Sometimes in life you do things you aren’t proud of. Like that time I went to Chick-Fil-A and ordered their chicken nuggets because I was starving. At the moment little chicken nuggets (bites of childhood happiness) dipped in BBQ sauce sounded absolutely tremendous. What a mistake that was! The chicken nuggets were coated in a ridiculous amount grease (I literally had butterfingers) and the breading wasn’t crispy, but rather soggy. The entire meal just tasted like hydrogenated oils. I felt like I was committing a crime against my heart.
BUT let me tell you something even more disturbing: I ate them anyway.
Ew… I know. Perhaps because it was one of those days where I was really hungry, stressed, and greasy chicken nuggets seemed to rationalize hating my job. All I wanted was a little bite of comfort…but even loading (literally coating) them with sauce didn’t provide that. They still tasted like lard. I mean, not that I know what lard tastes like or anything, but you get the point.
However that day got me thinking about how easy it is to roll through the drive through, sometimes just for that comfort meal… or for that childhood moment! But more than likely because your kid is chanting and/or crying that they are hungry, and oh look (!) you see a fast food joint and well, maybe you’re kinda hungry too… so you order a burger and fries. Now your kid is happy but you’re feeling guilty. It’s happened to me, and I’m not even a parent. Sometimes it’s easy to give in to what’s convenient.
I won’t lie, sometimes I really crave a small fry from McDonald’s. BUT I realize that they aren’t even that great (salt overload) and that quite frankly, I could probably cook something better tasting and better for me at home. And you can do it too! In 30 minutes! Just give the kid an apple to tie them over.
Soooo what do you think? Wanna make some crunchy chicken tenders with me or what?
Great! Let’s get started.
While rummaging through the pantry, I found a box of Honey Bunches of Oats, and started thinking to myself that they would be incredible on chicken; they’re sweet, crunchy and have a slightly nutty flavor from the almonds. Basically they are honey cornflakes! And who doesn’t want to put cereal on everything in sight? My thoughts exactly.
I knew I wanted my chicken tenders to be extremely moist because I really despise dry flavorless chicken. So, I marinated my chicken in nonfat plain greek yogurt and honey. If you want to make these honey mustard flavored all you have to do is all a little dijon mustard to your marinade.
Finally, I placed a couple of cups of the cereal into a ziploc bag, crushed them into tiny flakes, then placed my chicken in the bag and shook to coat. All I had to do was bake them until crispy and golden brown. See? Look at those perfectly cute little tenders.
Mmmmmmm tasty crunchy chicken tenders that don’t make me want to die. This is a miracle! You don’t understand how awesome it felt to not have a cup of grease on my fingers after eating these (Chick-Fil-A please take note).
BUT seriously I can’t tell you how mega good these are. The honey cornflake exterior is complimented with a slightly nutty crunch, and the chicken stays incredibly moist. I recommend dipping them in my homemade honey mustard sauce.
Let me know if you or your kids approve as much as I do.
Oh, and do you guys notice the new font on my blog? I kind of love it! I also added an easy print button for the recipes! Let me know if you like it.
More easy chicken recipes to try:
Cheesy Chicken Quinoa Enchilada Meatloaf Muffins
Baked Paleo Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Dip
Paleo Turmeric Chicken Meatballs with Green Tahini Sauce

Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day

Ingredients
- Olive or Canola Oil Cooking spray
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into vertical strips
- 2 cups plain nonfat greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard (if desired)
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 1/2 cups Cornflake or Honey Bunches of Oats (either with almonds or honey roasted) cereal, crushed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Rinse your chicken breasts strips and pat dry with a paper towel; set aside.
- Add greek yogurt, honey, salt, and dijon mustard (if desired) to a large bowl. Place chicken into bowl and toss to coat each in yogurt, cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, place 1/2 of the crushed cereal in a ziploc bag and add 1/2 of the yogurt covered chicken to the bag, shaking to coat.
- Remove and place on large greased baking sheet then repeat with second half of the cereal and chicken.
- Spray the chicken with cooking spray and bake for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked. Serves 4.
19 comments
Cooking these for tea tonight – they look yummm
Thanks 🙂
Those look so good!
i used to make these by dipping the chicken into
ranch then dipping them into cornflakes! definitely a healthy alternative!!
I made these, they freeze after being cooked amazingly, I had made some zucchini chips and crushed those as well for a salty edge to them.
Awesome! Making these for lunch today. Do you by chance know how many calories per serving and how many is a serving?
What is the nutritional info on these?
Could you use maple syrup instead of honey?
Yes, that should work!
Looks yummy! But if I’m lactose intolerant and can’t use the yogurt, what do you recommend I do? Just exclude it or replace it with something else??
Use soy yogurt instead
Hi there – what do you suggest we do if we don’t have the oil spray? Just drizzle the oil instead? Looking forward to making this. Thanks!
These sound so yummy! ‘I’ve been looking for a homemade juicy chicken tender recipe to make in my new air fryer. Do you think this recipe would work? What temperatur and how long do you suggest (considering there are differences in Air Fryer’s out there). Thanks!
Hi Jill! I haven’t tried using an air fryer so I’m not 100% sure. Let me know if you do, and check out these new chicken nuggets, too: https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/crispy-baked-chicken-nuggets/
Just what I was looking for. But do you have nutrition facts for this recipe? thanks
SJ
Sorry, we didn’t calculate it for this one because it’s an older recipe. Feel free to copy/paste the ingredients list into an online nutrition calculator (just google that!) 🙂
Hi! Do you have any favorite dipping sauces you’d recommend to go with this? (:
Hi! I recommend my homemade honey mustard sauce!
Very moist – incredible- I never post but this is an awesome recipe. As a chef for over 40 years I value great recipes and this is one.
Thanks
Amazing! So glad you love this one, and thanks so much for your comment!