Buffalo Chicken Tenders are everything you love about classic buffalo wings, in a less-messy, delicious chicken tenders form! Whether you bake them in the oven or air fryer buffalo chicken tenders, are a flavorful and affordable dish the whole family will love.
Post includes Weight Watchers points.
I have a secret to share with you. Boneless buffalo wings are really buffalo chicken tenders! That’s right, this restaurant and bar favorite is not a fancy cut of chicken. You can easily make super tasty buffalo chicken tenders at home in your oven or air fryer.
Because they are boneless, buffalo chicken tenders are much easier to eat, plus you don’t have leftover bones to deal with.
Table of Contents
Easy Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Like my Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders, this recipe for air fryer buffalo chicken tenders and buffalo baked chicken tenders doesn’t require loads of oil, making it a healthier choice that’s perfect for family dinners, easy lunches, or as a game day appetizer.
Along with my Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip And Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, if you are looking for a way to spice up your weekly meal plan, these buffalo chicken tenders are just the ticket!
Why Make This Recipe
- Healthier – Use no oil for baked tenders, and the buffalo chicken tenders air fryer version only requires a light spritz of oil.
- Flavorful – These chicken tenders are an explosion of flavor, from the seasoned flour to the generous coating of buffalo sauce.
- Easy and Fast – buffalo baked chicken tenders are ready in about 20 minutes, and air fryer buffalo chicken tenders are ready in about 10 minutes.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken – Cut boneless, skinless chicken breast into tenders using our handy guide below.
- Seasoned Flour – Combine regular flour with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika or your favorite seasoning blend.
- Panko – Panko bread crumbs will give this buffalo chicken tenders recipe so much crunch.
- Eggs – Dipping the chicken into beaten eggs will help the breadcrumb mixture to stick to the chicken.
- Hot Sauce – Look for buffalo sauce or wing sauce in the condiment section of your grocery store.
What Are Chicken Tenders?
Chicken Tenders are a tasty cut of chicken breast meat known by many names, including chicken strips, tenders, tenderloins, tendies, chicken fillets, chicken fingers, and goujons.
Head on over to the what are chicken tenderloins post to to find out what the are, how to cut them yourself, and budget friendly tips and tricks.
How To Cut Chicken Tenders
- It’s so easy to cut whole chicken breasts into strips.
- Purchase boneless, skinless chicken breast and trim off any excess fat.
- Use a sharp knife and slice the meat against the grain into strips of equal length and thickness.
How To Make Buffalo Baked Chicken Tenders
Get full ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
- Preheat the oven to 400F / 200C and line a sheet pan with parchment.
- Cut chicken breast against the grain into tenders and set aside.
- Place flour and bread crumbs into a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs.
- Dip the chicken tenders into the egg and then into the flour mix. Repeat the process, dipping again into the egg and once again into the flour mix.
- Place the tenders on a sheet pan and cook for 15-20 minutes or until fully cooked. Remove from oven and while warm, coat with the hot sauce.
- Serve with extra buffalo sauce, celery and blue cheese crumbles.
Note: Always check for doneness with a meat thermometer. Chicken is considered fully cooked and safe to eat when it reaches an internal temperature of 165F / 74C.
How To Make Air Fryer Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Get full ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.
- Preheat the air fryer to 350F / 180C. Cut chicken breast against the grain into tenders and set aside.
- Place flour and bread crumbs into a bowl, and in a separate bowl, beat the eggs.
- Dip the chicken tenders into the egg mixture and then into the flour mix. Repeat the process, dipping again into the egg and once again into the flour mix.
- Transfer to a clean bowl and toss gently with the hot sauce until well coated.
- Lightly spray the basket of the air fryer then add the chicken tenders. Give the tenders a light spritz of oil before cooking for 7-9 minutes or until fully cooked. Flip the tenders halfway through cooking.
- Serve with celery sticks, extra buffalo sauce and blue cheese crumbles.
Tips For Success
- Slice the chicken into tenders that are the same size for even cooking.
- Coat the chicken in the egg and bread crumb mixture twice for a thick, crispy coating.
- Don’t crowd the pan or the air fryer basket.
- Flip the chicken tenders over halfway through cooking time.
- When baking, place the chicken tenders on an oven-safe rack for the crispiest coating.
- Wait to coat with the buffalo sauce just before serving, so the tenders don’t become soggy.
- Always check chicken for doneness with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should be at least 165F / 74C.
- Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model. Start with less cooking time, check for doneness, then add more time as needed.
Variations
- Chicken Bites – Instead of cutting chicken tenders, cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, then follow the recipe as directed.
- Add Blue Cheese – Sprinkle the finished tenders with crumbled blue cheese or dip into blue cheese dressing.
- Make Low Carb – Swap the flour for almond flour and use crushed pork rinds instead of panko for a low carb and gluten-free variation.
Budget-Friendly Tips
- Buy Chicken In Bulk – Purchase chicken in bulk or on sale and freeze it for later. Save time by cutting into tenders before freezing.
- Cook Extra – Make a double batch for meals throughout the week or freeze for later use.
Prep Ahead And Storage
- Prep Ahead – Cut chicken breast into tenders before freezing and thaw overnight in the fridge before proceeding with the recipe.
- Store – Leftover chicken tenders can be stored in an airtight container inside the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freeze – Follow these steps to freeze your buffalo chicken tenders:
- Lay the breaded chicken tenders in a single layer on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer.
- Once thoroughly frozen, transfer into a freezer-safe zip bag and keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.
- To bake or air fry from frozen, add a few minutes to the cooking time and use a digital meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Meal Prep
- Leftover chicken tenderloins make easy lunches and snacks throughout the week.
- Make a double batch and freeze the extras before baking for easy meal prep later on.
- This recipe will last for 4 days, which means you can enjoy buffalo chicken tenders for dinner and then for 4 more days.
FAQs
Yes! Freeze the chicken tenders after breading and before baking. Place in a single layer on a cookie sheet to freeze. Once frozen transfer into a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container and keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.
You can bake or air fry directly from frozen, adding a few minutes to the cooking time and using a thermometer to check for doneness.
Tough chicken tenders are usually due to overcooking. Always use a meat thermometer for safety and to prevent the chicken from becoming rubbery.
This chicken tender recipe is baked without oil or air fried with minimal oil, so it’s a much healthier selection than deep-fried chicken strips. White meat chicken breast tenderloins are low in fat and contain high-quality protein.
Other Chicken Tenders Recipes
- Grilled Chicken Tenders.
- Stovetop Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders.
- Instant Pot Chicken Tenders.
- Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Tenders.
More Buffalo Chicken Recipes You May Like
- Buffalo Chicken Salad. Quick to put together.
- Grilled Buffalo Chicken. Good for meal prep for the week.
- Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese. Great comfort food.
- Buffalo Chicken Fries. Top with more of your favorites.
- Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip. Serve with all the chips and veggies.
- Crockpot Buffalo Chicken Dip. We love this for game day.
- Buffalo Chicken Meatballs. So, so good.
Serving Suggestions
Weight Watchers Points
There are 4 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
Get The Buffalo Chicken Tenders Recipe:
Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
Instructions
Oven Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400F / 200C.
- Cut chicken breast against the grain to make strips and set aside.
- Place flour and bread crumbs into a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs.
- Dip both sides of each chicken strip into the egg mixture, then into the flour mix.
- Place the coated tenders in a single layer on a lined sheet pan and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature of chicken reaches 165F / 74C.
- Remove from oven and while warm, coat the tenders gently with hot sauce.
- Serve with extra hot sauce, celery, and blue cheese crumbles.
Air Fryer Instructions:
- Preheat the air fryer to 350F / 180C.
- Cut chicken breast against the grain to make into tenders and set aside.
- Place flour and bread crumbs into a bowl and in a separate bowl, beat the eggs.
- Dip the chicken tenders into the egg and then into the flour mix. Repeat the process, dipping again into the egg and once again into the flour mix.
- Transfer to a clean bowl and gently toss with hot sauce until coated.
- Lightly spray the basket of the air fryer with oil, add the chicken tenders in a single layer, then lightly spritz the tops.
- Cook for 7-9 minutes, flipping the tenders over halfway through cooking time.
- Serve buffalo chicken tenders with extra hot sauce, celery sticks, and blue cheese crumbles.
Video
Notes
- Slice the chicken breast into tenders as close to the same size as possible for even cooking.
- Coat the chicken in the egg and bread crumb mixture twice for a thick, crispy coating.
- Don’t crowd the pan or the air fryer basket.
- Flip the chicken tenders over halfway through cooking time.
- When baking, place the chicken tenders on top of an oven-safe rack for the crispiest coating.
- Coat with the buffalo sauce just before serving, so the tenders don’t become soggy.
- Always check your chicken for doneness with a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165F / 74C.
- Air fryer temperatures can vary depending on the make and model. Start with less cooking time, check for doneness, then add more time as needed.
- Storage – keep leftovers in an airtight container inside the fridge for 4 days.
- There are 4 WW Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.
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