PF
A delicious plate of crispy chicken served with broccoli and starfruit, garnished with sauce.
Stovetop~45 minComplexity

Chicken Tenders Recipe

Each Chicken Tender provides 29g protein and 319 calories — a portion-controlled lunch that stacks cleanly with rice or vegetables. Quick-preps 12 servings on the stovetop, turning one cooking session into two weeks of lunch protein. Scales efficiently for high-volume meal prep without waste or repetitive cooking.

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Ingredients

12 servings
  • 1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt (Plus 1/2 Teaspoon, Divided)
  • Paprika, Smoked(10g)
  • Onion powder(5g)
  • Garlic powder(5g)
  • Honey(15g)
  • Buttermilk, Cultured, Low-Fat(240g)
  • Chicken Breast, Boneless Skinless(680g)

    Boneless skinless. Buy in bulk and freeze — Costco rotisserie packs work too.

  • Bread Crumbs, Panko, Dry(480g)

    Plain dry bread crumbs. Panko works too but is lighter per cup.

  • Olive oil(30g)

    Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

  • Egg Whites(908g)

    Carton egg whites (e.g., Great Value, Eggland's Best) — no separating needed.

  • Mustard, Dijon(15g)

    Dijon mustard — Grey Poupon or store brand. Spicier than yellow mustard.

  • Greek Yogurt (Nonfat)(120g)

    Plain Greek yogurt — nonfat (0%) or low-fat (2%). Not regular yogurt.

  • Mustard, Dijon(30g)

    Dijon mustard — Grey Poupon or store brand. Spicier than yellow mustard.

  • Honey(15g)
  • Pinch salt

Instructions

  1. 1Combine the smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, buttermilk, and honey in a large bowl and whisk until well combined. Add the chicken breast pieces, toss to coat thoroughly, and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  2. 2While the chicken marinates, combine the panko breadcrumbs with the remaining smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt in a shallow dish. Drizzle the olive oil over the top and toss until the breadcrumbs are evenly moistened.
  3. 3In a second shallow dish, whisk together the liquid egg whites and Dijon mustard until combined.
  4. 4Remove the chicken pieces from the marinade one at a time, shaking off excess liquid. Dip each piece into the egg white mixture to coat all sides, then press firmly into the panko mixture, coating completely on all sides. Arrange coated pieces on a foil-lined baking sheet, leaving space between each piece.
  5. 5Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 1–2 minutes. Working in batches to avoid crowding, cook the chicken tenders for 5–7 minutes per side over medium-high heat until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  6. 6While the chicken cooks, whisk together the nonfat Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, and honey in a small bowl to make the dip. Taste and adjust honey as needed.
  7. 7Divide the cooked chicken tenders evenly into 12 airtight containers while hot, allowing them to cool to room temperature before sealing. Store the honey mustard dip in a separate container.
  8. 8Refrigerate all containers for up to 4 days. Reheat chicken in a 350°F oven for 8–10 minutes until warmed through, or serve cold with the dip on the side.

Nutrition — Per Serving

319

calories

29g

protein

7g

fat

Carbohydrates
34g
Saturated fat
1.4g
Sodium
503 mg
Dietary fiber
2.2g

12 servings per batch · ~213g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does Chicken Tenders Recipe have per serving?

Each serving contains 29g of protein and 319 calories, with 7g fat and 34g carbs providing balanced macros for a standard meal. This moderate protein-per-calorie ratio makes it a flexible option that works across different macro targets.

How long does Chicken Tenders Recipe take to prep?

Quick prep time on the stovetop with 12 servings per batch means you can prepare two weeks' worth of lunches in a single cooking session. The 12-serving yield is the largest batch size in this set, maximizing meal prep efficiency and time savings.

Is Chicken Tenders Recipe good for muscle gain?

At 29g protein per serving, you'd need to stack this with higher-protein options to meet muscle gain daily targets of 180-200g protein. The 34g carbs per serving do support workout performance, but the protein content is better suited as a component within a larger meal.

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