Description
Savory garlic parmesan crispy baked chicken tenders deliver restaurant-quality crunch without deep-frying hassle. Golden-brown perfection awaits with this simple, crowd-pleasing recipe that brings gourmet flavor right to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound chicken tenders (or chicken breast, cut into strips)
Breading and Cheese:
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Seasonings and Binding:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
- Cooking spray
Serving Options:
- Ranch dressing
- Marinara sauce
Instructions
- Prepare workstation by setting up three distinct shallow dishes: one for seasoned breadcrumb mixture, another for flour, and the third for egg wash.
- Thoroughly blend panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in first dish to create a uniform coating mixture.
- Whisk eggs and olive oil together in the third dish until smoothly integrated.
- Meticulously coat each chicken tender first in flour, ensuring complete and even coverage while shaking off excess.
- Immediately transfer floured tender into egg mixture, allowing complete submersion to help breadcrumb mixture adhere effectively.
- Roll coated tender generously in seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure thorough and consistent coverage.
- Position chicken tenders strategically on parchment-lined baking sheet, maintaining adequate spacing to promote optimal crispiness.
- Lightly mist tenders with cooking spray to enhance golden-brown exterior and promote uniform browning.
- Roast in preheated 400°F oven, rotating tray midway through cooking process to ensure even heat distribution.
- Verify doneness by checking internal temperature reaches 165°F and exterior appears crisp and golden.
- Allow tenders to rest briefly before serving, garnishing with fresh parsley and accompanying with preferred dipping sauce.
Notes
- Prep Ahead: Marinate chicken tenders in buttermilk for 2-3 hours before breading to enhance tenderness and flavor infusion.
- Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Crispy Texture Hack: Use a wire rack on the baking sheet to allow air circulation, ensuring maximum crunchiness on all sides.
- Flavor Boost: Add dried herbs like thyme or oregano to the breadcrumb mixture for an extra aromatic kick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg