If you’re craving a snack that’s crispy, flavorful, and downright addictive, I’ve got just the thing: my Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders Recipe. These baked tenders bring all the beloved flavors of an everything bagel right onto your plate—garlic, onion, sesame, and poppy seeds, all in one irresistible coating!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I absolutely love how these chicken tenders take a simple classic and turn it into a flavor-packed, crowd-pleasing meal or snack. They’re perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, and honestly—they’re good enough to eat by themselves!
- Bold Flavor Boost: Everything bagel seasoning adds a savory, crunchy twist that’s impossible to resist.
- Healthier Cooking Method: Baking instead of frying keeps these tenders crispy without excess oil.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably have most of what you need right in your pantry already.
- Family-Friendly: They’re juicy on the inside and kid-approved on the outside.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Before you get started, a quick shopping tip: look for a good quality everything bagel seasoning blend, or make your own using garlic flakes, onion bits, sesame, and poppy seeds. The key to success here is a nice balance of flavors in your breading to get that classic everything bagel vibe on your chicken.

- Chicken breast tenders: Tender cuts that cook evenly and stay juicy.
- Egg: Helps the coating stick perfectly to the chicken.
- Milk: Adds moisture and ensures the egg mixture coats the chicken well.
- Flour: Forms the base of the breading to give a nice crust.
- Plain bread crumbs: Adds texture and helps create that crispy coating (panko is a great alternative for extra crunch).
- Everything bagel seasoning blend: The star ingredient—loads of savory goodness like garlic, onions, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds.
- Paprika: Brings a subtle smoky flavor and lovely color.
- Olive oil spray: Helps crisp the tenders in the oven without excess oil.
- Dipping sauces of choice: Your favorite dips like ranch, honey mustard, or spicy mayo make a great finishing touch.
Make It Your Way
One of the best parts about this Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you want to tweak the seasoning or try different coatings, there’s plenty of room to customize these crispy tenders to suit your taste buds.
- Variation: I once swapped plain bread crumbs for panko crumbs for an extra crunchy bite, and it took the texture up a notch without losing any of the bold everything bagel flavor. Give it a try if you love crispy edges!
- Make it Gluten-Free: Simply substitute the flour and bread crumbs with gluten-free alternatives. The tenders still bake up beautifully and all the everything bagel seasoning goodness shines through.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked chipotle powder to the dry mix for a subtle heat that complements the savory and nutty seasoning perfectly.
- Fresh Herb Boost: Stir in some finely chopped fresh parsley or dill into the breading mixture to brighten the flavor and add a fresh note to each bite.
- Seasonal Spin: During fall, I like adding a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to the coating for a cozy touch that pairs surprisingly well with the savory spices.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Workspace
Start by heating your oven to a toasty 425 degrees Fahrenheit. This high heat will help the tenders develop that perfect golden crust. While the oven warms up, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil — trust me, it saves you a lot of scrubbing later and keeps those tenders from sticking.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Wet Ingredients
In a mixing bowl, whisk one large egg with ¼ cup of milk until combined. This mixture acts like a glue, helping the coating stick to each tender perfectly. Set this bowl aside as you prepare the breading mix.
Step 3: Combine the Coating Ingredients
In a separate bowl or plate, stir together ½ cup flour, ¼ cup plain bread crumbs (or panko for extra crunch), 1½ tablespoons everything bagel seasoning, and 1 teaspoon paprika. This flavorful blend is what gives these tenders their irresistible savory kick.
Step 4: Double Coat the Chicken Tenders
Now for the fun part! Take each chicken tender and first roll it in the dry breading mixture. Next, dip it into the egg and milk mixture, letting any excess drip off. Finally, roll it again in the breading blend for an extra thick, flavorful coat. This double coating locks in juiciness and adds serious crunch.
Step 5: Arrange on the Baking Sheet and Spray
Place each double-coated chicken tender evenly on your prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray the tenders with 1 to 2 teaspoons of olive oil spray. This step is the secret behind that golden, crispy crust without adding too much extra oil.
Step 6: Bake, Flip, and Finish Baking
Bake the tenders for 10 minutes on the first side — you’ll start to see them turn a gorgeous golden brown. Then, carefully flip each tender over, spray again with olive oil spray, and bake for another 8 minutes. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit and is beautifully crisp on the outside.
Step 7: Rest and Serve with Your Favorite Dipping Sauces
Once out of the oven, let the chicken tenders rest for a couple of minutes to keep them juicy and tender. Serve warm alongside dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or spicy mayo to complement the bold everything bagel flavors. Each bite will be crispy, juicy, and utterly delicious!
Top Tip
These tips will help you get the crispiest, juiciest Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders every time, while making the cooking process easier and more enjoyable.
- Double Coating Delight: I found that dipping the tenders in the breading mixture, then egg, then breading again creates that perfect crunchy crust packed with everything bagel seasoning flavor.
- Olive Oil Spray Magic: Lightly spraying the tenders before baking helped me get that golden crispness, without needing deep frying or excess oil.
- Temperature Check is Key: Using a meat thermometer to make sure each piece hits 165˚F ensured the chicken was juicy and safe to eat every time.
- Let Them Rest: I always give the tenders a few minutes to rest after baking to lock in the juices and avoid dryness.
How to Serve Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders Recipe

Garnishes
Fresh herbs like chopped parsley or chives add a lovely pop of color and freshness. A light sprinkle of extra everything bagel seasoning before serving can boost that signature flavor. A squeeze of lemon juice also gives a bright, zesty kick.
Side Dishes
Serve these tender bites with crisp garden salads, roasted veggies, or simple oven fries. Creamy coleslaw or a crunchy cucumber salad also complement the bold seasoning beautifully. For something heartier, mashed potatoes or a warm grain bowl work wonders.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keeping them well sealed preserves their juicy texture and seasoning punch.
Freezing
To freeze, lay the baked tenders on a parchment-lined tray and freeze until firm (about 1-2 hours). Then transfer to a freezer-safe airtight container or bag. They’ll keep for up to 2 months frozen without loss of flavor.
Reheating
For best results, reheat tenders in a 375˚F oven on a baking sheet for about 8-10 minutes until warm and crispy again. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that crunchy texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You can easily make your own blend by combining garlic powder, dried onion flakes, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and a bit of salt. This mix captures the iconic flavor to give your chicken tenders that same delicious punch.
Yes! Just make sure to thaw them completely and pat dry before breading so the coating sticks well and bakes up crispy.
Baking at 425˚F with olive oil spray gives crispy, juicy tenders with less mess and fewer calories than frying. It’s a healthier, hands-off method that still delivers great flavor.
Use a meat thermometer to check if the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This ensures your chicken is safe to eat and perfectly juicy.
Final Thoughts
Making this Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders Recipe has been such a joy in my kitchen — it’s quick, easy, and delivers big flavor that everyone loves. Whether it’s a casual dinner or game day snack, these tenders feel special without any fuss. Give them a try, and I’m sure they’ll become a regular favorite in your meal rotation!
Print
Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Everything Bagel Chicken Tenders are classic baked chicken tenders elevated with the bold flavors and textures of everything bagel seasoning, including garlic, onions, sesame seeds, and poppy seeds. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, they make for a perfect flavorful and fun meal or snack.
Ingredients
Chicken and Coating
- 1½ pounds chicken breast tenders
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ cup plain bread crumbs (can use pork panko crumbs)
- 1½ tablespoons everything bagel seasoning blend
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil spray
For Serving
- Dipping sauces of choice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the chicken tenders.
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil and set it aside for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg and milk until fully combined; set this mixture aside.
- Mix Dry Coating: In another bowl or plate, combine the flour, bread crumbs, everything bagel seasoning, and paprika thoroughly.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each chicken tender first into the breading mixture, then into the egg mixture allowing excess to drip off, and finally roll it again in the breading mixture for a double coat.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the double-coated chicken tenders evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet.
- Add Olive Oil Spray: Lightly spray olive oil over the chicken tenders to help them crisp up during baking.
- Bake First Side: Bake the tenders in the preheated oven for 10 minutes until they begin to brown.
- Flip and Continue Baking: Flip the chicken tenders, spray again with olive oil, and bake for an additional 8 minutes or until they are golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the tenders rest for a couple of minutes to retain their juices. Serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
- For extra crunch, you can swap plain bread crumbs with panko breadcrumbs.
- Olive oil spray helps the coating crisp up without adding excess oil.
- Make sure chicken tenders reach an internal temperature of 165˚F for safety.
- Try serving with ranch, honey mustard, or spicy mayo for dipping sauces.
- If you can't find everything bagel seasoning, customize your own with garlic powder, onion flakes, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and salt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg






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