If there’s one thing we can ALL agree on, it’s that chicken tenders never disappoint.
They’re crispy, juicy, and downright addictive.
But let’s be real—most of the time, we just grab a plate, dunk them in our go-to sauce, and call it dinner (because hey, no one’s judging a ranch obsession here).
But you and I both know that chicken tenders deserve better.
That’s exactly why we put together 16 ridiculously good chicken tender dinner ideas—because why settle for basic when you can turn them into something amazing?
Imagine your tenders smothered in buffalo sauce and melty cheese for the ultimate wrap, layered over pasta in a creamy Alfredo bake, or tossed in a sweet and spicy honey garlic glaze that tastes better than takeout.
Yep, we’re about to make dinner WAY more exciting.
And here’s the best part—we know life gets busy, so these ideas work with fresh, frozen, homemade, or store-bought tenders.
Got a bag of frozen ones in the freezer? We’ve got a recipe for that. Want to make them from scratch? We’ve got you covered.
So grab your favorite tenders, and let’s turn them into a dinner you won’t forget!
16 Chicken Tender Dinner Ideas
Let’s be honest—chicken tenders are the ultimate dinner lifesaver.
They cook up fast, taste amazing, and work with just about anything.
Whether you’re in the mood for something cheesy, spicy, saucy, or comforting, there’s a way to take those crispy tenders and turn them into a meal that actually feels exciting (and not just something you threw together last minute).
We’ve rounded up 16 delicious ways to serve chicken tenders that go beyond basic dipping.
These aren’t just ideas—these are game-changing dinners that’ll have everyone at the table ASKING for seconds.
Hot Honey Buffalo Chicken Wraps
"These hot honey buffalo chicken wrap are so crispy and crunchy and delicious! Baked crispy chicken tenders, hot honey buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing, cheese and crisp romaine all wrapped in a warm tortilla!"
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Parmesan Chicken Tenders with Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
"These crispy parmesan chicken tenders are fried and baked in cheesy breading, then served with a side of homemade buttermilk ranch dressing!"
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Honey Garlic Chicken Tenders {Paleo}
"These paleo honey garlic chicken tenders have a crispy grain free “breading” and a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce that’s full of flavor!"
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Cheesy Chicken Tenders Parmesan
"Quick and easy to prepare, this Baked Chicken Tenderloin Parmesan is a family-friendly weeknight dish, prepared with just a handful of ingredients. One of my favorite chicken tenderloin recipes!"
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Crunchy Chicken Taco Fingers (baked!)
"Crunchy, oven baked chicken taco fingers with a Mexican seasoned crumb, for stuffing in tacos. Or not. Eat them any which way you please!"
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Cheesy BBQ Chicken Sliders
"These easy cheesy BBQ Chicken Sliders are delicious, quick, and ultra simple to make with just 15 min of work!"
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Hot Honey Chicken Caesar Salad
"Check out this delicious Hot Honey Chicken Caesar Salad recipe featuring our Ultimate Caesar Salad Kit for a boldly sweet & savory spin on an old favorite."
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Loaded Chicken Nachos
"These Loaded Chicken Nachos are absolutely LOADED with crispy chips, tender veggies, flavorful chicken, beans, corn, and of course, LOADS of cheese."
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Honey Mustard Chicken Avocado Sandwich with Tahini Ranch
"Honey Mustard Chicken Avocado Sandwich with Tahini Ranch: The flavors are light for warmer weather, but it’s also super hearty…and so good!"
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Creamy Garlic Chicken Pasta
"Winner winner chicken dinner: this creamy chicken pasta is sure to become a weeknight dinner staple: quick and easy and packed with glorious garlicky flavor (garlic lovers, rejoice!)With a delightfully creamy sauce made with a surprisingly small amount of cream, this fast, filling, and flavorful pasta recipe is the kind of recipe you’ll want"
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Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas
"Buffalo chicken quesadillas are an easy way to serve up a quick dinner with a lot of flavor. Serve them with Buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, or sour cream."
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Sweet & Spicy Baked Asian Chicken Tenders
"Super crispy baked chicken tenders covered in a sweet and spicy asian inspired sauce along with garlic roasted broccolini and brown basmati rice."
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Fried Chicken Tenders and Waffles
"Nothing says soul food like Fried Chicken and Waffles. Well-seasoned crispy chicken fried to golden brown perfection with sweet waffles drizzled with"
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Sweet Chili Chicken Stir Fry – Make Ahead Freezer Meal
"Mix up your meal prep routine with this make ahead recipe for Sweet Chili Chicken Stir Fry! Customize with any veggies of your choice."
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4 Cheese Mac with Honey Pepper Chicken
"If you love Applebee’s 4 cheese mac and cheese with honey pepper chicken, you absolutely have to try this homemade version that tastes even better!"
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Blue Cheese-Stuffed Potatoes With Buffalo Chicken Tenders
"A delicious, and time friendly dish perfect for movie night or a sports weekend!! (Or anytime you have the craving for buffalo sauce and blue cheese)."
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