Easy Tex Mex Chicken Tenders Recipe

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Looking for a chicken recipe the whole family will love? These
Tex-Mex Chicken Tenders are packed with flavor and couldn’t be easier to make. Whether you’re using the oven for a hands-off approach or the stovetop for a quick meal, this recipe is a family-friendly favorite that’s ready in no time.

This recipe is a modern take on one of my grandma’s family-favorite Sunday dinners. She used to cook up big pans of easy fried chicken, cut into strips or bite-sized pieces, that we all loved. Don’t worry, this recipe skips the deep frying! These Tex-Mex Chicken Tenders are just as delicious and satisfying, and you can make them in the oven for a healthier, easy spin on a family classic.

Tex Mex Chicken Tenders

Chicken is one of the staples we enjoy several times a week in our home. What about you? I love cooking chicken enchiladas with green sauce, which is Sammie’s favorite. You can find more recipes with chicken below.

• Another family favorite is our easy, smothered tacos recipe.

Let’s get into this easy Tex-Mex Chicken Tenders recipe and learn how to make chicken tenders. First, get good-quality chicken breasts. Make sure it’s skinless and boneless, organic chicken. It is readily available.

Ingredients

• 1 package 1-1/2lb.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 kick it add 1/2 tsp of dried red pepper flakes
• 1-2 eggs
• 1/8 cup of milk or buttermilk

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 kick it, 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.

How to Cook Your Tex-Mex Chicken Tenders

Wow, updating this post, I can see how my photography has improved. Not to mention, I upgraded my camera for photo shoots. Plus, we added helpful information and other recipes, and resources for cooking chicken. 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 it in the whisked eggs, and next dip it into the flour mixture to coat the chicken.
2. Add it to your already heated pan of vegetable oil

   

3. Turn and rotate pieces occasionally, until done.
4. These cook really fast in about five to ten minutes, depending on the thickness of the strips.
   Use these guidelines for  USDA food-safe cooking temps
5. Temp the chicken with a meat thermometer.

   

   When the chicken reaches about 162°F internal temperature, pull the chicken. It will finish with carryover cooking to 165°F as it rests for 5 minutes, then your chicken is done.
6. Place cooked pieces onto a paper towel and pat off excess oil. 
7. Serve with a side salad or your favorite vegetables… 

How To Bake Chicken Tenders

Follow the instructions above for preparing the chicken and the spices, but instead of frying in a skillet or pan, follow these instructions:

1. Use a baking rack like this and place the chicken tenders on it. Or if you don’t have one, add the prepared chicken to a sheet pan that has been covered with aluminum foil. (This makes clean up easy!) Alternatively, you can place the chicken on a baking rack and then onto a sheet pan.
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°F for about 15-20 minutes (depending on thickness).
4. Turn the chicken over halfway through the cooking time. When the chicken reaches about 162°F internal temperature, add it to a plate or rack to finish carryover cooking (for about 5 minutes). Then let the chicken cool slightly before serving.

The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. This is my favorite meat thermometer.

Side Dishes for Tex-Mex Chicken Tenders

• Serve with a side of Avocado Sauce (this recipe has multiple uses!), Ranch Dressing, Honey Mustard, or Ketchup for dipping.
• For side dishes, we love having a salad (find our salad recipes here) and French fries along with ours.
• Macaroni and cheese!

Print the Recipe

Continue to Content

Yield: Serves 4

Easy Tex Mex Chicken Tenders Recipe

Print

These easy Tex-Mex chicken tenders are a family-friendly favorite, with a perfect blend of savory spices. Make them in the oven or on the stovetop for a quick dinner.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes

Additional Time 15 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 pounds of 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

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 kick it, 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,

Cooking Instructions

Follow the instructions above for preparing the chicken and the spices. Then follow the instructions for how to fry the chicken tenders or how to bake the chicken tenders.

How To Fry Chicken Tenders

1. Take the cut chicken, dip it in the whisked eggs, and next dip it into the flour mixture to coat the chicken.
2. Add it to your already heated pan of vegetable oil.
3. Turn and rotate pieces occasionally, until done.
4. These cook really fast in about five to ten minutes, depending on the thickness of the strips. Use these guidelines for USDA food cooking temps.
5. When the chicken reaches about 162°F internal temperature, pull the chicken. It will finish with carryover cooking to 165°F as it rests for 5 minutes, then your chicken is done.
6. Place cooked pieces onto a paper towel and pat off excess oil. 
7. Serve with a side salad or your favorite vegetables… 

How To Bake Chicken Tenders

Follow the instructions above for preparing the chicken and the spices, but instead of frying in a skillet or pan, follow these instructions for baking chicken tenders:

1. Use a  baking rack like this and place the chicken tenders on it. Or if you don’t have one, add the prepared chicken to a  that has been covered with aluminum foil. (This makes clean up easy!) Alternately you can place the chicken on an (oven-safe) baking rack and then directly onto a sheet pan.
2. Drizzle a little olive oil or non-stick spray with so the will not stick to the foil/pan.
3. Bake at 425°F for about 15-20 minutes (depending on thickness).
4. Turn the chicken over halfway through the cooking time. When the chicken reaches about 162°F internal temperature, add it to a plate or rack to finish carryover cooking (for about 5 minutes). Then let the chicken cool slightly before serving.
5. Place cooked pieces onto a paper towel and pat off excess oil. 

The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

Notes

Double recipe if making serving for 6

• Use tongs for turning the chicken.
• Amounts vary based on how many of the chicken tenders your making and size of the chicken breasts. You will need roughly, 4-6 ounces of chicken per person.
• 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. Increase the amounts for more servings. Or if you have big eaters, teens in the family.
• Adjust to your family's taste or needs: Reduce the paprika, cumin, and black pepper, if you have small kids.
• You can even substitute the black pepper with white pepper. 
• If using large thick chicken breasts 1-chicken breast equals about 1 serving for an adult or teen (2-servings 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.

• 
  McCormick Culinary Southwest Seasoning, 18 oz - One 18 Ounce Container of Southwest Spice Blend with Authentic Smoky Heat, Perfect for Tex-Mex Recipes for Bold Flavor
• 
  GoodCook 15” x 10.5” Nonstick Carbon Steel Baking Pan & Raised Wire Rack – Pizza Crisper, Crispy Bacon, Multipurpose Cooking Sheet Pan, Cooling Rack, Kitchen Cookware Set, Dishwasher Safe
• 
  Cooking Tongs

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 625Total Fat 35gSaturated Fat 10gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 21gCholesterol 313mgSodium 537mgCarbohydrates 12gFiber 1gSugar 4gProtein 63g

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 notch.

Are you looking for More Chicken Dinner Ideas?

More Chicken Recipes You’ll Love

1. Chicken Fajitas you can enjoy this recipe any night of the week in your meal plans, as it’s a 30-minute meal. 
2. Easy Smothered Chicken Tacos an easy chicken recipe that is Mexican inspired. The chicken is spiced and cooked in a skillet, making a great chicken tacos stove-top recipe. 
3. Easy Restaurant Style Nachos A restaurant-style nachos with chicken. This is so easy for an appetizer or dinner.
4. Parmesan Crusted Chicken Recipe is a great dish the kids will love. This is quickly prepped and baked in the oven. (A really old recipe that we will update but, easy and good)
5. Easy Crispy Baked Chicken: A family favorite dinner, 30-minute meal. 
6. Chicken: Visit our chicken recipe hub for all our yummy favorites!

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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.

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? 

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