Crispy Turmeric Chicken Tenders (Printable)

Golden chicken tenders with turmeric, cumin, and paprika. Crispy, flavorful, and ready in 35 minutes.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken tenders or chicken breast, cut into strips

→ Marinade

02 - 2 tablespoons plain yogurt or dairy-free alternative
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 0.75 teaspoon salt

→ Breading

10 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
11 - 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
12 - 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
13 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
14 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

→ Cooking

15 - Olive oil spray or 3 tablespoons neutral oil for baking or shallow frying

# Directions:

01 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together yogurt, olive oil, turmeric, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt until well combined.
02 - Add chicken strips to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor depth.
03 - Preheat oven to 425°F if baking, or heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat if frying.
04 - In a shallow dish, combine panko breadcrumbs, all-purpose flour, turmeric, salt, and black pepper.
05 - Remove each marinated chicken strip and dredge in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure even adherence.
06 - Place breaded chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Lightly spray with oil. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
07 - If frying, cook chicken strips in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until crispy and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
08 - Serve hot with preferred dipping sauce.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The turmeric gives the chicken a gorgeous golden glow and a warm, earthy flavor that feels both cozy and exciting.
  • The panko crust stays incredibly crispy whether you bake or fry, and reheats beautifully without going soggy.
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or last minute guests.
  • Kids and adults alike devour these tenders, and you can easily adjust the spice level to suit your crowd.
02 -
  • Do not skip the wire rack when baking, it lets air circulate around the chicken so the bottom stays as crispy as the top.
  • If your breading is not sticking, pat the chicken dry after marinating and press the crumbs firmly onto each piece.
  • Let the chicken rest for a minute after cooking so the juices redistribute and the crust sets up even crunchier.
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 75 degrees Celsius (165 degrees Fahrenheit) for perfectly cooked chicken every time.
  • Toast the panko in a dry skillet for a few minutes before breading if you want an even deeper golden color and nuttier flavor.
  • Season the dipping sauce generously, because a bold sauce makes the crispy, spiced chicken taste even better.
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