Name: Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1½ pounds chicken breast tenders; 1 large egg; ¼ cup milk; ½ cup flour; ¼ cup plain bread crumbs (can also use pork panko crumbs); 1½ tablespoons everything bagel seasoning blend; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil spray; Dipping sauces, for serving

You're going to fall in love with this Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders Recipe — a crispy, savory twist on traditional chicken tenders that’s packed with that iconic everything bagel seasoning flavor. Trust me, it’s simple, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights or casual get-togethers.

The image shows several pieces of golden-brown crispy chicken strips placed on a white marbled surface. Each chicken strip has a crunchy texture with a coating that is dotted with black and white sesame seeds and small bits of seasoning. The surface around the chicken pieces has small crumbs and a light oily sheen. In the top right corner, there is a clear glass bowl filled with a creamy, light beige dipping sauce with visible specks of seasoning on top. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Ever since I tried these tenders, they’ve become an easy favorite in my rotation. That crunchy coating loaded with everything bagel spices makes all the difference — and baking them keeps things lighter but still super crispy!

Bold Flavor Boost: The everything bagel seasoning adds a savory punch that’s both familiar and exciting.
Easy & Hands-off: Baking instead of frying means minimal mess and stress in the kitchen.
Perfectly Crispy: Double-dipping the chicken in coating creates that irresistible crunchy crust.
Family-Friendly: These tenders are a hit with kids and adults alike — plus, they’re great with a variety of dipping sauces!

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start, gather everything together — it really helps when you have all your ingredients ready to go. And if you want to tweak this recipe, I’ll share some quick tips on substitutions and making sure your chicken cooks evenly.

Flat lay of fresh raw chicken breast tenders arranged neatly, one whole uncracked brown egg beside a small white ceramic bowl with creamy milk, a simple white bowl holding fine white flour, another small white bowl filled with plain golden bread crumbs, a small white bowl showcasing a colorful blend of everything bagel seasoning with visible sesame seeds, garlic flakes, and poppy seeds, a tiny white bowl with vibrant red paprika powder, a small white bowl containing golden olive oil, all placed in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken breast tenders: Tender cuts cook quickly and evenly, perfect for this recipe’s crispy coating.
Large egg: Helps the coating stick wonderfully to the chicken for that crisp finish.
Milk: Added to the egg for a smoother, more even wash.
Flour: Provides a base layer for the breading to cling onto the chicken.
Plain bread crumbs: Give a subtle crunch; you can swap in panko crumbs for extra crispiness.
Everything bagel seasoning blend: The star ingredient — packed with garlic, onion, sesame, and poppy seeds for that authentic flavor.
Paprika: Adds a gentle smoky warmth and beautiful color.
Olive oil spray: Helps the tenders brown nicely without frying in oil.
Dipping sauces: Totally optional but always welcome to amp up the fun and flavor!

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

The great thing about this Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders Recipe is how easy it is to personalize! Whether you want to dial up the spice, swap ingredients for dietary needs, or add a seasonal twist, these tenders are a fantastic canvas for your creativity.

Gluten-Free Variation: I love using gluten-free plain breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers to keep things allergy-friendly without sacrificing the crispiness. Just make sure your everything bagel seasoning blend is gluten-free as well.
Spicy Kick: When I’m craving a little heat, I sprinkle in some cayenne pepper or chipotle powder to the coating mixture. It pairs wonderfully with a cooling ranch or blue cheese dip.
Extra Crunch: For an ultra-crispy coating, swap plain bread crumbs with panko. I find pork panko crumbs add an unbeatable crunch and keep the tenders juicy inside.
Herby Freshness: In spring or summer, I toss in finely chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill into the breading mix — it brightens the flavor and adds a lovely pop of color.
Low-Fat Friendly: You can lighten up the oil by using a mist of avocado oil spray or simply skip the spray and bake longer at a slightly lower temperature, though the olives oil spray really helps develop that golden crust.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders Recipe

A white plate holds seven golden brown crispy chicken strips, each coated with a crunchy breading speckled with black and white sesame seeds. The chicken strips are arranged in a loose pile, showing varied shapes and sizes with a textured, rough surface. To the right of the chicken pieces, a small clear glass bowl sits filled with a creamy light yellow dipping sauce that has red and black specks mixed throughout. The whole scene rests on a backdrop of white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prep the Baking Sheet

Start by setting your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. A hot oven is key here—it helps the tenders get that perfect golden brown crust while locking in moisture. Meanwhile, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This simple step saves you a ton of cleanup and prevents the tenders from sticking, so it’s definitely worth it.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Egg Wash

Grab a mixing bowl and whisk together 1 large egg with ¼ cup of milk. This egg wash acts as the glue that helps our coating stick tightly to the chicken. Make sure it’s well combined—think smooth and slightly frothy. Set this aside for dipping your chicken tenders.

Step 3: Mix Your Flavorful Dry Coating

In a separate bowl or plate, combine ½ cup flour, ¼ cup plain breadcrumbs (or pork panko crumbs, if you prefer), 1½ tablespoons of everything bagel seasoning, and 1 teaspoon of paprika. This combination brings that signature crunch and savory zing with garlic, onion, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds all working their magic.

Step 4: Double-Dip Your Tenders for Maximum Crisp

Now for the fun part: coating the chicken! Take each chicken tender and first dip it into the dry coating. Then immediately dip it in the egg wash, letting any excess drip off gently. Finally, roll it one more time in the dry mixture to double coat. This double-dipping is what ensures a crispy and flavorful crust every time.

Step 5: Arrange and Spray for Perfect Baking

Lay your coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet, making sure they have a little breathing room for even cooking. Lightly spray the tops with 1 to 2 teaspoons of olive oil spray—this subtle layer of oil helps them brown beautifully and develop that crave-worthy crunch in the oven.

Step 6: Bake, Flip, and Finish to Golden Perfection

Bake the tenders for 10 minutes at 425˚F. Then carefully flip each piece over and spray again with olive oil spray. Pop them back into the oven for another 8 minutes, or until they’re wonderfully crisp, golden brown, and have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Using an instant-read thermometer here is your best bet for safe, juicy chicken.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Once out of the oven, let your chicken tenders rest for a couple of minutes. This little pause lets the juices settle and keeps every bite moist. Serve them up with your favorite dipping sauces—think ranch, honey mustard, or even a zesty sriracha mayo for an extra punch!

Top Tip

Getting these Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders just right is all about a few simple but important things that make the flavor shine and the crust irresistibly crispy. Here are some tips I've picked up to help you nail this recipe every time.

Double-Dip for Extra Crunch: The trick I love is dipping the chicken tenders into the breading mix, then the egg wash, and then coating them again with the breading. This double layer creates that signature crispy crust that holds the everything bagel seasoning perfectly.
Use Panko Breadcrumbs if You Can: I found that swapping plain bread crumbs for panko gives a lighter, crunchier bite. Of course, plain crumbs work well too, especially if you want a finer crust.
Olive Oil Spray Is Your Friend: Spraying the tenders lightly with olive oil before and after flipping helps them brown beautifully without tipping the scales with excess fat.
Keep Tenders Similar Size: To ensure even cooking, try to select chicken tenders of roughly the same size. This avoids the frustration of some being overcooked while others are under.

How to Serve Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders Recipe

A white plate with a mixture of dry ingredients in the center, showing three main layers: a base layer of white powdery flour spread out unevenly, a middle layer of reddish-brown ground spice sprinkled thickly over the flour, and on top a small pile of mixed seeds including black sesame, white sesame, and small roasted bits, giving a rough texture; the ingredients are scattered slightly around the edges on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives adds a pop of color and fresh flavor to these tenders. If you’re feeling adventurous, serve them with a lemon wedge for a little zing or a drizzle of a creamy avocado sauce for a cool counterpoint to the spicy-sesame coating.

Side Dishes

These tenders pair beautifully with a variety of sides—think roasted sweet potato fries, a crisp garden salad, or even some buttery garlic green beans. For a more substantial meal, quinoa or brown rice make great bases alongside the tenders and a tangy dipping sauce.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep well for up to 3 days. Be sure to let them cool completely before sealing the container to avoid sogginess.

Freezing

If you want to freeze these for later, arrange the cooked tenders on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid. Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. They should stay good for up to 1 month. When ready to eat, reheat directly from frozen for best texture.

Reheating

The best way to reheat is to place the tenders on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through and crispy again. Avoid the microwave if you want to keep that crunchy coating intact.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen chicken tenders for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just thaw the chicken tenders completely in the refrigerator before coating and baking to ensure even cooking and a crispy crust.

What if I don’t have everything bagel seasoning?

No worries! You can make your own by mixing sesame seeds, poppy seeds, garlic powder, onion powder, and sea salt. This DIY blend works just as well for that signature flavor.

How do I know when the chicken tenders are fully cooked?

Using an instant-read thermometer is the best way—once the internal temperature reaches 165˚F, your chicken is perfectly safe and juicy.

Can I make these tenders gluten-free?

Yes! Just substitute regular flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free versions. The rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're making these Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders as a quick weeknight dinner or a flavorful snack to share, they truly hit the spot with their crispy coating and savory kick. I hope these tips and serving ideas help you enjoy this recipe to the fullest—and bring a little bagel-inspired joy to your table!