Easy Weeknight Chicken Tenders

This easy weeknight chicken tenders recipe shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and Quaker®. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias #LoveMyCereal #QuakerUp

I can’t tell you how many times I find myself wandering the aisles at Walmart looking for great clearance items, colorful mason jars, and creative snacking ideas. While I was there last week, I found great deals on Christmas wrapping paper for next year and grabbed a box of Quaker® Life cereal to snack on in the car.

It’s funny how flavors and brands can transport you to another time in your life. I remember trying Quaker® Oatmeal Squares in the break room at my last office job and sharing Quaker® Real Medleys® with The Boy before he mastered the art of “NO!”. I’m thankful that no one else in my home eats Quaker® Simply Granola; it’s amazing as a yogurt parfait!

One thing everyone in my family agrees on is our love of Quaker® Life cereal. For The Texan and I, it brings back memories of “Mikey” who liked it! The Boy likes it too. After enjoying a handful in the car, I thought it would be fun to create an easy weeknight chicken tenders recipe using the Quaker® Life cereal. In a weird twist of fate, I’d already purchased everything that I needed at my neighborhood Walmart.

What You’ll Need:
For the Chicken Tenders
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast tenders
3/4 cup of milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups of Quaker® Life cereal, crushed
cinnamon
salt
pepper

For the Chipotle Cranberry Maple Sauce
2 TBSP homemade cranberry sauce (may substitute canned)
2 TBSP Chipotle Flavored Hot Sauce
1 TSP real Maple Syrup

For the Honey Mustard
2 TBSP yellow mustard
2 TBSP honey

Making Weeknight Chicken Tenders

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Farenheit. Spray baking rack and baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Optional: Create an easy to clean work station by lining your counter with freezer paper, shiny side down. Doing this prevents any spills from the raw chicken getting onto the counter and makes clean up a breeze!

Slice chicken breast into tender-shaped pieces, if needed. Season chicken pieces well with salt, pepper, and cinnamon. Flip, and do the same to the reverse side.

Grab four small bowls from the cabinet. Pour milk into one and adding a sprinkle or two of cinnamon, the lightly beaten eggs into another, flour into the third, and the crushed Quaker® Life cereal into the remaining bowl.

The easiest way to crush the cereal is to place it in a plastic zip top bag and roll over it with a rolling pin. This rolling pin was my grandmother’s. I think about what an amazing woman she was every time I use it.

Working quickly using a fork and spoon or one hand for wet and one for dry, dip chicken one piece at a time into milk, then into egg, then into flour, then back into the egg, then into the cereal. Place your beautiful chicken tender on the rack nestled in the baking pan. Repeat until all of your chicken is battered.

Lightly spray the top of the chicken tenders with non-stick cooking spray. This encourages a nice brown color when baking; giving the appearance of a more traditional chicken tender recipe.

Slide the baking pan into the oven and set your timer for twenty minutes. Don’t open the oven. Leave it alone. Use this time to clean up your mess. Remember, you’ve been working with raw chicken so a thorough clean up is super important.

Remember to wash your hands!

Making Chipotle Cranberry Maple Dipping Sauce

In a small bowl, combine homemade cranberry sauce, chipotle hot sauce, and maple syrup. Mix until well-combined. Transfer to serving bowl.

 

 

Making Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

In a small bowl, combine mustard and honey. Mix until well-combined. Transfer to serving bowl. You can change things up by looking for flavored mustards while shopping. I found a Jalapeño Mustard is that is AMAZING; and quite delicious when blended with honey.

Clean up your dipping sauce ingredients and wash the bowls. By now, the chicken tenders should be ready! Use a food thermometer to double check that the temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

You can top them with the sauces or serve them on the side for dipping. Either way, your family is going to love this easy weeknight chicken tenders recipe!

I’m always looking for easy weeknight chicken recipes and other ways to simplify the dinner process. Leave a comment sharing your favorite weeknight dinner recipe or tips for making the meal period less chaotic!