Baked Old Bay Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard
Crispy baked chicken tenders coated in a savory blend of Old Bay seasoning, breadcrumbs, and flour, served with a tangy honey mustard dipping sauce. This family-friendly recipe delivers all the flavor of fried chicken without the oil, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or casual entertaining. The iconic Old Bay seasoning adds a distinctive Chesapeake Bay flavor with hints of celery salt, paprika, and warm spices that sets these tenders apart from ordinary breaded chicken.
Ingredients
- ½ cup French's Honey Mustardregular mustard1:1flavor
less sweet
- 2 tablespoons Old Bay seasoning, divided
- 1 ½ pounds chicken tenders or boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch strips
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ⅓ cup plain bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons flour
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 425 degrees
- 2
Mix honey mustard and 1 tablespoon Old Bay in small bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve
- 3
Coat chicken with oil in large bowl
- 4
Mix bread crumbs, flour and remaining Old Bay in large resealable plastic bag
- 5
Add chicken in batches to bag, seal and shake to coat evenly
- 6
Arrange chicken in single layer on wire rack in baking pan
- 7
Discard bag with any remaining seasoning mixture
- 8
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until chicken is cooked through
- 9
Serve with Old Bay honey mustard
Tips
Use a wire rack to allow air circulation for crispier coating
Shake chicken in batches to ensure even coating coverage
Let chicken rest 5 minutes after baking for juiciest results
Good to Know
Refrigerate cooked tenders up to 3 days in airtight container
Can bread chicken up to 4 hours ahead, refrigerate until baking
Best served immediately while coating is crispy, with honey mustard sauce
Common Mistakes
Use wire rack to avoid soggy bottom coating
Don't overcrowd pan to ensure even browning
Check internal temperature reaches 165F to avoid undercooking
Substitutions
Gluten-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
less sweet
FAQ
Can I use chicken breasts instead of tenders?
Yes, cut boneless skinless breasts into 1/2-inch strips as directed. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on thickness.
What if I don't have Old Bay seasoning?
Mix 1 tablespoon paprika, 1 teaspoon celery salt, 1/2 teaspoon each garlic powder and onion powder, and pinch of cayenne.
How long do these keep in the refrigerator?
Store cooked tenders in airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in 350F oven for best texture.