Description
Crispy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders make dinner feel like a celebration with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Crunchy, cheesy, and totally addictive, these tenders will become your new go-to weeknight meal that keeps everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound chicken tenders
Main Coating:
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Seasonings and Binders:
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to a sizzling 425°F and cover a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Combine 1 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 cup panko breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a shallow mixing bowl.
- Whisk 2 eggs in a separate bowl to create a smooth, uniform coating for your chicken.
- Dunk each chicken tender into the egg mixture, ensuring complete coverage for maximum crispiness.
- Roll the egg-coated chicken in the Parmesan breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to help the coating stick thoroughly.
- Arrange the coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece for even browning.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil or melted butter over the tenders to enhance golden color and crunch.
- Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, carefully flipping the tenders halfway through cooking.
- Check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and has a beautiful golden-brown exterior.
- Remove from the oven and let rest for 2-3 minutes before serving with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Always use fresh Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and crispiest coating.
- Pat chicken tenders completely dry before coating to help breadcrumbs stick better and create maximum crunch.
- For a gluten-free version, swap panko breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers.
- Letting the coated chicken rest for 5 minutes before baking helps the breading set and become extra crispy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 385 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg