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Juicy Baked Chicken Tenders with Yogurt Marinade Recipe

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4.4 from 25 reviews

These Juicy Baked Chicken Tenders are marinated in a tangy yogurt-based mixture infused with garlic, lemon, and aromatic spices, then baked to perfection for a tender and flavorful meal. Perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner or meal prep, they deliver moist, delicious chicken strips with a subtle char when broiled.

  • Total Time: 56 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Marinade

  • 1/2 cup plain yogurt
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely grated or minced
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (sweet, smoked, or a mix)
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

Finishing

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken strips: Pat the chicken breasts completely dry with paper towels. Slice each breast lengthwise into tender-sized strips about 0.5 to 0.75 inch thick. Ensure strips are a similar thickness; gently pound uneven pieces to even them out.
  2. Make the marinade: In a large bowl, combine the plain yogurt, grated garlic, lemon juice, salt, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, and dried oregano. Stir until the mixture is smooth and evenly blended.
  3. Marinate the chicken: Add the chicken strips to the bowl and toss to coat each piece thoroughly with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 1 to 4 hours, but no longer than 8 hours to avoid over-marinating.
  4. Preheat the oven: When ready to cook, set your oven to 425º F (220º C) for a conventional oven or 400º F (200º C) if using a fan-forced oven. Grease or line a large rimmed metal baking tray to prevent sticking.
  5. Arrange chicken on tray: Lift each chicken strip from the marinade and allow excess marinade to drip back into the bowl without wiping off the coating. Lay the strips in a single layer on the prepared tray, spacing them slightly apart. Use two trays if necessary to avoid overcrowding.
  6. Add olive oil coating: Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the chicken strips. Gently turn the pieces using tongs or clean hands to lightly coat them with oil while keeping the yogurt marinade intact.
  7. Bake the chicken: Bake the chicken tenders in the preheated oven for 12 to 16 minutes, turning once halfway through cooking. Start checking thinner pieces around 11 to 12 minutes. The chicken is cooked when the thickest piece reaches 165º F on an instant-read thermometer.
  8. Optional broil for color: For a golden color and slightly charred edges, place the tray under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes once baking is complete. Watch carefully as the yogurt coating can brown quickly.
  9. Rest and serve: Remove the chicken tenders from the oven and let them rest for 3 to 5 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy your juicy baked chicken tenders!

Notes

  • Do not marinate the chicken for longer than 8 hours to prevent the yogurt from breaking down the meat too much.
  • If the chicken strips vary significantly in thickness, pound them evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
  • Use a thermometer to check for doneness — the safe internal temperature for chicken is 165º F.
  • For crispier edges, the broiler step is recommended but optional.
  • This recipe works well with either conventional or fan (convection) ovens; adjust temperature accordingly.
  • Leftover chicken tenders can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • Author: ELLA
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 16 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://ellarecipe.com/juicy-baked-chicken-tenders-with-yogurt-marinade-recipe/