{Oven Baked} Chicken Caesar Tenders: These baked chicken tenders are marinated in caesar dressing and coated with parmesan bread crumbs! Yes.
I’m a major salad person.
Considering that my life lately looks like this, and cake has turned into an actual food group, it’s a great thing. Salad for dinner totally justifies the after dinner dessert special of cupcakes and ice cream.
It’s a thing.
But today is not a day for salad. Or, at least not a day for the leafy green kind. Today is a day for chicken caesar tenders.
Let’s be honest, I think we all know the three things that make a caesar salad the classic holy grail of salads: the crouton, the caesar, and the parm.
Aaaand I put all of those in (on?) a baked chicken strip. Yes, yes I did.
It was tastebud overload in the absolute best way possible.
I’m not sure there has ever been a better use of caesar salad dressing in the culinary caesar history than for this recipe.
After making these ranch chicken tenders, I’ve been dying to make more! And after craving a caesar salad the other day, inspiration struck.
What would happen if you marinated chicken tenders in caesar dressing, coated it in parmesan bread crumbs, and baked it in the oven?
The answer? Gold. You get pure caesar gold.
These homemade oven baked chicken tenders are made with a creamy caesar dressing! Think oven fried chicken tenders meets crispy chicken strips meets chicken caesar salad. These crisp oven baked chicken caesar tenders make a perfect, easy back to school recipe! Quick and easy dinner recipe for the win!
- 12 chicken tenders
- 1 cup creamy caesar dressing
- 1/4 cup Bisquick, or some other complete baking mix
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 4 Tbsp olive oil
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In a large zippered bag, pour in caesar dressing. Add in all 12 chicken tenders, zip up the bag (squeezing out all excess air), and shake or massage the bag until all tenders are coated with ranch dressing. Allow to marinate for 30 minutes to 60 minutes.
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Preheat oven to 475 degrees and line a large baking dish with foil (9x13 or 9x11 dish). Drizzle 2 Tbsp of oil over the bottom of the pan.
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In a large zippered bag, add Bisquick, parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, salt, and black pepper. Add marinated chicken tenders into the bag, zip up, and shake until all tenders are coated.
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Place chicken flat in the baking dish, making sure none of the tenders are touching each other. Drizzle 2 Tbsp of oil over the tops of the chicken.
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Bake for 8-10 minutes (or until the underside of the chicken is golden brown), then carefully flip the chicken over, and bake for another 9-10 minutes. Finish off by broiling until desired crispiness (I broiled mine for only 1 minute--they get crispy fast!)
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Serve with ranch, barbecue sauce, or any other sauce if desired.
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Enjoy!
Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says
This is awesome!! I have done chicken with ranch before, but my sister will love this idea of using Caesar dressing instead! So trying this!!
Beth says
The inner kid in me really really wants these!!! 🙂
Justine | Cooking and Beer says
Chicken caesar tenders?! My girl this is genius! Pinned!
Stephanie says
These sound so flavorful!! I need to try them!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
Chicken caesar salad is the best, and this one looks just perfect! Marinating in caesar dressing is brilliant!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
This is such a good idea, MIchelle! I love the caesar flavor in these babies! I think I would devour the entire batch, especially since they’re baked!
Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling says
Yum! I would love these on a salad!!!
Chelsea @chelseasmessyapron says
Yay! LOVE anything ceasar dressing! Especially some chicken – this sounds delicious!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
These look SO good! I’m sure the flavor is amazing with the Caesar dressing.
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector) says
These sound so delicious! I can’t wait to make them!!
Shannon says
Delightful! Made them tonight and they were a hit!
Colleen says
Can I marinate these overnight?
Michelle says
Hi Colleen, I have never tried marinating them overnight, but I do believe that would work just fine! Thanks!