25 Recipes for Homemade Chicken Nuggets, Tenders and Strips

Tex-Mex Chicken Strips

I was looking for a way to amp up the flavor of regular chicken strips so I crushed up some leftover corn chips to create a crispy, flavorful coating. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida

Copycat Chick-Fil-A Chicken Nuggets

I developed this recipe specifically to copycat Chick-fil-A chicken nuggets. The first time I made them I knew I had a winner because the whole family fought over who got the last one! For a dipping sauce, combine equal parts barbecue sauce and Dijon mustard, then stir in honey to taste. —Jeni Pittard, Statham, Georgia

Air-Fryer Chicken Tenders

I added all of the components of a loaded baked potato—cheddar, potato, bacon, sour cream and chives—to my air-fryer chicken tenders recipe. Every kid will love this quick and easy dish! —Cyndy Gerken, Naples, Florida

Skillet Plum Chicken Tenders

If you love plums, this recipe is for you! I combine the fruit with chicken tenders for a quick, easy and flavorful meal. Serve with brown rice or orzo pasta. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Fried Chicken Strips

I recently made this recipe of Mom's for my in-laws and they told me it was the "best fried chicken ever." Slicing the chicken breasts into strips cuts down on cooking time and ensures every piece is crunchy and evenly coated. Serve the homemade chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce. —Genny Monchamp, Redding, California

Everything Bagel Chicken Strips

I love the flavor profile of everything bagels, so I re-created it with traditional breaded chicken fingers. Serve them with your favorite chicken finger dip. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida

Spicy Chicken Nuggets

We devour these spicy chicken nuggets at least once a week. If you want to tone down the heat, skip the chipotle pepper. —Cheryl Cook, Palmyra, Virginia

Italian Chicken Tenderloins

My friend made this meal for my husband and me after our first child was born. Since chicken tenderloin recipes can be so caloric, I trimmed down the fat and carbs, but we love it just the same. —Beth Ann Stein, Richmond, Indiana

Easy Chicken Strips

I came up with these crispy strips one night when I was looking for a fast new way to serve chicken. They also make delightful appetizers, especially when served with barbecue or sweet-and-sour sauce for dunking. —Crystal Sheckles-Gibson, Beespring, Kentucky

Chicken Fries

Kid-friendly and quick, these crunchy oven-baked chicken fries are coated with a mixture of crushed potato chips, panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dip them in ranch dressing, barbecue sauce or honey-mustard sauce.—Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado

Tuscan Chicken Tenders with Pesto Sauce

Golden bites of breaded chicken? You can't go wrong! A green and red pesto sauce for dipping adds a flavorful accent and festive color. Serve the little tenders warm or at room temperature. —Mary Lou Cook, Welches, Oregon

Seasoned Chicken Strips

These strips are designed for kids, but tasty enough for company. The tender strips are moist and juicy and would also be great on a salad. —Becky Oliver, Fairplay, Colorado

Citrus-Honey Chicken

We raise heirloom-breed chickens, so I'm always looking for chicken recipes. This one with oven baked chicken tenderloins and orange and honey flavors is tops at our house. —Beth Nafziger, Lowville, NY

Southern Fried Chicken Strips

What's not to love with these crowd-pleasing golden fried chicken strips? A hint of garlic makes this fried chicken tenders recipe irresistible. —Genise Krause, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin

Crispy Sage Chicken Tenders

One of my mom's favorite chicken recipes used fresh sage. Her version was smothered with gravy, but we like these panko-crusted tenders as they are. —Deb Perry, Traverse City, Michigan

Air-Fryer Sweet Potato-Crusted Chicken Nuggets

I was looking for ways to spice up traditional chicken nuggets and came up with this recipe. The coating adds a crunchy texture and flavor, while the meat is tender on the inside. —Kristina Segarra, Yonkers, New York

Crispy Barbecue Chicken Tenders

These crunch-coated chicken tenders are a little sweet, a little tangy and a whole lot of fun. In half an hour, your family's new favorite dish is ready to eat. When I have extra time, I roast garlic and add it to the sauce. —Andreann Geise, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Pecan-Crusted Chicken Nuggets

I loved chicken nuggets as a child. This baked version is healthier than the original, and it’s a great meal for kids. — Haili Carroll, Valencia, California

Chili Chicken Strips

Instead of ordinary bread crumbs, seasoned crushed corn chips coat these slightly crunchy chicken fingers. If your family likes food with some heat, use the full 1-1/2 teaspoons of chili powder. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Crispy BBQ Chip Tenders

These crunchy chicken tenders are a little sweet, a little tangy and a whole lot of fun. In half an hour, your family's new favorite dish is ready to eat. When I have extra time, I roast garlic and add it to the sauce. —Andreann Geise, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Pretzel-Coated Chicken Nuggets

Chicken nuggets with a crushed pretzel crust have a guaranteed wow factor. Have them as a quick weeknight supper or serve 'em as a party app. —Carrie Farias, Oak Ridge, New Jersey

Apricot Cranberry Chicken

Before we had kids, my husband and I used to make a lot of challenging recipes, but now we keep things a little simpler. This tangy chicken has big flavors that everybody likes. —Brooke Ruzek, Elk River, Minnesota

Nutty Chicken Strips

I enjoy cooking for my parents and two brothers. I usually prepare things that are a little out of the ordinary. These strips, seasoned with curry, are great for a family game night. —Betsy Baertlein, Mazeppa, Minnesota

Apple-Mustard Chicken Tenders

My husband says this dish is sweet and a little bit sassy, just like me. I like to use Granny Smith apples for a bit of tartness. Winesaps are great for this dish, too. —Linda Cifuentes, Mahomet, Illinois

Parmesan Chicken Nuggets

My 3-year-old went through a chicken-nuggets-and-french-fries-only stage, so I made these golden nuggets for him. Even the grown-ups like them! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama