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Give school lunch a boost with leftover chicken tenders!

If you’ve ever wondered how to pack chicken tenders for lunch, you’re in the right place! Learn how to keep them flavorful and fresh all day with the tips in this post.

small lunchbox with four baked chicken tenders, and snow peas. Smaller containers hold dip and fresh berries.

School Lunch with Chicken Strips

Anything that can be dipped is an automatic “YES” with my kids, and chicken strips top the list. They’re quick to prep when using leftover or frozen tenders and pack surprisingly well for later. Add fruit and veggies, and boom—school lunch, sorted.

My teens love mixing up the dips–BBQ one day, ranch the next (my youngest is still strictly ketchup). If your crew loves to dip, you’ve got to also try this guacamole and protein bento and these gooey delicious grilled cheese dippers with tomato sauce!

What You Need for This School Lunch

All you need for this easy lunch are store-bought or leftover homemade chicken strips plus your favorite fruits and veggies. Check the recipe card for exact measurements:

Dipping Sauce: think BBQ sauce, creamy ranch, ketchup—whatever your kids love most!
Chicken Tenders: either homemade or store-bought frozen tenders will work perfectly and provide a protein power punch that will keep kids energized!
Strawberries: sweet and healthy! Try blueberries or grapes for a swap.
Celery and Carrot Sticks: adds crunch and nutrition. You can also add refreshing cucumber slices.

image: small lunchbox with four baked chicken tenders, and snow peas. Smaller containers hold dip and fresh berries.

How to Pack Chicken Strips for School Lunch

Here are some simple tips to make sure your chicken strips stay crunchy and everything stays fresh and delicious in the lunchbox:

Prep the Ingredients
Wash and dry the celery and carrots; slice into sticks. Reheat the chicken tenders in the microwave or toaster oven, and let them cool before assembling lunch.
Assemble
Use a compartmentalized lunch container to keep ingredients separate. Place chicken tenders in one section, veggies in another, and fruit in a third. This will prevent flavors from mixing and ingredients from getting soggy.
Dipping sauce
Pack dipping sauce in a small leak-proof dip container and keep it apart to prevent spills.
Pack it for school
If you are making this lunch ahead of time, keep it refrigerated along with any healthy sides until you’re ready to leave for school.

How to Pack Dip for Chicken Tenders

Dips make chicken tenders extra fun, but no one loves a lunchbox mess! Packing the sauce in a small, leak-proof container with a tight lid is your best bet to prevent spills.

School Lunch Packing Tips for Chicken Strips

Keep these chicken strips lunchbox-ready by following these additional tips:

Use the right container
The right container will make the difference between squished and soggy, or fresh and amazing! These durable bento containers with compartments are the best way to keep ingredients like crispy tenders and juicy fruit from mixing.

Cool before packing
Wait until the chicken tenders have completely cooled before packing them in a lunch container to prevent condensation from making them mushy. Don’t worry, they will still be delicious at room temperature!

Keep it cool
Add an ice pack to ensure everything stays fresh and safe to eat by lunchtime. This is especially important if lunch bags are kept outside for a long time.

Include a treat
Don’t forget a healthy dessert to round out this lunch! Avocado chocolate pudding or homemade strawberry fruit leather makes lunch feel special without loading up on the usual sugar.

More School Lunches with Chicken Tenders

My kids love finding chicken in their lunchbox! We make a big batch of tenders for dinner and then use them throughout the week for a crispy chicken wrap or low-carb chicken strip salad. Or swap them into this nugget lunchable for a more teen-friendly lunch!