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These Oven Baked Chicken Tenders are a total hit in our household. They’re all about super tender chicken that’s light, crunchy, and super flavorful, coated in creamy parmesan.
Who doesn’t love a delicious and crispy chicken tender? Especially when they are homemade and baked to perfection, you have to try our Oven Baked Chicken Tenders!
HERE IS WHAT OUR READERS ARE SAYING:
“So good. Leftovers were delicious too. I made half with bread crumbs and half without. Both were excellent. ” – Donna
They are much healthier than fried tenders and just as tasty. This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a fun weekend meal.
Making these crispy chicken tenders is a breeze. With simple ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have a fantastic dish ready in no time.
The combination of parmesan cheese, panko bread crumbs, and a mix of spices creates a crunchy coating that everyone will love.
Plus, baking the tenders in the oven gets you healthier chicken tenders. It’s also easier to clean up than frying.
These homemade chicken tenders are great for kids and adults alike. They’re perfect on their own, but they also pair well with a variety of dipping sauces and side dishes.
This is such an easy chicken recipe, but with BIG flavor. Let’s look even more into these Oven Baked Chicken Tenders!
Some of our other favorite chicken recipes we have on our site include: Popcorn Chicken, Chinese Chicken Recipe, and Italian Lemon Chicken Foil Packet.
Jump to:
- WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- HOW TO MAKE OVEN BAKED CHICKEN TENDERS:
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
- WHAT ARE CHICKEN TENDERS?
- WHAT ARE PARMESAN BAKED CHICKEN TENDERS?
- CAN I USE CHICKEN BREASTS IF I DON’T HAVE CHICKEN TENDERS?
- WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHICKEN TENDERS?
- HOW TO STORE:
- DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Parmesan Coated Oven Baked Chicken Tenders
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Crispy and Flavorful Coating: The mixture of panko breadcrumbs (not just regular breadcrumbs), parmesan cheese, and spices creates a deliciously crispy and flavorful coating.
- Healthier Option: Baking the chicken tenders instead of frying them reduces the amount of oil and calories, making them a healthier option.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is easy to follow and perfect for busy weeknights.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Chicken tenderloins
- Parmigiano-reggiano cheese or parmesan cheese of your choice
- Mayonnaise
- Garlic powder
- Kosher salt
- Dried oregano
- Dried basil
- Onion powder
- Fresh black pepper
- Panko breadcrumbs or breadcrumbs of your choice
HOW TO MAKE OVEN BAKED CHICKEN TENDERS:
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large sheet tray with parchment paper.
- Place the chicken tenders about 2 inches apart on to the prepared sheet tray.
- In a small bowl, mix together the parmesan, mayonnaise, garlic powder, salt, oregano, basil, onion powder, and pepper.
- Evely spread the mixture on top of each chicken tender.
- Top each tender evenly with the breadcrumbs.
- Bake for 13-15 minutes until the internal temperature of the tenders reaches 165°F; they will be golden brown and bubbly.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
WHAT ARE CHICKEN TENDERS?
Finger food! Chicken tenders, or chicken tenderloins, are a part of the breast.
The tender itself runs along the bottom side of the breast, where the meat meets the bone.
Since chicken tenders are part of the breast, they are considered white meat chicken.
They are known for being tender and juicy, making them perfect for this recipe.
WHAT ARE PARMESAN BAKED CHICKEN TENDERS?
Parmesan baked chicken tenders are a delicious twist on traditional baked chicken tenders.
Instead of being breaded and then baked, this recipe uses a mayonnaise mixture loaded with garlic powder, oregano, basil, and parmesan cheese.
This creates a flavorful and addictive coating that makes these crispy tenders stand out.
CAN I USE CHICKEN BREASTS IF I DON’T HAVE CHICKEN TENDERS?
Yes, you can use boneless skinless chicken breasts if you don’t have chicken tenders.
Simply cut the chicken breasts against the grain into 1-inch strips.
Then, follow the rest of the recipe as directed.
Both chicken breast strips and chicken tenders work perfectly in this recipe.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHICKEN TENDERS?
These chicken strips can be served with all kinds of things!
If you ask a kid, you’ll find out that they’re the perfect easy dinner, haha!
It’s something the whole family will love.
Some great options include a side salad with creamy garlic salad dressing, Parmesan Smashed Potatoes, Roasted Brussel Sprouts, Zucchini Rice Casserole, and Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes.
Think easy weeknight dinners!
They also pair well with your favorite sauce like honey mustard sauce, BBQ sauce, or your favorite dressing.
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator: Store the leftover chicken tenders in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
They will keep well for up to 3-4 days.
Reheat them in the oven or air fryer to maintain their crispy texture.
Freezer: Freezing them is also a great way to go.
Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid.
Then transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container.
They will keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven or air fryer before serving.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Use Parchment Paper: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the tenders from sticking and to make cleanup easier.
- Check the Internal Temperature: Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F for safe eating.
- Even Coating: Make sure to evenly coat each chicken tender with the mayonnaise mixture and breadcrumbs for a uniform crispy texture.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Place the tenders about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet to ensure they cook evenly and get crispy.
- Add Some Heat: If you like a little kick in your chicken tender recipe, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture.
- Try Different Breads: Experiment with different types of breadcrumbs like whole wheat or gluten-free to suit your dietary preferences.
Oven Baked Chicken Tenders are a fantastic dish that everyone will love.
They are crispy, flavorful, and easy to make.
Enjoy them with your favorite dipping sauce and side dishes for a complete meal.
You can’t go wrong with an easy recipe like this one!
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
Parmesan Coated Oven Baked Chicken Tenders
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenderloins
- 1/2 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese fresh grated, or parmesan cheese of your choice
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs or breadcrumbs of your choice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large sheet tray with parchment paper.
- Place the chicken tenders about 2 inches apart on to the prepared sheet tray.1 pound chicken tenderloins
- In a small bowl, mix together the parmesan, mayonnaise, garlic powder, salt, oregano, basil, onion powder, and pepper.1/2 cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese, 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon dried basil, 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper
- Evely spread the mixture on top of each chicken tender.
- Top each tender evenly with the breadcrumbs.1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Bake for 13-15 minutes until the internal temperature of the tenders reaches 165°F; they will be golden brown and bubbly.
Notes
- Use Parchment Paper: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the tenders from sticking and to make cleanup easier.
- Check the Internal Temperature: Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F for safe eating.
- Even Coating: Make sure to evenly coat each chicken tender with the mayonnaise mixture and breadcrumbs for a uniform crispy texture.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Place the tenders about 2 inches apart on the baking sheet to ensure they cook evenly and get crispy.
- Add Some Heat: If you like a little kick in your chicken tender recipe, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the breadcrumb mixture.
- Try Different Breads: Experiment with different types of breadcrumbs like whole wheat or gluten-free to suit your dietary preferences.
Nutrition
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Delicious & easy! I only added some ground up fried onions 🤤 to your recipe.
Made this with Chicken Breasts..Very delicious
Very easy and fast
So good. Leftovers were delicious too. I made half with bread crumbs and half without. Both were excellent. If you read the directions there is a misspelled word. If you want to correct it ‘evely’ should be evenly.