Description
Delicious and crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders baked to golden perfection. This kid-friendly and easy-to-make recipe features juicy chicken tenders coated in a flavorful mixture of Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, and garlic seasoning. Perfect as a main course for a quick dinner or snack, served with your favorite dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 1 ½ lbs chicken tenders
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Egg Wash
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
For Baking
- Cooking spray or olive oil for baking
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Prepare Coating: In a shallow bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper; mix well to evenly distribute the seasonings.
- Make Egg Wash: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until fully blended; this will help the coating stick to the chicken tenders.
- Coat Chicken: Dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated, then dredge it in the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating thoroughly.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated chicken tenders evenly spaced on the prepared baking sheet to promote even cooking.
- Add Oil: Lightly spray or drizzle the tops of the chicken tenders with cooking spray or olive oil to help them crisp up while baking.
- Bake the Tenders: Bake the chicken tenders in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure both sides become golden brown and the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Optional Crisping: For extra crispiness, broil the tenders for an additional 1 to 2 minutes at the end of baking, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Serving: Serve the garlic Parmesan chicken tenders warm with your favorite dipping sauces such as ranch, marinara, or honey mustard for a delicious meal.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, finish by broiling the chicken tenders for 1–2 minutes after baking.
- Alternatively, you can air-fry the tenders at 400°F for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- These chicken tenders freeze well, making them ideal for meal prep or quick weeknight dinners.
- Ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F for food safety.
- Use fresh or freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3–4 tenders
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 570mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
