ow Long to Bake Chicken Tenders at 350: A Comprehensive Guide

Oven-baked chicken tenders are a favorite for many. They are versatile, loved by kids, make excellent lunch box additions, have different textures, and you can serve them with various side dishes, dips, and sauces.

Regarding baking chicken tenders, how long do you need to bake them at 350 to be ready? To learn more about baking chicken tenders, stay here for more details.

How Long To Bake Chicken Tenders At 350?

How long you can bake chicken tenders at 350 depends on various factors, including the size of the chicken tenders. But generally, baking chicken tenders at 350 degrees Fahrenheit will take 20 to 25 minutes.

Note that smaller and thinner chicken tenders take less time to bake than their counterparts. It can take you between 15 and 20 minutes to bake small chicken tenders at 350 degrees F, and 25 to 30 minutes to bake bigger cuts.

Moreover, the level of doneness of your chicken tenders determines how long you’ll have to cook them. If you like your chicken tenders to be well cooked, you’ll have to bake them for longer. This will take you between 30 to 35 minutes at 350 degrees F.

On the other hand, if you prefer tender and juicy chicken tenders, you’ll need to bake them for a shorter time. This will take you 20 to 25 minutes.

To avoid overcooking your chicken tenders when baking them, use a meat thermometer to check for doneness, and don’t rely on the timing alone. Once your instant thermometer registers 165 degrees F, your chicken tenders are ready.

How Long To Bake Frozen Chicken Tenders At 350?

Frozen chicken tenders take about 30 to 35 minutes to bake in a 350 degrees F preheated oven. However, as previously stated, the overall baking time will depend on the thickness of your chicken and the type of oven you’re using.

How Long To Grill Chicken Tenders At 350?

When using a grill that has been preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, your chicken tenders will take 8 to 10 minutes to be ready. Note that they may take longer or less time if they are bigger or smaller.

How Long To Cook Chicken Tenders At 350 In An Air Fryer?

It will take 10 to 12 minutes to cook chicken tenders in an air fryer preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember to flip the chicken tenders midway through cooking.

How To Check Chicken Tenders Doneness

Besides using a meat thermometer, which remains the best way to determine chicken tenders’ doneness, you can observe your meat to know if it’s ready. Cut a piece of the chicken and check if the fluids are clear.

If the fluids coming from the chicken are clear, your chicken tenders are ready to eat. However, if they are not and have a pinkish color, your chicken tenders are not cooked. Here, you’ll have to give your meat additional time in the oven.

How To Bake Chicken tenders At 350

For this recipe, you’ll need the following:

1-2 pounds of chicken tenders.
Olive oil.
Zesty bread seasoning.

Procedure

Place your chicken tenders on a baking sheet, brush both sides generously with olive oil, and season heavily.
Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 25 minutes or until the meat’s center is no longer pink.

How Can You Prevent Your Chicken Tenders From Drying

If your bake small or thin chicken tenders, you’re more likely to end up with dry meat. To prevent your chicken from drying, wrap them with foil before placing them on the baking sheet. Doing so helps prevent the moisture from escaping or evaporating.

Alternatively, you can brine your chicken tenders which will help add moisture to the chicken.

What Can You Serve With Baked Chicken Tenders?

Chicken tenders are delicious on their own, with a vegetable salad or a dip. Besides that, here are great side dishes you can serve with baked chicken tenders:

Mexican street corn salad.
French fries.
Asparagus fries.
Coleslaw.
Cajun chicken pasta.
Orzo salad.
Pasta primavera.
Pesto sauce.
Onion soup.
Sweet potatoes.
Mac and cheese.
Zucchini pasta.
Biscuits.
Cornbread.
Million dollar dip.
Glazed veggies.

How To Store Baked Chicken Tenders

There are various of how you can store your baked delights. They include:

At Room Temperature

Storing baked chicken tenders at room temperature is not recommended. Like all other meats, don’t let your chicken tenders stay on the shelf longer than two hours. Doing so enters the meat into the “danger zone,” which facilitates the rapid growth of micro-organisms.

In The Fridge

Once cooled, refrigerate your baked chicken tenders right away. Keep them in an airtight container or plastic bag to prevent them from absorbing the odors of other foods in the fridge. Refrigerated chicken can last up to three days.

Remember to maintain your fridge’s temperatures to 40 degrees or less for efficient refrigeration.

In The Freezer

If you don’t intend to consume your chicken tenders in a couple of days, it’s best to freeze them. Wrap the chicken tenders in freezer paper or plastic wrap until covered completely. Then cover them with an aluminum foil sheet. Doing this prevents your chicken tenders from developing freezer burns which affect the appearance and flavor of food.

How To Reheat Leftover Baked Chicken Tenders

There are two ways of reheating baked leftover chicken tenders in the oven or microwave.

In The Oven

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Place the chicken tenders on a wire rack placed on a baking sheet.
Bake the chicken tenders until they reach an internal temperature of 120 degrees. This usually takes about 10 minutes.

In The Microwave

Place the chicken tenders in a single layer on the dish and heat them in a microwave for 30 seconds.
Remove them and keep heating them for extra 30 seconds until they are well heated.
If you desire a crunchier coating, broil them for a minute or two. Alternatively, you can fry them in a skillet.

Conclusion

Baking chicken tenders at 350 will take about 20 to 25 minutes. Bake the chicken tenders for 15 to 20 minutes at 350 if they are smaller, and 25 to 30 minutes if bigger.