These recipes are worth a try at any age. Pass the dipping sauce, please!
20 Recipes for Homemade Chicken Nuggets, Tenders and Strips
Updated on Apr. 13, 2024
1/20
Tex-Mex Chicken Strips
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I was looking for a way to amp up the flavor of regular chicken strips so I crushed up some leftover corn chips to create a crispy, flavorful coating. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked chicken: 258 calories, 14g fat (7g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 351mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 28g protein.
2/20
Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets
Total Time
24 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I developed this recipe specifically to copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets. The first time I made them I knew I had a winner because the whole family fought over who got the last one! For a dipping sauce, combine equal parts barbecue sauce and Dijon mustard, then stir in honey to taste. —Jeni Pittard, Statham, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 307 calories, 16g fat (2g saturated fat), 63mg cholesterol, 514mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 0 fiber), 24g protein.
3/20
Air-Fryer Chicken Strips
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked chicken: 161 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 618mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 0.500 starch.
4/20
Skillet Plum Chicken Tenders
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you love plums, this recipe is for you! I combine the fruit with chicken tenders for a quick, easy and flavorful meal. Serve with brown rice or orzo pasta. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 343 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 83mg cholesterol, 483mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (26g sugars, 2g fiber), 41g protein.
5/20
Chicken Strips
Total Time
20 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I recently made this recipe of Mom's for my in-laws and they told me it was the "best fried chicken ever." Slicing the chicken breasts into strips cuts down on cooking time and ensures every piece is crunchy and evenly coated. Serve the homemade chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce. —Genny Monchamp, Redding, California
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces cooked chicken: 388 calories, 19g fat (3g saturated fat), 98mg cholesterol, 704mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 28g protein.
6/20
Everything Bagel Chicken Strips
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I love the flavor profile of everything bagels, so I re-created it with traditional breaded chicken fingers. Serve them with your favorite chicken finger dip. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 246 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 85mg cholesterol, 593mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 30g protein.
7/20
Spicy Chicken Nuggets
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We devour these golden chicken nuggets at least once a week. If you want to tone down the heat, skip the chipotle pepper. —Cheryl Cook, Palmyra, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 371 calories, 22g fat (10g saturated fat), 113mg cholesterol, 527mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein.
8/20
Italian Chicken Tenderloins
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My friend made this meal for my husband and me after our first child was born. Since chicken tenderloin recipes can be so caloric, I trimmed down the fat and carbs, but we love it just the same. —Beth Ann Stein, Richmond, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounce-weight: 163 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 287mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.
9/20
Easy Chicken Strips
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I came up with these crispy strips one night when I was looking for a fast new way to serve chicken. They also make delightful appetizers, especially when served with barbecue or sweet-and-sour sauce for dunking. —Crystal Sheckles-Gibson, Beespring, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked chicken: 283 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 87mg cholesterol, 438mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 25g protein.
10/20
Chicken Fries
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Kid-friendly and quick, these crunchy oven-baked chicken fries are coated with a mixture of crushed potato chips, panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dip them in ranch dressing, barbecue sauce or honey-mustard sauce.—Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 376 calories, 17g fat (6g saturated fat), 149mg cholesterol, 761mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 27g protein.
11/20
Baked Chicken Tenders
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These strips are designed for kids, but tasty enough for company. The tender strips are moist and juicy and would also be great on a salad. —Becky Oliver, Fairplay, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked chicken: 194 calories, 2g fat (0 saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 518mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 31g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1 starch.
12/20
Citrus-Honey Chicken
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We raise heirloom-breed chickens, so I'm always looking for chicken recipes. This one with oven baked chicken tenderloins and orange and honey flavors is tops at our house. —Beth Nafziger, Lowville, NY
Nutrition Facts:
2 chicken tenders with 2 tablespoons sauce: 326 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 663mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 1g fiber), 29g protein.
13/20
Fried Chicken Tenders
Total Time
35 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
What's not to love with these crowd-pleasing golden fried chicken strips? A hint of garlic makes this fried chicken tenders recipe irresistible. —Genise Krause, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked chicken: 327 calories, 11g fat (2g saturated fat), 126mg cholesterol, 320mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 39g protein.
14/20
Crispy Sage Chicken Tenders
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
One of my mom’s favorite chicken recipes used fresh sage. Her version was smothered with gravy, but we like these panko chicken tenders as they are. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan
15/20
Crispy Barbecue Chicken Tenders
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These crunch-coated chicken tenders are a little sweet, a little tangy and a whole lot of fun. In half an hour, your family's new favorite dish is ready to eat. When I have extra time, I roast garlic and add it to the sauce. —Andreann Geise, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
3 ounces cooked chicken with 2 tablespoons sauce: 411 calories, 27g fat (6g saturated fat), 109mg cholesterol, 492mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 31g protein.
16/20
Chili Chicken Strips
Total Time
25 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Instead of ordinary bread crumbs, seasoned crushed corn chips coat these slightly crunchy chicken fingers. If your family likes food with some heat, use the full 1-1/2 teaspoons of chili powder. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 265 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 119mg cholesterol, 381mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein.
17/20
Crispy BBQ Chip Tenders
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings (1 cup sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
These crunchy chicken tenders are a little sweet, a little tangy and a whole lot of fun. In half an hour, your family's new favorite dish is ready to eat. When I have extra time, I roast garlic and add it to the sauce. —Andreann Geise, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces cooked chicken with about 2 tablespoons sauce: 338 calories, 18g fat (6g saturated fat), 109mg cholesterol, 494mg sodium, 15g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 31g protein.
18/20
Apricot Cranberry Chicken
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Before we had kids, my husband and I used to make a lot of challenging recipes, but now we keep things a little simpler. This tangy chicken has big flavors that everybody likes. —Brooke Ruzek, Elk River, Minnesota
19/20
Apple-Mustard Chicken Tenders
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband says this dish is sweet and a little bit sassy, just like me. I like to use Granny Smith apples for a bit of tartness. Winesaps are great for this dish, too. —Linda Cifuentes, Mahomet, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 263 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 71mg cholesterol, 519mg sodium, 24g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 1g fiber), 27g protein.
20/20
Parmesan Chicken Nuggets
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My 3-year-old went through a chicken-nuggets-and-french-fries-only stage, so I made these golden nuggets for him. Even the grown-ups like them! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
6 nuggets (calculated without marinara): 191 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 67mg cholesterol, 309mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 20g protein.
