Chicken Tenders Are Even Easier To Make With A '60s Boxed Ingredient

A beloved classic, chicken tenders are made from a specific part of the bird called the pectoralis minor, located on the underside of the breast. They're also often associated with childhood nostalgia, and there are countless recipes for them that call for breading or batter. However, these methods usually involve several steps, like dredging in flour, dipping in an egg wash, and coating with breadcrumbs. This is why many people opt to order them at restaurants rather than make them at home. However, one method dating back to the 1960s makes quick work of the process.

Introduced in 1965 by General Foods, Shake 'n Bake was a way to make Southern-style fried chicken quickly and easily in the oven. It consisted of breading and seasonings packaged with a large plastic bag to which you'd add your chicken pieces. You'd then give the bag a vigorous shake to coat the chicken in the seasoned breading before laying the pieces on a baking sheet and popping them into the oven, which is why the product has the name it does. It did away with the multistep process, deep fryer, and oil, making it a cinch to get crispy, golden-brown meat on the table.

The product didn't go away, though, and is now sold by Kraft Heinz. The plastic shaker bag is no longer included in the package, and the seasoned coating now comes in many different flavors, from Buffalo to ranch. But don't let that deter you — just toss the mix into a large bag, add your chicken, give it a good shake, and this old-school kitchen convenience will lead to crispy chicken tenders in a jiffy with little cleanup.

Shake 'n Bake already has everything you need to create great chicken tenders, but if you have a little extra time, there are things you can do to make them even better. The breast meat that tenders come from can dry out easily, and one way to combat this is with a brine, even if you're short on time. Many basic formulas call for roughly one cup of kosher salt per gallon of water, but you don't need to stop there. You can include all sorts of herbs and spices, along with vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery, to add flavor.

A popular Southern technique for making fried chicken involves marinating the poultry in buttermilk, which helps tenderize the meat. You can also opt for other liquids to marinate your tenders before giving them the Shake 'n Bake treatment, like beer, wine, or stock.

And while the convenient Kraft Heinz product already includes seasoning, there are things you can add to the mix to give it a major flavor boost. Chili powder will give your tenders a bold, spicy flavor, making them a great addition to tacos or burritos. You can also add some garam masala to create an Indian-inspired preparation, or take your chicken tenders to the Mediterranean with some garlic powder and za'atar, a spice blend. Just remember not to add too much salt when doctoring up your recipe, since it's already included in the seasoning.