Description
Lemon Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders bring zesty, cheesy goodness straight to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Crispy on the outside and tender inside, these chicken strips guarantee smiles around your meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Flavoring and Coating:
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 4 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Nonstick cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Cut 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breasts into uniform strips about 1-inch wide, seasoning each with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Mix 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 4 minced garlic cloves, and a pinch of salt in a shallow mixing bowl.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice over the chicken strips, ensuring each piece gets moistened.
- Roll each chicken strip in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly so the coating adheres completely to the meat.
- Arrange the coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking dish without overlapping.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes until the exterior turns golden brown and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 3 minutes, then sprinkle with an extra tablespoon of fresh lemon juice for a bright finishing touch.
Notes
- Swap panko for almond flour to make these chicken tenders gluten-free and lower in carbs.
- Fresh garlic delivers much better flavor than pre-minced versions, so take a moment to mince it yourself.
- Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after baking to help keep the meat juicy and prevent the coating from becoming soggy.
- Check internal temperature reaches 165°F with a meat thermometer for perfect food safety and tenderness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 49 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg