just until heated through. 

More Delicious Chicken Recipes

• Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Wings
• Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
• Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs
• Chicken Parmesan Meatballs
• Chipotle Chicken Sandwich
• Waldorf Chicken Salad

I hope you give these Crispy Buffalo Chicken Tenders a try! They are so easy to make and delicious! If you do give this recipe a try, let me know!

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Recipe by: Ashlea Carver / All the Healthy Things | Photography by: THE MINDFUL HAPA