Description
Crispy, golden, and packed with bold garlic-Parmesan flavor, these baked chicken tenders deliver comfort without the mess of frying. They bake to perfection with a crunchy coating, juicy interior, and simple ingredients—ideal for family dinners, meal prep, parties, or anytime you crave a satisfying, easy meal.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Tenders
1 ½ pounds chicken breast tenders (or sliced chicken breasts)
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
½ cup regular breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons melted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil (for drizzling or greasing the pan)
Optional Dipping Sauces
Marinara sauce
Ranch dressing
Garlic aioli
Honey mustard
Instructions
Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or grease lightly with olive oil.
Prepare the Breading Station
In one shallow bowl, whisk together eggs and milk.
In another bowl, combine Parmesan, panko, regular breadcrumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Bread the Chicken
Dip each chicken tender into the egg mixture, letting excess drip off. Coat completely in the breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture, pressing gently to help the coating stick.
Arrange on the Baking Sheet
Lay the tenders on the prepared baking sheet. Leave space between each piece. Drizzle or brush with melted butter and olive oil for extra crispiness.
Bake
Bake for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway through. Cook until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Rest & Serve
Allow the tenders to rest for 5 minutes, then serve with your favorite dipping sauces.
Notes
For extra crunch, broil the tenders for 1–2 minutes at the end of baking.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
If using thicker tenders, add 2–3 minutes to the baking time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 2–3 tenders)
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 165 mg
Keywords: baked chicken tenders, garlic parmesan chicken, crispy chicken tenders, oven-baked chicken, kid-friendly chicken recipe