Crispiest Healthier Baked Chicken (Printer-Friendly)

Tender, crispy chicken strips baked to golden perfection with aromatic spices and a crunchy coating.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch thick strips

→ Dry Ingredients

02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1 teaspoon onion powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
08 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
09 - 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
10 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Wet Ingredients

11 - 2 large eggs
12 - 1/4 cup milk
13 - 1/4 cup olive oil

→ Other

14 - Cooking spray

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Trim chicken breasts and slice into 1-inch thick strips, ensuring uniform size for even cooking.
02 - Combine all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dried thyme in a shallow dish and whisk until evenly blended.
03 - In a separate shallow dish, whisk together eggs and milk until homogeneous.
04 - Mix panko breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese in a third shallow dish to ensure an even distribution.
05 - Coat each chicken strip thoroughly in seasoned flour, shaking off excess to achieve a thin layer.
06 - Immerse floured chicken strips into the egg wash fully, letting excess drip off before proceeding.
07 - Press egg-washed chicken strips into the panko and Parmesan mixture until entirely covered.
08 - Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper; lightly spray with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
09 - Place breaded chicken strips on baking sheet in a single layer without touching to ensure crispiness.
10 - Brush the chicken strips evenly with olive oil to promote browning and crisp texture.
11 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F and coating is golden and crunchy.
12 - For extra crispness, broil for 1 to 2 minutes while monitoring closely to avoid burning.
13 - Allow chicken tenders to rest off the heat for several minutes to redistribute juices and enhance tenderness.

# Helpful Hints:

01 - Do not overcrowd the baking sheet to prevent steaming and preserve crispy texture.
02 - Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches FDA-recommended safe temperature of 165°F.
03 - Fresh panko breadcrumbs yield superior crispiness compared to stale ones.
04 - Let tenders rest briefly before serving to ensure juicy, tender results.

Go Back