Sweet & Tangy Hidden Veggie Chicken Tenders
Crispy baked chicken tenders with grated zucchini and carrots hidden in the coating, served with a honey-ketchup dip that kids adore. This American-inspired kid-friendly recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs boneless chicken breasts, whole wheat breadcrumbs, zucchini for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 1 lb boneless chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs
- 1/2 medium zucchini
- 1/4 cup grated carrot
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1 tbsp honey
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cut 1 lb chicken breasts into 1-inch strips.
- Step 2: Grate 1/2 medium peeled zucchini until it reaches 1/4 cup, then mix with 1/2 cup whole wheat breadcrumbs, 1/4 cup grated carrot, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, and 1/2 tsp paprika in a medium bowl.
- Step 3: Beat 1 egg in a shallow dish. Dip each chicken strip into the egg, then coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Step 4: Place coated strips on the prepared baking sheet, drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil, and toss to coat evenly.
- Step 5: Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
- Step 6: While chicken bakes, whisk 1/2 cup ketchup with 1 tbsp honey for the dipping sauce. Serve tenders warm with the sauce.








