Everything Seasoning Chicken Tenders

Chicken tenders are a go-to in our house, with the kiddos asking for them on the regular. Admittedly, the hubby and I enjoy them, too, but the standard chicken tender can get a little old after a while. Looking for a way to literally spice things up, I came up with this everything seasoning chicken tenders recipe and it’s been a game-changer!

overhead shot of tray of everything seasoning chicken tenders with honey mustard


 

These elevated chicken tenders channel all of that everything spice flavor that we are all in love with on bagels. Plus, the panko bread crumbs add a level of sophistication with the light crunchiness they bring to the table. Trust me — after trying a ton of versions of chicken tenders, I’m confident this one will be a hit with everyone in your house!

Why You’ll Love These Everything Seasoning Chicken Tenders

Crispy chicken tenders coated in a combination of panko breadcrumbs and flavorful everything seasoning- what’s not to love!

  • Your favorite bagel in dinner form – The flavor of the everything bagel that we all know and love is carried over into this dinner favorite.
  • Loved by kids and adults – Chicken tenders are loved by kids of all ages, but this elevated version is loved by adults too!
  • Simple ingredients – Every ingredient on this list is super easy to find at your local grocery store.
close up overhead shot of everything seasoning chicken tenders

Ingredients

With a few simple ingredients and a bunch of spices you may already have on hand, these chicken tenders are easy to toss together any time!

  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (or Chicken Tenderloin Pieces) – While lean, this cut of chicken is still tender and juicy.
  • Large Eggs – Eggs are one of the ingredients that help the seasonings and breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken.
  • Mayonnaise – Mayonnaise adds moisture which helps the tenders to remain juicy.
  • Flour – Flour helps create a light and crispy coating on the chicken tenders.
  • Onion Powder – This simple seasoning adds depth to the blend.
  • Garlic Powder – I’m all about garlicky flavor, and this helps add more to the mix.
  • Coarse Kosher Salt – Salt helps to enhance the other flavors in the seasoning blend.
  • Smoked Paprika – This version of paprika adds a signature smoky flavor to the tenders.
  • Everything Bagel Seasoning – This seasoning is the star of the show, adding a fun and funky combination of spices to the blend.
  • Panko Breadcrumbs – These help to create a perfectly light and crunchy coating.
  • Dipping Sauce– No matter what you are looking for, we have the best sauces for chicken.

How to Make Everything Seasoning Chicken Tenders

Get ready for some serious flavor that only takes a few minutes to prepare! 

  1. Prepare chicken. Slice the chicken into evenly sized strips. 
  2. Make egg wash. Add the eggs, mayo, flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and paprika to a bowl and stir until it becomes pasty. 
  3. Make breading. Add the panko and everything seasoning to another bowl or dish.
  4. Coat chicken. Coat the chicken slices with the mayonnaise mixture before dredging them through the panko crumbs and placing them on a prepared baking sheet. 
  5. Bake. Place the cookie sheet in the oven and bake for the recommended time, flipping halfway through.
  6. Allow to rest. Once the chicken has reached the recommended internal temperature, remove the pan from the oven. Allow the chicken to rest briefly before serving.

What to Serve With Everything Seasoning Chicken Tenders

I can’t help but start off with all of the dipping sauces that these tenders pair well with! They’re absolutely delicious with anything from honey mustard sauce, ranch, and chipotle ketchup to Chinese hot mustard, honey sriracha, or tiger sauce. Plus, they’re amazing with any type of BBQ sauce!  

If you’re looking for other dishes to serve chicken tenders with, I love serving them with, or over top of, a simple side salad or kale salad. They’re also fantastic as part of a party spread with other appetizers like bacon ranch chicken pinwheels, cheesy loaded tater tots, and chile relleno bites.

close up overhead shot of everything seasoning chicken tenders on sheet pan

Variations 

There’s no shortage of ways to shake things up with this easy recipe!

  • Protein – Instead of chicken breasts or tenderloin pieces, you can use other proteins such as turkey breast, pork loin, or even firm tofu for a vegetarian option.
  • Seasonings – You can experiment with different seasonings to customize the flavor of the chicken tenders. Some options include Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, taco seasoning, curry powder, or ranch seasoning mix. Or, make your own creative seasoning blend!
  • Mayonnaise – Swap out the mayonnaise for Greek yogurt or sour cream.
  • Flour – For a gluten-free option, you can use almond flour, coconut flour, or a gluten-free flour blend in place of traditional wheat flour.
  • Spices – You can add other spices such as cumin, chili powder, paprika, or turmeric to the seasoning mix for extra flavor.
  • Salt – Instead of coarse kosher salt, you can use sea salt, Himalayan pink salt, or flavored salts such as garlic salt or lemon pepper salt.
  • Breadcrumbs – Substitute alternative coatings such as crushed cornflakes, crushed crackers, or crushed nuts for some or all of the panko.
  • Cooking Method – Instead of baking, you can air fry the chicken tenders or cook them in a skillet.

Storage and Freezing

Once the chicken has cooled to room temperature, you can refrigerate or freeze them — that is, if you actually have leftovers of these tasty tenders!

Want chicken tenders all week to snack on alone or to toss on a salad? No problem! They store well so they’re perfect for meal prep.

How to Store Everything Seasoning Chicken Tenders

Store chicken tenders in a resealable storage bag and place in the refrigerator for three to four days.

Can I Freeze Everything Seasoning Chicken Tenders?

Wrap chicken tenders tightly in plastic wrap, place them in a resealable freezer bag, and freeze them for up to 3 months. 

Common Questions about Everything Seasoning Chicken Tenders

Do chicken thighs taste the same as chicken breasts?

They do not taste the same. Chicken thighs have a bit more fat and therefore often have a more rich flavor than chicken breasts.

Is chicken thigh a good alternative to chicken breast?

Chicken thighs can be a good alternative to chicken breasts. While the flavor differs slightly, chicken thighs are a close substitute and they can sometimes be more affordable.

Do chicken breasts and thighs cook the same time?

While dark meat may cook a bit more slowly than white meat, there’s more to consider than the type of meat. You’ll want to consider if there are bones in the cut and the size, as well.

overhead shot of plate of everything seasoning chicen tenders with honey mustard

More Flavorful Chicken Dishes

Chicken dinners don’t have to be boring! Here are a few of our favorites that we know you’ll love too.

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Baked Caesar Chicken Recipe

This moist Baked Caesar Chicken gets its tenderness from a garlicky Caesar marinade but it's also a crust of parmesan-laced bread crumbs!
See The Recipe!
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Crock Pot White Chicken Chili Recipe

Zesty White Chicken Chili is made with hearty beans, tender chicken thighs, and a creamy broth, all in the slow cooker. A great alternative to tomato and beef chili.
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Szechuan Chicken Recipe

Quick and EASY Szechuan Chicken & Rice is an easy dinner recipe using unique Chinese spices, like sichuan peppercorns and a vegetable stir fry.
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overhead shot of everything seasoning chicken tender sipping in honey mustard with text overlay
overhead shot of tray of everything seasoning chicken tenders with honey mustard

Everything Seasoning Chicken Tenders

5 from 5 votes
With a crunchy coating, these Everything Seasoning Chicken Tenders channel all of that flavor that we are all in love with on bagels!
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 450°F and line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
  • Cut each piece of chicken into chicken strips about 2/3 of an inch thick. Try to make pieces uniform size so they cook evenly.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs, mayonnaise, flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and paprika until it makes a creamy paste.
  • In a separate shallow dish or dredging pan, combine the panko and everything seasoning.
  • Dredge each piece of chicken in the mayonnaise mixture and then the panko breadcrumbs, pressing the crumbs into the chicken and tapping off the excess. Place the chicken onto the prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining chicken strips.
  • Bake for 7 minutes. Remove and flip each piece of chicken. Return to the oven for another 7 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
  • Remove and allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving with your favorite dipping sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 430 kcal, Carbohydrates: 18 g, Protein: 54 g, Fat: 14 g, Saturated Fat: 3 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4 g, Trans Fat: 0.05 g, Cholesterol: 230 mg, Sodium: 1453 mg, Potassium: 931 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 1 g, Vitamin A: 315 IU, Vitamin C: 3 mg, Calcium: 63 mg, Iron: 2 mg
Author: Jessica Formicola
Calories: 430
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: everything seasoning chicken tenders
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
collage of everything seasoning chicken tenders
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

5 from 5 votes

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Recipe Rating




Questions and Reviews

  1. 5 stars
    Quick, easy and flavorful. Looks soft, moist and juicy too. My kids would love this dish. Definitely going to be my weekend special.

  2. 5 stars
    The seasoning added a delicious mix of flavors and gave the tenders a nice crunch. It was easy to make and a great way to switch up traditional chicken tenders.

  3. 5 stars
    Sounds delicious – I’ll have to look in wholefoods to see if we can get everything bagel seasoning here!

  4. 5 stars
    These flavors are fantastic! Never thought of having them on chicken tenders, but now I want it all the time!