Kid-Friendly Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Tenders

Don Lalo

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Kid-Friendly Homemade Shake and Bake Chicken Tenders

Welcome to the Shake-n-Bake Station

Introduce your kids to cooking with this fun and simple homemade chicken tenders recipe.

Cooking at home is more than just preparing meals—it’s an opportunity to teach children valuable life skills, build confidence, and have fun as a family. Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics highlights that involving children in meal preparation can lead to healthier eating habits and increased willingness to try new foods (https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/). With kid friendly chicken breast recipes, even the pickiest eaters can get excited about dinnertime.

Homemade chicken tenders are the perfect place to start. Kids get hands-on with the ingredients, learn about nutrition, and experience the joy of tasting a meal they helped create. For families interested in more hands-on learning, check out our Montessori-inspired cooking activities for more ideas.

Children cooking chicken tenders together

Ingredients and Preparation: Kid-Friendly Chicken Tenders

Gather these simple ingredients to make chicken tenders your kids will love.

When searching for chicken breast recipes for kids, simplicity and nutrition matter most. Here’s what you’ll need:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup whole wheat or regular breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese (optional)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
1 egg (for coating)

Tips on Choosing Chicken Breasts: Select fresh, boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Look for meat that is pale pink and firm to the touch, which indicates freshness and better texture for tenders (USDA Food Safety, https://www.fsis.usda.gov/).

Suggestions for Healthier Alternatives:

Use whole wheat breadcrumbs for more fiber.
Substitute panko crumbs for extra crunch.
For a dairy-free version, omit parmesan.
Bake instead of fry to reduce added fats.

According to the USDA, baked homemade chicken tenders contain significantly less saturated fat than their fried counterparts, making them a heart-healthier choice for families (https://www.myplate.gov/recipes).

Explore more healthy recipes for kids to expand your child’s palate and nutrition.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Homemade Shake-n-Bake Mix

Follow these steps to create a homemade shake-n-bake mix that adds flavor and fun.

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Slice the chicken breasts into even strips, about 1-inch wide.
Pat dry with paper towels for better breading adhesion.
Crack the egg into a shallow bowl and whisk lightly.

Step 2: Mix the Breadcrumbs and Spices

In a large resealable bag or bowl, combine breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
Add olive oil or melted butter to help the coating stick.

According to culinary educator Chef Maria Keller, “Letting kids help measure spices and mix the breading teaches math and sensory skills while making the process more fun” (https://familycooking.org).

Step 3: Shake and Bake the Chicken

Dip each chicken strip into the egg, then place it in the bag with the breadcrumb mixture.
Seal the bag and let your child shake until the chicken is well coated.
Arrange the coated strips on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).

For more hands-on activities, consider enrolling in kids cooking classes to boost culinary confidence and teamwork.

Making Cooking Educational and Fun

Turn cooking into a learning experience by incorporating educational elements.

Teach Kids About Measuring Ingredients:
Encourage children to use measuring cups and spoons. This introduces concepts of volume, fractions, and accuracy. According to a Harvard Family Research Project, early exposure to cooking can improve children’s math and reading skills (https://www.hfrp.org/).

Incorporate Math by Counting and Sorting:
Have kids count chicken strips or sort spices by color and texture. This builds counting, comparison, and categorization abilities.

Discuss Where Food Comes From:
Talk about how chicken is raised and how grains become breadcrumbs. These conversations lay foundations for food literacy and environmental awareness.

“Cooking with children is an ideal way to foster early STEM learning,” says Dr. Linda Carson, Professor of Nutrition at West Virginia University (https://nutrition.wvu.edu/).

For more structured activities, explore our cooking lessons for kids.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

Enhance your chicken tenders with these serving ideas and variations.

Pair with Kid-Friendly Sides:

Sweet potato fries
Steamed broccoli or carrots
Brown rice or quinoa
Fresh fruit salad

Ideas for Dipping Sauces:

Honey mustard
Yogurt ranch
Barbecue sauce
Hummus

Variations Using Different Spices:

Add Italian seasoning for a Mediterranean twist.
Use taco seasoning for a Tex-Mex flavor.
Sprinkle in a pinch of curry powder for an adventurous touch.

Flavor pairings from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics suggest introducing new spices in small amounts to expand children’s palates (https://www.eatright.org/).

Discover more kid-friendly side dishes to round out your meal.

Conclusion: The Joy of Cooking Together

Cooking chicken tenders can be a fun, educational, and delicious experience for both kids and parents.

Preparing meals as a family strengthens bonds, fosters independence, and encourages lifelong healthy eating habits. By exploring recipes together, children develop creativity and essential skills they’ll use for years to come. Keep experimenting with new ingredients and techniques, and don’t hesitate to try more recipes that make cooking with kids rewarding.

For more inspiration, check out our collection of no-bake recipes for kids and enjoy every step of your culinary journey together.