Easy Tex Mex Chicken Tenders Recipe

This post contains links to affiliate websites, such as Amazon, and other affiliates. We receive an affiliate commission for any qualifying purchases made by you using these links. This is at no additional cost to you. We appreciate your support!

Sharing is caring!

Are you looking for easy chicken recipes the whole family can enjoy? We love chicken tenders, do you? If you answered yes then you will enjoy this version of Tex Mex Chicken Tenders! My grandma used to cook up big pans of fried chicken when I was growing up with sides of mashed potatoes and whatever seasonal vegetable was in season.

This was one of her typical Sunday dinners. We’d all load up into the car and off to grandma’s house we’d go. The drive less than ten minutes away to visit, we would have dinner together every Sunday. After we’d talk, visit and watch television in their tiny living room in the cottage house they lived in.

  • Today’s recipe is a spin on one of her easy fried chicken recipes that she would cut up into strips or bite-sized pieces. Don’t run when you hear fried chicken because you can bake this recipe!

Tex Mex Chicken Tenders

Breaded chicken cut open on a cutting board next to garlic that has been cooked grab recipes for Tex Mex chicken tenders and other chicken recipes at DearCreatives.com

Chicken is one of the staples we enjoy several times a week in our recipes. I love cooking chicken enchiladas with green sauce, which is Sammie’s favorite. Then there is the always delicious chicken broccoli noodle casserole I fixed up recently which might be a contender for her. I hope to share that with you all sometime.

Let’s get onto this easy Tex Mex Chicken Tenders recipe and how to make chicken tenders. 

Chicken Tenders

Tex Mex Chicken Tenders is a spin on my grandmas easy fried chicken recipe. This is a fried recipe but, you can bake this chicken recipe and get similar results. Start with a few great chicken breasts. Make sure it’s skinless and boneless, organic chicken that you pick up to use. It is readily available.

How to Make Chicken Tenders

Prepare the chicken for cooking or baking

  • Take the boneless, skinless chicken out of the refrigerator. (Defrost your chicken in the refrigerator in advance if frozen)
  • Next, take your chicken out of the package drain it off (if you rinse your chicken be sure to pat dry but, new food safety standards say DO NOT rinse your chicken before using!)
  • Cut chicken into tenders, strips or nuggets and set it to the side (refrigerate if not making immediately)
  • Take a dish similar to a pie dish, baking dish, or larger bowl and add flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, and a little cayenne if you like things a bit spicy. 
  • Whisk the flour and spices 
  • If you really want to give it a kick add 1/2 tsp of dried red pepper flakes 
  • Make an egg wash of egg and milk or buttermilk then whisk it in a separate bowl

Tex Mex Chicken Strips

Cooked Chicken Tenders with a piece of one on a fork_

It was about time we updated the photos on this post, originally was taken at NIGHT (my bad! and not with this camera). Plus, we added helpful cooking tips, how I get dinner on the table when I travel, and other recipes and resources for cooking chicken. Girl, it’s been a long time since I posted this image! But, I didn’t want to remove it so you could see the original image I took. Wayyyy back! 

How To Fry Chicken Tenders

  1. Take the cut chicken, dip in the whisked eggs and next dip it into the flour mixture.
  2. Add it into your already heated pan of vegetable oil.
  3. Turn and rotate pieces occasionally, until done.
  4. These cook really fast about in five to ten minutes depending on the thickness of the strips. *use these guidelines for  USDA food-safe cooking temps
  5. Temp with a meat thermometer when you get 165F internal temperature your chicken is done.
  6. Place cooked pieces onto a paper towel, let cool slightly and pat off excess oil. 
  7. Serve with a side salad or your favorite vegetables… 

How To Bake Chicken Tenders

  1. Follow the instructions above for preparing the chicken and the spices

Instead of frying in a skillet or pan follow these instructions 

  1. If you don’t have a baking rack, place the chicken tenders on the bottom of a sheet pan that has been covered with aluminum foil. (this makes clean up easy!)
  2. Drizzle a little olive oil or spray with non-stick cooking spray so the coated chicken will not stick to the foil/pan.
  3. Bake at 425 degrees for about 15-20 minutes (depending on thickness) or when the chicken reaches 165F internal temp.
  4. Turn halfway through the cooking time.
  5. Make sure the chicken is cooled slightly before serving. 

Alternately you can place the chicken on a baking rack and then onto a sheet pan.

  1. Bake at 425 degrees for about 15-20 minutes (depending on thickness) or when the chicken reaches 165F internal temp.
  2. Turn halfway through the cooking time.

What to serve with this chicken dinner?

  • Serve with a side of Avocado Sauce (this recipe has multiple uses!), Ranch Dressing or Ketchup for dipping.
  • For side dishes love having a salad and fries along with ours.

Yield: Serves 3

Easy Tex Mex Chicken Tenders Recipe

Easy Tex Mex Chicken Tenders Recipe

Tex Mex Chicken Tenders - Easy Chicken Dinner Idea that is quick to prep and cook. The recipe uses boneless, skinless chicken Or you can use chicken tenders from the store.

Make this for dinner and add your favorite vegetables. Additionally, you can make batches ahead of time and freeze to defrost, then heat for serving. This recipe is easily doubled or tripled.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Additional Time 15 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • organic chicken breasts (skinless, boneless) Or chicken tenders (skinless boneless)
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  • salt (to taste)
  • 1/4 black pepper
  • 1 tsp. paprika
  • 1/4 tsp. cumin
  • optional spices: a little cayenne if you like things a bit spicy
  • If you really want to give it a kick add 1/2 tsp of dried red pepper flakes
  • 1-2 eggs
  • 1/8 cup of milk or buttermilk

Instructions

Preparation Instructions

  1. Take the boneless, skinless chicken out of the refrigerator. (Defrost your chicken in the refrigerator in advance if frozen)
  2. Next, take your chicken out of the package drain it off (if you rinse your chicken be sure to pat dry but, new food safety standards say DO NOT rinse your chicken before using!)
  3. Cut chicken into tenders, strips or nuggets and set it to the side (refrigerate if not making immediately)
  4. Take a dish similar to a pie dish, baking dish, or larger bowl and add flour, garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, and a little cayenne if you like things a bit spicy. 
  5. Whisk the flour and spices 
  6. If you really want to give it a kick add 1/2 tsp of dried red pepper flakes 
  7. Make an egg wash of egg and milk or buttermilk then whisk it in a separate bowl

Cooking Instructions

  1. Lift with a fork and take the cut chicken, dip in the whisked egg wash
  2. Next, dip the egg coated chicken into the flour mixture.
  3. Add the coated chicken into your already heated pan of vegetable oil.
  4. Turn and rotate pieces occasionally, until done. (about 4-5 minutes for each side)
  5. These cook really fast about in five to ten minutes depending on the thickness of the strips.
    *use these guidelines for  USDA food-safe cooking temps (chicken is cooked at 165F internal temperature) (Note you can finish cooking them to temp in a pre-heated oven if making larger batches or thicker cuts but, do not allow them to dry out! Cover with foil)
  6. Check the temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer when you get 165F internal temperature your chicken is done.
  7. Place cooked pieces onto a paper towel, let cool slightly and pat off any excess oil. 
  8. Serve with a side salad and fries or your favorite vegetables... 

How To Bake Chicken Tenders

  1. Follow the instructions above for preparing the chicken and the spices
  2. Instead of frying in a skillet or pan follow these instructions 
  3. If you don't have a baking rack, place the chicken tenders on the bottom of a sheet pan that has been covered with aluminum foil. (this makes clean up easy!)
  4. Drizzle a little olive oil or spray with non-stick cooking spray so the coated chicken will not stick to the foil/pan.
  5. Bake at 425 degrees for about 15-20 minutes (depending on thickness) or when the chicken reaches 165F internal temp.
  6. Turn halfway through the cooking time.
  7. Make sure the chicken is cooled slightly before serving. 

Alternately you can place the chicken on a baking rack and then directly onto a sheet pan.

Bake at 425 degrees for about 15-20 minutes (depending on thickness) or when the chicken reaches 165F internal temp.

Turn halfway through the cooking time.  

What to serve with this chicken dinner?

Serve with a side of Avocado Sauce (this recipe has multiple uses!), Ranch Dressing or Ketchup for dipping.

For side dishes love having a salad and fries along with ours.

Notes

    Double recipe if making serving for 6

  • Use tongs for turning
  • Amounts vary based on how many of the chicken tenders your making and size of the chicken breasts. 
  • If you make 3 breasts cut up Start with 1 egg, 1/8 cup milk for the dipping mixture. Then in a separate dish mix; 1/4 flour, 1 tsp. paprika and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.1/4 tsp. pepper and dash of cumin. Sprinkle salt. 
  • Adjust to your family's taste or needs reducing paprika/cumin if you have small kids
  • You can even substitute the black pepper with white pepper. 
  • 6. If using large thick chicken breasts 1-chicken breast =1 serving for an adult or teen (2 for small kids)
  • See the related video to make another version of the Tex Mex Chicken

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information

Yield

3

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 231Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 6gCholesterol 160mgSodium 522mgCarbohydrates 16gFiber 1gSugar 4gProtein 18g

Not all nutritional calculations are 100% accurate.

No matter what you call this dish chicken tenders, chicken strips or chicken fingers. They are flavorful, tender and so tasty with the additional spices to kick up the flavor a k-notch. If this isn’t the recipe for you. You might like these chicken dinner ideas. 

Crispy Chicken

Don’t have time to shop? Or are you traveling for work and the family is staying at home? You might remember this post where I shared our Sun Basket Meal, the chicken dinner we made. Or this post for how to plan dinners for when you are traveling. Their food is organic, it’s easy to follow and make. I love buying it for Sammie and her dad to cook when I go out of town. Better than buying fast food!

Want to give Sun Basket a try? Go and Get ($35 Off) Healthy, Organic, Easy to follow food and recipes for cooking straight to your door! 

Related Easy Chicken Recipes 

  1.   
  2.    
  3.   
  4.   
  5. Easy Crispy Baked Chicken A family favorite dinner, 30-minute meal. 
  6. Tex Mex Chicken Strips (made with corn flakes)

Tex Mex Chicken Tenders - Easy Chicken Dinner Idea that is quick to prep and cook. The recipe uses boneless, skinless chicken. Quick, easy 30 minute dinner. DearCreatives.com

  1. New here? Don’t forget to Subscribe
  2. Pin it for Later
  3. Follow us on Pinterest
  4. Easy Chicken Recipes Pinterest
  5. Easy Chicken Recipes 
  6. Recipe Index


Harvestland Logo

HarvestLand Chicken _ HarvestLand Chicken Breasts in the box package and cut up for cooking_

The recipe was brought to you by HarvestLand Chicken I did receive free product coupons for review purposes thanks to HarvestLand and Mom’sMeet. These are my 100% honest opinions. I have to say we loved this product and are so happy our local Walmart store is carrying it. There is a store locator on HarvestLand’s site. Just check out the features and benefits below about the chicken.

Each variety of product has it’s own calorie content right on their site. I can’t wait to try their chicken burgers from the frozen section. Grilling season can’t come quick enough! They also have other products such as turkey and pork plus recipes you may enjoy. 

HarvestLand’s Product details 

  • No Antibiotics Ever
  • Fed All Vegetarian Diet
  • No Animal By-Products
  • Raised Cage-Free
  • No Hormones or Steroids Added
  • Freezer ready pouches 
  • Individually wrapped boneless chicken breasts
  • Easy-open convenience
  • Visit HarvestLand to find out more

What is your favorite chicken recipe you or your family enjoys? 

 

Sharing is caring!

Similar Posts

10 Comments

  1. oh man. these look SO GOOD. I could honestly eat chicken tenders in a different form every single day of the week–this looks delicious!!!!

Comments are closed.