Craft perfect BBQ chicken tenders in the oven using a simple recipe combining high-quality chicken, olive oil, vinegar, and a blend of spices, finished with your choice of BBQ sauce. Fresh herbs add an aromatic twist. This method offers a healthier alternative to deep-frying while retaining rich flavor in under 30 minutes. Marinating is optional but enhances taste; use either a moist marinade or a dry rub. For extra crunch, coat tenders in seasoned panko and buttermilk before baking.
Simple and Delicious BBQ Chicken Tenders Recipe
Indulge in a mouthwatering culinary adventure with our easy-to-follow guide to creating mouthwatering BBQ chicken tenders in the oven. This recipe is perfect for a quick, weeknight dinner or a casual get-together. With just a few simple ingredients, you can transform tender, juicy chicken into a crispy, flavorful delight. From marinating techniques to coating options and cooking tips, we’ll walk you through every step, ensuring delicious, homemade BBQ chicken tenders every time.
- Ingredients You'll Need
- – List of necessary ingredients with quantities
- Preparation Time and Cooking Instructions
- – Steps to prepare the chicken tenders and oven temperature details
- Marinating the Chicken (Optional)
- – Benefits and process of marinating, if applicable
- Coating the Tenders
Ingredients You'll Need
To create a mouthwatering BBQ chicken tenders recipe that’s both simple and tasty, gather these essential ingredients. Start with high-quality chicken tenders as the base, ensuring they’re fresh for the best flavor. For the marinades, you’ll need olive oil, which provides moisture and enhances the flavors to follow. A combination of vinegar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and brown sugar adds depth and a hint of sweetness. Don’t forget the BBQ sauce—a staple in any BBQ chicken tenders recipe, whether store-bought or homemade—for that classic smoky flavor.
For a balanced blend of spices, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for some heat and fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for an aromatic twist. This ingredient list is tailored to create a delicious BBQ chicken tenders in oven recipe, offering a healthier alternative to deep-fried versions while still delivering on taste.
– List of necessary ingredients with quantities
To create mouthwatering BBQ chicken tenders in the oven, gather the following ingredients for a simple yet delicious meal that’s sure to satisfy. Start with 1 pound (450g) of boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips, ensuring they’re about 1 inch thick. Marinate them with 2 tablespoons (30ml) of olive oil, 2 cloves of minced garlic, and a generous mix of salt and pepper to taste. For the BBQ sauce, whisk together 1/2 cup (120ml) of ketchup, 2 tablespoons (16g) of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons (30ml) of apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon (15ml) of Worcestershire sauce, a dash of liquid smoke, and a pinch of cayenne pepper for a smoky kick.
Once your oven is preheated to 400°F (200°C), place the chicken strips in a large bowl and pour over the BBQ sauce, ensuring each tender is well-coated. Spread them evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred at the edges, infused with the savory aroma of BBQ sauce.
Preparation Time and Cooking Instructions
Preparing this mouthwatering BBQ Chicken Tenders In Oven Recipe is a breeze, taking approximately 30 minutes from start to finish. First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Next, pat your chicken tenders dry with paper towels and place them in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil, season generously with salt and pepper, and toss until the meat is evenly coated.
Arrange the chicken tenders on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring they are not overlapping. Bake for 15 minutes, then flip each tender over and brush both sides with your favorite BBQ sauce. Return to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown.
– Steps to prepare the chicken tenders and oven temperature details
To create delicious BBQ chicken tenders in the oven, start by preparing your ingredients. Rinse and pat dry a pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts before cutting them into 1-inch strips. In a large bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon each of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken strips to this marinade, ensuring each piece is well coated. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours for deeper flavors.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup and place a wire rack on top. Remove the chicken from the marinade, discarding any excess, and arrange the strips evenly on the rack. Brush each tender lightly with melted butter or oil. Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Marinating the Chicken (Optional)
Marinating is an optional step, but it can truly elevate your BBQ chicken tenders. For a simple and delicious option, mix together olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and your favorite BBQ sauce in a shallow dish. Place the chicken tenders in the marinade, ensuring each piece is well-coated, and let them sit in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour. This step allows the flavors to penetrate the chicken, adding depth of taste that will surprise your diners.
Alternatively, you can opt for a drier rub, simply coating the tenders with a blend of salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder before cooking. Both methods will result in tender, juicy BBQ chicken tenders, but marinating offers an extra layer of flavor that’s hard to resist.
– Benefits and process of marinating, if applicable
Marinating is a simple yet powerful technique that enhances the flavor and tenderness of your BBQ chicken tenders. By submerging the meat in a mixture of oils, acids, spices, and herbs before cooking, you create a complex layer of taste that elevates the dish. In the case of BBQ chicken tenders, marination helps to break down some of the muscle fibers, making the chicken more tender and juicy when cooked. This process also allows the flavors to penetrate deeply into the meat, resulting in a richer, more satisfying taste experience.
For this particular BBQ chicken tenders in oven recipe, a simple marinade of olive oil, vinegar, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper is all you need. The acidity from the vinegar helps to tenderize the chicken, while the spices add a smoky, savory kick that’s characteristic of BBQ. Allow your chicken tenders to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to a few hours in the refrigerator, for best results. This simple step can transform an ordinary dish into something truly extraordinary, making your homemade BBQ chicken tenders a hit with the whole family.
Coating the Tenders
When it comes to coating your BBQ chicken tenders for an oven recipe, the key is to balance crunch with flavor. Start by whisking together panko breadcrumbs, a sprinkle of garlic powder, and paprika for a golden, crispy shell. This simple blend provides a delightful contrast to the tender, juicy chicken. For an extra layer of taste, incorporate dried herbs like thyme or oregano into the coating, enhancing the BBQ essence without overwhelming the natural chicken flavor.
Next, prepare a wet coat by mixing buttermilk and a touch of melted butter. Dip each tender into this mixture before applying the seasoned panko. The buttermilk not only helps bind the coating but also adds a subtle tanginess that complements the smoky BBQ flavors. Once coated, place your tenders on a lined baking sheet, ensuring they’re not crowded together to allow for even heat circulation and browning.