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Delicious chicken tenders breaded in a garlic parmesan panko mixture and baked to crispy perfection! This is a meal the entire family will love!
My kids love chicken! Simple recipes like this one and my chicken tender recipe is perfect for those quick lunch meals or a snack for after school.
Homemade Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders
We are a huge fan of chicken tenders and breaded chicken for our family.
The “special ingredient” in these tenders is the Panko. Instead of breadcrumbs or just flour I use panko. Panko is generally used in Japanese cooking and it can be found in the grocery store in the Asian foods aisle. I definitely prefer panko to regular breadcrumbs because of its lighter and more delicate texture. It results in a more crispy and crunchy end product than breadcrumbs. Especially when you are baking chicken instead of frying; the panko makes a huge difference!
To try our absolute FAVORITE dipping sauce for these tenders, click here to check that out! 🙂
Chicken Tenders Ingredients:
- Chicken Tenders: Boneless chicken breasts are easiest to trim and prepare.
- White Flour: This coasts the chicken.
- Salt and Pepper: Seasoning and for taste
- Olive Oil: Creates a crispy outside when baked.
- Garlic: Minced garlic is best and adds flavor.
- Basil: Dried basil brings a subtle seasoning everyone loves.
- Paprika: If you love a little spice add this to your tenders.
- Panko: Gives it the breaded thickness and crunch on the outside.
- Parmesan Cheese: MMM! Cheese is the best on these chicken tenders.
- Fry Sauce: My famous fry sauce is delicious and dip-able. SO good!
How to Make Chicken Tenders:
- Prepare chicken: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Trim the fat from the tenders.
- Dip chicken: Set out three bowls. Fill one with the white flour, about 1/4 teaspoon pepper, & about 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir,
- Stir together: Fill the next bowl with the olive oil or butter and minced garlic.
- Add seasoning: Place the basil, paprika, Panko, and parmesan cheese in the last. Stir. Place the tenders in the flour mixture, then the garlic oil, then the panko mixture making sure to evenly and thoroughly coat each piece.
- Cook chicken tenders: Place the tenders on the sheet and then place in the oven. Cook for 15 minutes and then flip the tenders and cook for another 5-8 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
- Serve: Remove and enjoy immediately with the dipping sauce!
Dipping Sauces:
We love to dip our chicken tenders into every type of sauce. I personally love rich and creamy sauces where my kids love the sweet and spicy sauces. It is so fun to mix and match sauces too and create new favorites. I found this seasoned honey mustard sauce in the photos at our local grocery store near the deli section. So fun!
Here are a few of our favorites to eat with these chicken tenders.
- Ketchup: Always a classic
- Honey Mustard: A little sweet and tangy
- Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce: A hint of spice but rich and smooth.
- Fry Sauce: Family favorite and a MUST make
- Ranch Dressing: Creamy and a kid favorite
How to Store:
These are perfect for storing and last in the refrigerator or freezer for a good amount of time. Then when ready simply reheat for lunch or snacks when needed.
- Refrigerator: Once they are cooled completely, place in a ziplock bag and store in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days long. It is best to warm up in the oven but the microwave will do too.
- Freeze: After they are cooled place on a sheet pan in a freezer for about 20 to 30 minutes. Once frozen, place in a ziplock bag or freezer bag and store in the freezer for 3 months. Taking out chicken when needed and reheat in the oven or microwave.
More Chicken Recipes:
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Garlic Parmesan Chicken Tenders
Equipment
- Utopia Kitchen Cooking Knives
- Microplane Grater
- Nordic Wave Baking Sheet
Ingredients
!Chicken
- 1 1/4 pounds chicken tenders boneless skinless
- 1/2 cup white flour
- Salt and Pepper
- 6 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup Panko
- 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated
- Famous Fry Sauce
Instructions
- Trim the fat from the tenders.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Set out three bowls. Fill one with the white flour, about 1/4 teaspoon pepper, & about 1/2 teaspoon salt. Stir,
- Fill the next bowl with the olive oil or butter and minced garlic. Stir.
- Place the basil, paprika, Panko, and parmesan cheese in the last. Stir.
- Place the tenders in the flour mixture, then the garlic oil, then the panko mixture making sure to evenly and thoroughly coat each piece.
- Place the tenders on the sheet and then place in the oven.
- Cook for 15 minutes and then flip the tenders and cook for another 5-8 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
- Remove and enjoy immediately with the dipping sauce!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Super easy tenders!! I usually make them and then use them in a parmesan chicken baked ziti dish. My boyfriend always has me make extra so he can sneak a couple of tenders before they go into the ziti!! They always turn out tender and delicious.
This sounds good but do you use plain Panko or seasoned Panko? Thank you so much
Either Panko will work but I prefer the seasoned Panko.
I have made this several times but tonight did alittle differently. I used the basic coating ( kinda sort of, no Parmesan, I ran out). I air fried, 8 minutes, flip, 5 minutes. Served on Crustini Rolls with “Fry Sauce” and lettuce, garden tomatoes and sweet onion. Marinara on the side (in case someone wanted it. My husband said it was the best chicken sandwich he has ever had❤️
I made this yesterday for dinner. I had bread crumbs available, so I used that instead of panko. Still turned out great and loved by everyone. Thank you
Since I had small tenders, I cooked these at 400F for ten minutes, and then flipped over for another 5. They were nice and crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside. Delicious! My only criticism is that they were not seasoned enough for my family’s taste. I will definitely make again but will add more spices to the Panko mixture. Thanks for the recipe!
I agree….. I added additional seasoning to my salt and pepper for extra seasoning.
So tender and so crispy, However, I must admit I goofed big time as I forgot to add Parmesan to Panko. Won’t happen again as I will most definitely make this easy recipe again. I dipped my tenders in peanut sauce.
The recipe is perfect as is. I cut my tenders out of chicken breasts, and I am always amazed at how moist the tenders turn out. I’ll try the fry sauce one day, but usually dip my tenders in Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce.
Can use an air fryer?
Yum! That will be delicious in an air fryer.
Somehow knee deep in quarantine I stumbled upon your website- I made this last night for my 3 teenagers and made the Baked Parmesan Chicken for my husband and I- Both were so good! My husband butted in to the tenders and saved his chicken to use in a sandwich for lunch. Was fun to actually have my family love what I made- Thanks so much for your recipes! Since Im on a role- we are trying the turkey taco stuffed avocados tonight. To be continued… 🙂
I love your comment! Esp the part about all teens loving what you cooked. Girl, I’m convinced. Will be making tonight for mine! 🙂
I did mine in the air fryer 12 minutes flip at 4 minutes came out great
Thanks
Absolutely delicious, so moist, the best chicken tenders, will be making them again and again.
I got a “damn Kimmie that was good”. No dipping sauce was needed.
Omg these were amazingly moist inside and crispy out..I used Romano cheese instead of parm, put flour in a bag and shook the tenders to coat, rolled next in chopped garlic and olive oil ,then seasoned panko and Romano.. for my dipping sauce I mixed plain yogurt,beer mustard and spicy barbecue sauce to tast. We like a kicky sauce… then last 8 min baked my zucchini fries that Intossed with olive oil, rosemary,garlic,and onion granulated powders and pepper.. our new menus item from now on..delish and easy..
Everyone loved this meal. It was easy to make and the sauce really enhanced it. Will make again.
These chicken tenders were so good the whole family loved! My picky 4 year old devoured them and my 10 month old was waiting for more to be given! My husband who never gets seconds of chicken even got more? thanks so much for this recipe, it will go into my weekly rotation!
Awesome recipe. Definitely a go-to dinner that everyone loves!!