Description
This Oven-Baked Crispy Parmesan Chicken Tenders recipe offers a healthier alternative to fried chicken tenders while delivering a crunchy, flavorful coating. Coated with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and aromatic spices, these tenders bake to golden perfection in just 35 minutes. Perfect for a family dinner or a tasty snack, they’re easy to prepare and pair wonderfully with your favorite dipping sauces.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1½ pounds chicken tenders (or chicken breasts cut into strips)
Coating Mixture
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Egg Wash
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
Others
- Olive oil spray or cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray it with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Coating Mixture: In a shallow bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to evenly distribute the spices and cheese.
- Prepare Egg Wash: In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until fully blended, creating a smooth egg wash for coating the chicken.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken tender first into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated, then dredge it in the breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture to completely cover the chicken strips.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Place the coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each piece to allow proper air circulation and even baking.
- Apply Olive Oil Spray: Lightly spray the tops of the coated chicken tenders with olive oil spray. This helps achieve a crispy, golden texture when baked.
- Bake: Bake the tenders in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. Bake until they are golden brown, crispy, and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure they are fully cooked.
- Serve: Serve the crispy Parmesan chicken tenders hot, alongside your favorite dipping sauces for a delicious meal or snack.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, use panko breadcrumbs rather than regular breadcrumbs.
- If you prefer spicier tenders, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder to the breadcrumb mixture.
- Ensure chicken tenders reach the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) using a meat thermometer.
- You can substitute chicken breasts cut into strips if chicken tenders are unavailable.
- Olive oil spray is key to achieving the crispy texture without deep-frying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
