Crouton Crusted Chicken Tenders are coated in a golden, crunchy, crushed crouton coating that will make you forget all about traditional breadcrumbs!

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Don't you hate it when you dive into preparing a recipe and then you realize you're out of something? The worst. Especially when you're committed. You've started prepping, preheating the oven, chopping veggies...and then BAM, you've got no breadcrumbs for the chicken tenders.

If you have nice neighbors, you could always see if you can borrow the breadcrumbs. But if you don't have pantry staple swapping type people living next door to you, you either have to abort mission or improvise.

I'm team improvise!

For this recipe, I decided to head to the pantry to see what I could use as a breadcrumb substitute. When I saw the bag of croutons sitting on the shelf, I knew the chicken tenders could be salvaged! Crushed croutons make a fabulous substitute for breadcrumbs. It's so good, you'll totally want to sub croutons for breadcrumbs every time!

HOW TO BAKE CHICKEN TENDERS WITHOUT BREADCRUMBS

No breadcrumbs? No worries! There are quite a few things that can substitute breadcrumbs as a coating for chicken tenders. Try crushed croutons, crushed cornflakes, crushed french fried onions, or crushed pork rinds.  Dip the chicken tenders into flour, whisked eggs, and your crushed coating of choice then bake until done.  See below for detailed instructions.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHICKEN TENDERS

Chicken tenders are great served with so many things! Try them with some mac and cheese, french fries, steamed veggies, on top of a garden salad, or in a wrap!

HOW LONG DO BAKED CHICKEN TENDERS LAST?

Store leftover chicken tenders in the refrigerator in an airtight container or wrapped in aluminum foil or plastic wrap for up to 2 days.

MORE CHICKEN RECIPES

Looking for more recipes that use chicken breasts? Check out a couple more of my favorite chicken recipes from the archives:

Pictured:
Crispy Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Chicken Fried Chicken

If you try this Crouton Crusted Chicken Tender recipe, I'd love to know what you think in the comments below. Enjoy!

4 servings

Crouton Crusted Chicken Tenders

Crouton Crusted Chicken Tenders are coated in a golden, crunchy, crushed crouton coating that will make you forget all about traditional breadcrumbs!

  prep time: 15 MINcook time: 15 MINtotal time: 30 MIN 

INGREDIENTS

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 bag croutons
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
1 teaspoon water

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Pulse the croutons in a food processor until they resemble coarse breadcrumbs. Combine the crushed croutons, the parmesan cheese, the garlic powder, and the salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Put the flour into another shallow dish. In a third shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and water.

3. Cut each chicken breast into 4-5 chicken tenders. Dip each chicken tender into the flour, then the eggs, and finally the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs onto the chicken tenders. Place each chicken tender onto a baking sheet.

4. Bake the chicken tenders in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.

NOTES

If you don't have a food processor, you can crush the croutons by opening the bag, pressing out the air, resealing the bag, and crushing with a rolling pin.

Add addition dried herbs to the crouton mixture, if desired. Try Italian seasoning, rosemary, parsley, or basil!

Author: Becky

Nutrition data should not be considered a guarantee. Please see our full Nutrition Data Disclosure.