Skip the deep fryer and enjoy these easy Oven Fried Chicken Strips! Crispy, golden, and full of flavor, they’re ready in just 30 minutes, making them perfect for a quick and tasty dinner.
These Oven Fried Chicken Strips deliver all the crispy, golden goodness of classic fried chicken without the mess of deep frying. Tender chicken pieces are coated in a seasoned breadcrumb or panko crust that bakes up crunchy on the outside while staying juicy and flavorful inside. The oven method keeps things lighter but still incredibly satisfying, making these strips perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or kid-friendly lunches.
These chicken strips are one of our favorite kid-friendly dinner recipes. My kiddos also love my popcorn chicken (also baked in the oven!) and cornflake chicken tenders recipe, so be sure to try them all!
Table of Contents
Why We Love These Chicken Strips
- No deep frying means less mess. With Oven Fried Chicken Strips, your oven does all the work.
- The whole family will love the crunch and tenderness of Oven Fried Chicken Strips—especially the kids!
- Oven Fried Chicken Strips make a great meal prep option, perfect for quick lunches or snacks throughout the week.
Recipe Ingredients
- Paprika: Adds a subtle smokiness and vibrant color.
- Seasoned Salt: Infuses a balanced salty flavor with hints of herbs, giving the chicken depth and making it more flavorful.
- Cayenne pepper: Delivers a hint of heat.
For a full list of ingredients and amounts, see the recipe card below.
Variations
- Panko-Crusted Chicken Strips: Swap traditional flour for panko breadcrumbs to create extra crispy chicken strips with a lighter texture.
- Herb and Spice Variation: Add dried oregano or dried parsley, thyme, or rosemary for a savory herb flavor, or use smoked paprika for extra depth. For those who like a bit more heat, increase the cayenne pepper or add chili powder.
- Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Strips: Mix grated Parmesan cheese into the flour mixture to add a rich, cheesy flavor and extra crunch.
How to Make Chicken Strips
Step 1: Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius), line a baking sheet with foil, then place a wire rack on top. Spray the rack with non-stick baking spray and set aside.
Step 2: In a rectangular dish with sides, whisk together the eggs, hot sauce, Worcestershire, and buttermilk. Set aside.
Step 3: In a large Ziploc bag, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, seasoned salt, black pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add the 2 tablespoons of buttermilk and shake well to create crumbs.
Step 4: Dip each chicken strip into the flour mixture, then into the egg wash (making sure to coat both sides). Place back into the bag, close, and shake until coated again. Place on the prepared wire rack, allow to sit for 5 minutes, and drizzle the melted butter over the tops.*
Step 5: Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until browned and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). Remove and serve immediately.
Expert Tips
- Achieving Perfect Crispiness: If you spot any dry areas on your chicken strips while they bake, give them a light spray of oil and return them to the oven. This helps achieve even crispiness and a golden finish.
- Shake Off Excess Flour: After dredging the chicken in the flour mixture, shake off any excess flour before dipping it in the egg mixture. This prevents the coating from becoming too thick or soggy.
FAQs
There are plenty of options to choose from! Some favorites include BBQ sauce, honey mustard sauce, ranch, chipotle ranch, buffalo sauce, ketchup, or even Burger Sauce.
Serve your chicken strips with a kid-friendly side dish. Some favorites are simple salads, Instant Pot mac and cheese, oven-roasted broccoli, and mashed potatoes for a well-rounded, family-friendly meal.
Storage Info
To STORE leftover chicken strips, place them in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-5 days. To FREEZE, arrange the strips in a single layer, then transfer them to a freezer bag for up to 3 months.
When ready to REHEAT, warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes to keep the breading crispy. If they begin to brown too much, tent them with foil. For frozen strips, reheat at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes.
More Kid-Friendly Dishes to Try
Oven Fried Chicken Strips Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs chicken breast - cut into strips
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 tsp Worcestershire
- 2 tbsp buttermilk
- 2 cup all purpose flour
- 3 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 2 tbsp seasoned salt
- 2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp buttermilk
- 3 tbsp butter - melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius), line a baking sheet with foil, then place a wire rack on top. Spray the rack with non-stick baking spray and set aside.
- In a rectangular dish with sides, whisk together the eggs, hot sauce, Worcestershire, and buttermilk. Set aside.
- In a large Ziploc bag, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, seasoned salt, black pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add the 2 tablespoons of buttermilk and shake well to create crumbs.
- Dip each chicken strip into the flour mixture, then into the egg wash (making sure to coat both sides). Place back into the bag, close, and shake until coated again. Place on the prepared wire rack, allow to sit for 5 minutes, and drizzle the melted butter over the tops.*
- Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until browned and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). Remove and serve immediately.
The chicken stayed juicy inside while the coating actually got crunchy in the oven,
This was not good-lacked in flavor big time. I DIDN’T ADD the butter coating because I was rushing and kind of didn’t want to add butter to chicken(?)….but of course the coating stayed flour-ry and never crisped. As hard as I worked on prep and dipping, etc my 7 and 1 year olds took the breading off and did NOT ask for seconds. Needs more flavor…if I try again, will add melted butter. -mk
The melted butter adds a lot of flavor! Definitely try it again!