Garcia's Simple Chicken Tenders
Crispy baked chicken tenders coated in a garlic-herb crust, perfect for weeknight dinners and picky eaters. This kid friendly-inspired kid friendly ready in about 35 minutes pairs chicken tenders, all-purpose flour, garlic powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 12 oz chicken tenders
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place chicken tenders in a shallow dish, then sprinkle with 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper — toss until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Arrange coated tenders on the prepared baking sheet, brush with 1 tbsp olive oil, and bake for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through with no pink inside.
- Step 3: Transfer to a plate, sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately while crispy.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Garcia's Simple Chicken Tenders take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Garcia's Simple Chicken Tenders?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep chicken tenders from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Garcia's Simple Chicken Tenders?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Garcia's Simple Chicken Tenders for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Garcia's Simple Chicken Tenders?
Kid Friendly kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★☆☆
It was fine. Came out a bit bland for my taste.
