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    Home » Recipes » Appetizers & Snacks

    Baked BBQ Chicken Tenders

    Sep 18, 2021 · Modified: Feb 8, 2023 by Sandra Flegg

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    Close up image of Baked BBQ Chicken Tenders in blue bowl with parsley.

    You're going to love this easy recipe for Baked BBQ Chicken Tenders! Boneless, skinless chicken breast, breaded and baked, then smothered in delicious apple butter barbecue sauce.

    Close up image of baked bbq chicken tenders in blue bowl with parsley. this recipe!

    YOU'LL LOVE THIS RECIPE!

    • if you love chicken wings, then you'll love this boneless, skinless alternative and I promise you won't know the difference!!
    • simple ingredients and no fancy equipment
    • quick and easy to make. You can pair this with some veggies on the side for an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love!
    • goes well with so many sides like my Boursin Mashed Potatoes, Air Fryer Tater Tots, Air Fryer Twice Baked Potatoes or on their own as an appetizer.

    INGREDIENTS & SUBSTITUTIONS

    Ingredients for baked bbq chicken tenders with text overlay.

    A few notes about the ingredients. (see full recipe card at the bottom of the page for all ingredients)

    • boneless, skinless chicken breast
    • breadcrumbs - you can use plain or Italian seasoned breadcrumbs. Any type may be used including Panko.
    • bbq sauce - use your favourite brand.
    • apple butter - I love the combination of the apple butter mixed with the bbq sauce. You can also omit the apple butter and use only bbq sauce!
    • parmesan cheese - You can use freshly grated or the stuff you can buy in the shaker for this recipe.

    STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

    You can find a full printable recipe card at the bottom of this page.

    Preheat oven to 425°F.

    You can cook the chicken tenders directly on a baking sheet that is lightly greased with olive oil or use a cooking rack as shown in the photos before. Ensure that it is oven-proof!

    Breadcrumbs and parmesan cheese in white bowl with spoon.

    Prepare the coating

    In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Stir well to combine.

    Place all-purpose flour in a separate small bowl.

    In a large mixing bowl, combine apple butter and barbecue sauce.

    Apple butter and barbecue sauce in white bowl with spoon.

    Dip the chicken strips

    Working with one strip at a time, place chicken strip in flour and coat completely. You can use tongs or toss with clean hands.

    Next, dip the floured chicken into the egg wash followed by the parmesan and breadcrumb mixture, tossing to coat well.

    Baked bbq chicken tenders on wire rack without the sauce.

    Place on cooking rack or directly on baking sheet and cook in 425°F for 15 minutes, turning over once halfway through cooking time.

    Chicken tenders in silver bowl with apple barbecue sauce poured on top.

    Remove from oven and place in large bowl. Pour barbecue sauce mixture over top and toss gently to coat.

    Additional bbq sauce is brushed over chicken tenders on baking sheet.

    Place chicken tenders back onto the baking sheet and brush with remaining barbecue sauce.

    Completed dish of barbecued chicken tenders on baking sheet.

    Cook for an additional 7 to 10 minutes until sauce has thickened a little and chicken is completely cooked and no longer pink inside. Top with fresh parsley for garnish and enjoy!

    Cooked barbecue chicken tender in blue bowl with parchment paper and parsley garnish.

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    Print
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    Baked bbq chicken tenders in blue bowl with parsley.

    Baked BBQ Chicken Tenders


    ★★★★★

    5 from 2 reviews

    • Author: Sandra Flegg
    • Total Time: 35 minutes
    • Yield: 6 servings
    Print Recipe
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    Description

    You're going to love this easy recipe for Baked BBQ Chicken Tenders! Boneless, skinless chicken breast are breaded and baked, then smothered in delicious apple butter barbecue sauce.


    Ingredients

    4 (approximately 2 lbs.)boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into strips

    1 and ½ cups breadcrumbs

    ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

    1 cup all-purpose flour

    1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water

    1 cup barbecue sauce

    1 cup apple butter

    Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)


    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
    2. Place a baking rack in the bottom of a baking sheet or lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil. This will stop the chicken from sticking.
    3. In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese. Stir well to combine. 
    4. In a small bowl, whisk together apple butter and barbecue sauce.
    5. Place all-purpose flour in a small bowl. 
    6. Working with one strip at a time, place chicken strip in flour and coat completely. You can do this by hand or use a spoon to toss the flour onto the chicken.
    7. Next, dip the floured chicken into the egg wash followed by the parmesan breadcrumb mixture. 
    8. Place on baking sheet and cook for 15 minutes, turning over once halfway through.
    9. Transfer the chicken strips to a large bowl. Pour over the barbecue sauce mixture.
    10. Gently toss the chicken strips in the sauce until they are completely coated with sauce. 
    11. Transfer chicken back to baking sheet and brush with remaining sauce. 
    12. Cook for an additional 7 to 10 minutes. (sauce will thicken on the chicken).
    13. Remove from oven and check to ensure that chicken is completely cooked and no longer pink inside. 
    14. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!

    Notes

    1. Storage - store leftover chicken tenders in a covered container in refrigerator for up to two days.
    2. If you don't have apple butter, you can substitute it for additional barbecue sauce.
    • Prep Time: 10 minutes
    • Cook Time: 25 minutes
    • Category: Dinnner
    • Method: Oven baked
    • Cuisine: American

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 5 to 6 chicken tenders)
    • Calories: 581
    • Sugar: 36.9 g
    • Sodium: 770.8 mg
    • Fat: 8.6 g
    • Saturated Fat: 2.7 g
    • Trans Fat: 0 g
    • Carbohydrates: 78.3 g
    • Fiber: 3.4 g
    • Protein: 44.3 g
    • Cholesterol: 146.1 mg

    Keywords: chicken tenders, easy dinner recipe

    If you've made this recipe, please come back and leave us a star rating and comment below. Or, tag us on social media @shesnotcookin or #shesnotcookin for a chance to be featured!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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      Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    1. Amy

      April 07, 2022 at 4:43 pm

      Just made this with homemade apple butter. Mixed half regular bbq sauce with homemade apricot bbq sauce. The breading was perfect and the sauce had just the right amount of zing. Definitely a keeper.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Sandra

        April 07, 2022 at 6:00 pm

        You had some lovely homemade sauces to add to this recipe that sound delicious! I'm so happy to hear that you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for taking the time to comment 🙂 Sandra

        Reply
    2. Tim

      January 18, 2023 at 3:54 pm

      These are delicious and so easy to make. Love that they are baked!

      ★★★★★

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Sandra! Welcome to my kitchen. A self-taught cook, I love being in the kitchen. My inspiration is the people who I love the most - my family. Here you will find simple family recipes to enjoy year round.  More about me

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