• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • ALL RECIPES
  • Dinner
  • Dessert
  • Pumpkin Recipes
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
Self Proclaimed Foodie
menu icon
go to homepage
  • RECIPES
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT ME
  • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • RECIPES
    • ABOUT
    • CONTACT ME
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Chicken

    Oven Fried Chicken Tenders

    Published: July 5, 2020 · Updated: July 5, 2020 · By: Krissy · 5 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Oven Fried Chicken Tenders coated with a crispy Cheerio parmesan crust and served with honey mustard dipping sauce is a quick and easy dinner recipe.

    crispy baked chicken pieces with dipping sauce

    Why this recipe works:

    This is a super easy chicken dinner recipe that everyone in your family will love! What kid doesn't like chicken tenders, right? 

    • The chicken pieces are extra tender because of the buttermilk brine
    • Cheerios, parmesan, and herbs make a crusty and flavorful coating
    • These chicken tenders are baked in the oven and not deep fried in oil
    • The honey mustard dipping sauce adds a ton of flavor

    Here's how to make them:

    1. Chicken tenders are soaked in buttermilk. This can be done in as little as 15 minutes, but the longer they soak, the more time the buttermilk has to break down the protein structures in the chicken, thus creating a more soft and tender piece of chicken. chicken tenders soaking in pan of buttermilk
    2. Next you will make the crumb coating. Cheerios are perfect for coating chicken tenders because they crush nicely into a great crumb and they have just a bit of sweet which pairs beautifully with the honey mustard. To make the coating, just process the Cheerios with grated parmesan and fresh thyme. Sprinkle in a little smoked paprika and garlic powder and a delicious coating for your chicken is created. food processor before and after with cheerios and parmesan
    3. The chicken pieces are removed from the buttermilk and covered in the Cheerio parmesan coating. A thin layer of olive oil is added to the bottom of a baking sheet and the coated chicken is placed in a single layer on the baking sheet and baked for about 15 minutes. chicken tenders with crispy coating ready to be baked

    Cooking tips:

    • For the most tender and moist chicken, soak the chicken tenders in the buttermilk for a full 24 hours in the refrigerator. A quick soak works, but a longer brine will tenderize the chicken more.
    • Freshly grated parmesan always tastes best, but you can easily use pre-shredded parmesan in this recipe.
    • Fresh herbs are recommended but if fresh thyme isn't available, replace the tablespoon of fresh thyme with one teaspoon of dried thyme.

    Our entire family loved these and thought the honey mustard dipping sauce was perfect as well. 

    cheerio chicken tenders with honey mustard sauce

    What to serve with this recipe:

    I served this up with some corn on the cob and a green salad - both of which I made while the chicken was cooking. The entire dinner was prepped and cooked in 30 minutes!

    Other side dish recommendations:

    • Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
    • Wilted Garlic Spinach
    • Garlic Parmesan Oven Roasted Asparagus
    • Green Beans with Bacon
    crispy chicken tenders with sauce

    Oven Fried Chicken Tenders

    Oven Fried Chicken Tenders coated with Cheerios and parmesan and served up with some honey mustard dipping sauce make for a kid friendly 30 minute dinner.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Scale: 6 servings
    Recipe Created By: Krissy Allori

    Ingredients

    honey mustard sauce

    • ⅛ cup spicy brown mustard
    • ⅛ cup honey

    chicken tenders:

    • 2 pounds chicken tenders
    • ½ cup buttermilk
    • 2 cups Cheerios
    • 1 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
    • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil

    Instructions

    • To make honey mustard sauce, mix together mustard and honey. Do this ahead of time to allow flavors to develop.
    • Rinse chicken and add to shallow dish. Cover with buttermilk and allow to soak for at least 15 minutes while you make the coating. A longer buttermilk soak is preferred (at least 24 hours refrigerated is recommended), but you can get away with 15 minutes if needed.
    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
    • In food processor, blend together Cheerios, parmesan, and fresh thyme for 30 seconds to create a crumb topping. Add to gallon size plastic bag. Add paprika and garlic powder to the mixture; shake to blend well.
    • One at a time, pick up each piece of chicken and allow excess buttermilk to drip off. Add buttermilk coated chicken pieces to bag with crumbs. Seal bag and give it a good shake until all of the coated has covered the chicken pieces.
    • Spread olive oil over bottom of baking sheet. Lay chicken pieces in a single layer on top and cover with any additional crumb coating from bag.
    • Cook in preheated oven for 10-15 minutes until chicken is a golden brown. Serve with honey mustard dipping sauce.

    Notes

    Cooking tips:
    • For the most tender and moist chicken, soak the chicken tenders in the buttermilk for a full 24 hours in the refrigerator. A quick soak works, but a longer brine will tenderize the chicken more.
    • Freshly grated parmesan always tastes best, but you can easily use pre-shredded parmesan in this recipe.
    • Fresh herbs are recommended but if fresh thyme isn't available, replace the tablespoon of fresh thyme with one teaspoon of dried thyme.

    NUTRITION INFORMATION

    Calories: 325kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 564mg | Potassium: 674mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 659IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 264mg | Iron: 3mg
    SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTERSign up to have my recipes emailed to you. Free!

    This recipe was originally published in September 2019 and has been updated with helpful information, ingredient and process photos, as well as recipe tips. Don't worry - the recipe hasn't changed!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Beth Pierce

      April 24, 2020 at 4:09 pm

      5 stars
      So delicious and easy. Made them for dinner and my family loved them. I will be making these again.

      Reply
    2. Jennifer

      April 24, 2020 at 3:33 pm

      5 stars
      Using Cheerios was so tasty! I've always used Corn Flakes, but this was a totally different taste and crunch! YUM

      Reply
    3. Emily

      April 24, 2020 at 2:51 pm

      5 stars
      These chicken tenders are so amazing! Love that they use cheerios and also that you bake them!

      Reply
    4. Anita

      April 24, 2020 at 2:26 pm

      5 stars
      The chicken tenders are delicious.What an interesting use of Cheerios!

      Reply
    5. Renee

      April 24, 2020 at 2:05 pm

      5 stars
      I love Multi-Grain Cheerios right out of the box, and making them into a breading is brilliant! Love that extra layer of flavor!

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Krissy

    A close up of a woman

    I love to create the BEST versions of your favorite recipes. If you love to cook, love to eat, or just have a deep appreciation for good food, you're in the right place! Stick around... I have hundreds of recipes for you to make. more about me...

    SUBSCRIBE to my newsletter

    Valentine's Favorites

    • Absolutely Perfect Filet Mignon
    • Chocolate Covered Strawberries
    • Broiled Lobster Tail
    • Heart Beet Pancakes
    online publications that have featured self proclaimed foodie

    Most Popular Recipes

    • Salmon Patties (Salmon Cakes)
    • Granny's Monkey Bread Recipe
    • Perfect Prime Rib Roast
    • Cajun Shrimp Pasta
    • Country Sausage Gravy
    • Absolutely Perfect Filet Mignon
    • Best Homemade Alfredo Sauce {Easy 4 Ingredient Recipe + Video}
    • Granny's Classic Meatloaf Recipe

    Footer

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    Contact

    Privacy Policy

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Check Out Ten Acre Baker

    Meet Krissy

    Social

    Pinterest

    Facebook

    Instagram

    You Tube

    Sign Up for free emails

    Recipes

    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Breakfast
    • Drinks
    • Appetizers

    Self Proclaimed Foodie is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com

    COPYRIGHT © 2022 SELF PROCLAIMED FOODIE®