A deliciously crunchy twist on classic chicken tenders: crispy cornflake coating, juicy interior, and perfect for dipping. Ideal for family dinners, gatherings, or snack time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Extra Crunch: The cornflake crust offers a satisfying crispiness that beats traditional breadcrumbs.
- Kid-Approved: A fun and flavorful way to get little ones excited about eating chicken.
- Easy Prep: Simple steps, minimal ingredients, and fast assembly make this an approachable recipe for any cook.
- Versatile: Pair it with your favorite dipping sauces like BBQ, ranch, or honey mustard for a variety of flavor experiences.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 1 lb chicken tenders or sliced chicken breast
- 2 cups cornflakes, crushed
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Cooking spray or olive oil
- Optional: BBQ sauce, ranch, or honey mustard for dipping
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it.
- Place crushed cornflakes in a shallow dish.
- In a separate dish, combine the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Beat the eggs in another shallow bowl.
- Dredge each piece of chicken first in the flour mixture, then dip in beaten egg, and finally coat thoroughly with crushed cornflakes—press gently to adhere.
- Arrange the coated tenders on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray or drizzle a little olive oil for enhanced crispiness.
- Bake for 20–22 minutes, flipping the tenders halfway through, until they turn golden and reach an internal temperature of 165 °F (74 °C).
- Remove from oven and serve immediately with your favorite dipping sauces.
Servings and timing
- Servings: 4 (about 3–4 tenders per person)
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 20–22 minutes
- Total time: Approximately 30–32 minutes
Variations
- Spicy Kick: Add ¼ tsp cayenne pepper or chili powder to the flour mixture.
- Herb-Infused: Fold in 1 tsp dried parsley or Italian seasoning with the cornflakes.
- Grated Cheese: Mix ¼ cup grated Parmesan into the crushed cornflakes for added depth of flavor.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use gluten-free flour and certified gluten-free cornflakes.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating:
- Oven: Preheat to 375 °F (190 °C) and bake for 8–10 minutes until reheated and crispy.
- Air Fryer: Heat at 350 °F (175 °C) for approximately 3–5 minutes.
- Microwave: Not recommended, as the coating will lose its crispiness.
FAQs
1. Can I use chicken breast instead of tenders?
Yes—you can slice chicken breast into strips of similar size so they cook evenly.
2. How can I make these extra crispy?
Lightly spray the tenders with cooking oil before baking and flip them halfway through cooking.
3. Can I freeze these tenders?
Absolutely. Freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transfer to a zip‑top bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in the oven at 375 °F (190 °C) for 15–18 minutes.
4. Are cornflakes healthier than breadcrumbs?
Cornflakes offer similar carbohydrates but provide a different texture; check nutrition labels for specifics.
5. What dipping sauces work best?
Popular choices include BBQ sauce, ranch, honey mustard, ketchup, or your favorite hot sauce.
6. Can I bake these ahead of time?
Yes—prepare and bake as directed, then reheat just before serving to retain crispiness.
7. What internal temperature should the chicken reach?
165 °F (74 °C) for safe consumption, measured with a meat thermometer.
8. Can I substitute eggs in the dredging process?
You can use buttermilk or a plant‑based milk alternative, but eggs help the cornflake crust stick best.
9. Can these be cooked in an air fryer?
Yes—cook at 375 °F (190 °C) for about 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
10. What if I don’t have cornflakes?
Panko breadcrumbs or crushed pretzels are good substitutes, though texture and flavor will vary.
Conclusion
Crispy Cornflake Chicken Tenders are a flavorful, kid-friendly, and easy-to-make dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. With customizable coatings and dipping sauces, this recipe is sure to become a regular favorite in your kitchen. Enjoy the satisfying crunch!
Print
Crispy Cornflake Chicken Tenders
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Description
Golden, oven-baked chicken tenders coated in a crunchy cornflake crust. Kid-friendly, perfect for parties or snacks, and ideal for dipping.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken tenders or sliced chicken breast
- 2 cups cornflakes, crushed
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Cooking spray or olive oil
- Optional: BBQ sauce, ranch, or honey mustard for dipping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease.
- Crush cornflakes into coarse crumbs and place in a shallow dish.
- In a second dish, mix flour with paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Beat eggs in a third dish.
- Dredge each chicken piece in flour, dip in egg, then coat with crushed cornflakes. Press lightly to adhere.
- Place coated tenders on the baking sheet. Lightly spray with oil for extra crispiness.
- Bake for 20–22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and fully cooked.
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Use gluten-free flour and cornflakes for a gluten-free version.
- Adjust seasoning to taste with herbs or spices like cayenne or onion powder.
- Serve with a variety of dips to suit different preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
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