Homemade Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken Tenders: The Ultimate Family Favorite
There’s something inherently comforting and universally loved about chicken tenders. They’re a staple on kids’ menus and a go-to for many adults seeking a quick, satisfying meal. However, the thought of deep-frying at home can be daunting and messy, often leading families to rely on frozen, pre-packaged options that lack the fresh, vibrant flavor of homemade. That’s where these Homemade Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken Tenders come in. While the preparation might involve a little hands-on fun (and perhaps a touch of glorious mess!), the end result is incredibly rewarding: succulent, flavorful chicken coated in a crispy, cheesy, garlicky crust that everyone, especially the kids, will adore. It’s a healthier alternative to fried versions, packed with taste, and surprisingly simple to whip up for a busy weeknight dinner or a casual weekend treat.
Why You’ll Love These Baked Chicken Tenders
This recipe isn’t just another way to cook chicken; it’s a game-changer for family meals. Here’s why these baked Parmesan garlic chicken tenders will quickly become a cherished part of your culinary rotation:
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of savory Parmesan, aromatic garlic, and a hint of tang from the mayonnaise creates a flavor profile that’s rich and satisfying without being overpowering. The breadcrumb coating bakes to a beautiful golden crisp, delivering a delightful texture with every bite.
- Kid-Friendly Perfection: Let’s face it, getting kids to eat a wholesome meal can be a challenge. But chicken tenders are almost universally loved by children, and this homemade version takes that appeal to the next level. The familiar shape and delicious taste make them an instant hit, and knowing exactly what goes into them gives parents peace of mind.
- Healthier Alternative: Baking rather than deep-frying significantly reduces the fat content, making these tenders a much lighter option. You get all the crispy goodness without the excess oil, contributing to a more balanced meal.
- Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal: From prep to plate, this recipe is designed for efficiency. With just about 35 minutes of total time, you can have a delicious, home-cooked meal on the table, perfect for those busy evenings when time is of the essence.
- Simple Ingredients: You won’t need an extensive shopping list for this recipe. It relies on common pantry staples that are likely already in your kitchen, making it incredibly accessible.
- Customizable Fun: While the base recipe is fantastic, it’s also highly adaptable. You can easily tweak the seasonings, offer various dipping sauces, or even involve the kids in the coating process for a fun, interactive cooking experience.
Forget the drive-thru or the freezer aisle; these homemade tenders offer superior taste, health benefits, and the joy of a meal prepared with love.
⏲️ Time Needed
One of the best aspects of this recipe is its efficiency, making it an ideal choice for busy schedules. You’ll spend approximately 15 minutes on the preparation, which includes combining the mayonnaise mixture and coating each chicken tenderloin. This hands-on time is relatively quick and can even be a fun activity to get the kids involved! Once coated, the tenders bake to perfection in just 20 minutes in a preheated oven. This brings the total time from start to finish to approximately 35 minutes. It’s a fantastic option when you need a delicious and satisfying meal on the table without a lot of fuss.
🥘 Key Ingredients Breakdown
This recipe shines because of its simple yet impactful ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in creating the tender’s signature flavor and texture:
- Mayonnaise: More than just a binder, mayonnaise acts as the flavorful “glue” that allows the breadcrumbs and Parmesan to adhere beautifully to the chicken. It also contributes moisture and a subtle tang, helping to keep the chicken tender and juicy as it bakes. You can use full-fat or light mayonnaise, depending on your preference.
- Parmesan Cheese: This is where a significant part of the savory, umami flavor comes from. Grated Parmesan cheese not only adds a salty, nutty depth but also helps create a wonderfully crispy crust when baked. For the best results, use freshly grated Parmesan if possible, as it melts and crisps more effectively than pre-shredded varieties.
- Garlic Powder: A staple in any pantry, garlic powder provides a consistent, mellow garlic flavor throughout the coating. It’s much easier to incorporate evenly than fresh minced garlic for this type of application, ensuring every tender is infused with that classic garlicky goodness.
- Italian Seasoned Bread Crumbs: These bread crumbs are the foundation of our crispy coating, bringing both texture and a pre-blended mix of Italian herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme. This saves you the step of adding individual seasonings. If you only have plain breadcrumbs, you can easily turn them into seasoned ones by mixing in a teaspoon of Italian seasoning, a pinch of salt, and a dash of black pepper per cup of breadcrumbs.
- Skinless, Boneless Chicken Tenderloins: The star of the show! Chicken tenderloins are naturally soft and cook quickly, making them ideal for this recipe. Their inherent tenderness ensures a delightful texture. If you can’t find tenderloins, you can easily substitute boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into uniform 1-inch thick strips. Just ensure the pieces are similarly sized for even cooking.
With these few, straightforward ingredients, you’re well on your way to creating a homemade meal that rivals any restaurant-quality chicken tenders.
🌾 Gluten-Free Adaptation
For those managing gluten sensitivities or catering to a gluten-free diet, these chicken tenders can be easily adapted without sacrificing flavor or crunch. The key lies in substituting the Italian seasoned breadcrumbs. Here are a few excellent options:
- Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs: Many brands now offer high-quality gluten-free breadcrumbs in both plain and seasoned varieties. While they can sometimes be a bit pricier than conventional breadcrumbs, they provide a very similar texture and crispiness. Always check the label to ensure they are certified gluten-free.
- Crushed Corn Flakes: A fantastic and often more affordable alternative. Simply crush plain corn flakes (ensure they are gluten-free, as some contain malt flavoring) into fine crumbs. They deliver an incredibly satisfying crunch and a subtle sweetness that pairs well with the Parmesan and garlic.
- Almond Flour: For a lower-carb and naturally gluten-free option, almond flour works wonderfully. It creates a slightly different, more delicate crust, but still bakes up beautifully golden. You might find the coating less uniform than with breadcrumbs, but the flavor is rich and delicious.
- Crushed Gluten-Free Crackers: If you have any favorite gluten-free crackers on hand, crushing them into crumbs can offer a unique, savory coating. This is a great way to use up leftover crackers and add another layer of flavor.
- Pork Rinds (for Keto/Low-Carb): For an even lower-carb, keto-friendly option, finely crushed pork rinds can create an exceptionally crispy and savory coating. Their natural saltiness complements the Parmesan and garlic beautifully.
Whichever gluten-free option you choose, the rest of the recipe remains the same, ensuring you can enjoy these delicious chicken tenders regardless of dietary restrictions.
📋 Instructions: Mastering the Coating Technique
The beauty of these tenders lies in their simplicity, but a few key techniques ensure perfect results every time. Follow these steps for crispy, flavorful chicken:
- Prepare Your Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). A hot oven is crucial for achieving that desirable crispy coating and ensuring the chicken cooks through quickly and evenly. While the oven heats, you can prepare the coating.
- Mix the Flavorful Coating Base: In a medium bowl, combine the mayonnaise, grated Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder. Stir these ingredients together until they form a smooth, well-combined mixture. This mayonnaise base will be the flavorful adhesive for your breadcrumbs. In a separate, shallow dipping container (a pie plate or a shallow bowl works well), spread out the Italian seasoned bread crumbs. This setup makes the coating process much easier and cleaner.
- Coat Each Tenderloin: Take each chicken tenderloin and generously spread the mayonnaise mixture over all sides, ensuring a good, even layer. Then, immediately dip the mayonnaise-coated tenderloin into the bread crumbs, pressing gently to make sure both sides are thoroughly coated. The mayonnaise acts like a magnet, attracting and holding onto those delicious crumbs.
- Arrange for Optimal Crispiness: Place the coated chicken tenders on a silicone baking sheet. If you don’t have a silicone sheet, line a metal baking sheet with aluminum foil for easier cleanup. It’s important to arrange the tenders in a single layer, ensuring they don’t touch each other. This allows hot air to circulate around each piece, promoting maximum crispiness on all sides. Overcrowding the pan can lead to steamed, rather than crispy, chicken.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake in your preheated oven for 20 minutes. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the thickness of your chicken and your oven’s calibration. You’ll know they’re ready when the chicken juices run clear (an internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C) and the breadcrumb coating is beautifully golden brown and crispy.
Once baked, remove the tenders from the oven and let them rest for a minute or two before serving. This brief rest helps the juices redistribute, resulting in even more tender and flavorful chicken.
💭 Tips for Perfect Parmesan Garlic Chicken Tenders
Achieving perfectly crispy and tender chicken is easy with a few simple tricks:
- Minimize the Mess: Coating chicken can get a bit messy, but there are ways to manage it. While dipping the tenders by hand might feel intuitive, using a spoon or a small spatula to spread the mayonnaise mixture can keep your hands cleaner. Alternatively, if you don’t mind a little mess or want to involve the kids, disposable gloves are a fantastic solution. Most children love helping in the kitchen and often don’t mind getting their hands a little dirty for the sake of delicious food!
- Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: As mentioned in the instructions, always arrange your chicken tenders in a single layer on the baking sheet, leaving a small space between each piece. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of baking, resulting in a soggy coating rather than a crispy one. If you have a large batch, bake them in two separate batches or use two baking sheets.
- For Extra Crispy Tenders: If you desire an even crispier exterior, once the tenders are fully cooked, you can place them under the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes. Keep a very close eye on them, as they can go from perfectly golden to burnt very quickly under the broiler. This quick burst of high heat adds a delightful extra crunch.
- Prep Ahead Option: You can prepare the chicken tenders up to a few hours in advance. Coat them as instructed, then place them on the baking sheet and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until you’re ready to bake. This can be a great time-saver for busy weeknights.
- Serving Suggestions Beyond Dipping: While these tenders are fantastic on their own or with classic dipping sauces like ranch, honey mustard, or marinara, consider shredding them for a delicious chicken Caesar salad, adding them to wraps, or dicing them for a kid-friendly pasta topping.
- Storage and Reheating: Leftover chicken tenders can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat and maintain crispiness, avoid the microwave. Instead, pop them back into a preheated oven (around 350°F / 175°C) or an air fryer until heated through and crisp again, usually about 10-15 minutes.
- Flavor Variations: Feel free to experiment with the seasonings. A pinch of smoked paprika can add a subtle smoky depth, a touch of onion powder complements the garlic, or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice over the cooked tenders can brighten the flavors. For a hint of spice, a tiny dash of cayenne pepper in the mayonnaise mixture can add a pleasant kick.
These tips will help you create a batch of baked Parmesan garlic chicken tenders that are consistently delicious, crispy, and a guaranteed family favorite!
Recipe Card: Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken Tenders
Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken Tenders
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Ingredients
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 2 pounds chicken tenderloins, boneless & skinless
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 425°F.
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Combine the mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, and garlic powder in a bowl. Place bread crumbs in a shallow dipping container.
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Spread mayonnaise mixture on each tenderloin, then dip each tenderloin into the bread crumbs to coat both sides.
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Place coated chicken on a silicone baking sheet or a metal baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.
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Bake 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until chicken juices run clear and coating is golden brown.
Notes
If you don’t want to get your hands messy, wear disposable gloves or get the kids involved—most kids enjoy helping and don’t seem to mind the mess.
Nutrition per serving
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🥗 Perfectly Paired Side Dishes
No delicious main course is complete without equally satisfying side dishes. For these kid-friendly Parmesan garlic chicken tenders, it’s a great idea to pair them with sides that are also appealing to children or offer a delightful contrast in flavors and textures. Here are some fantastic options:
- Creamy Macaroni and Cheese: This classic comfort food is a guaranteed hit with kids and complements the savory chicken tenders perfectly. The rich, cheesy sauce provides a creamy counterpoint to the crispy tenders, creating a truly satisfying meal.
- Easy 15-Minute Microwave Acorn Squash: For a healthier and surprisingly quick side, acorn squash offers a subtly sweet and earthy flavor. Its soft texture provides a nice contrast to the tenders’ crunch, and the microwave method makes it incredibly convenient, adding a touch of healthy vegetables to your meal without much effort.
- Refreshing Apple Raisin Salad: If you’re looking for something lighter and fruitier, this salad is a wonderful choice. The crispness of fresh apples, the chewiness of raisins, and a light dressing provide a refreshing and tangy element that cuts through the richness of the chicken, offering a well-rounded meal experience.
- Homemade French Fries or Roasted Potatoes: You can’t go wrong with potatoes! Whether you opt for crispy oven-baked French fries or simply seasoned roasted potato wedges, they are a universally loved side that pairs perfectly with chicken tenders.
- Steamed or Roasted Broccoli/Green Beans: For a simple and nutritious vegetable option, lightly steamed or roasted broccoli florets or green beans can add color, nutrients, and a fresh bite to the plate. A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top can tie it into the main dish’s flavor profile.
- Simple Garden Salad: A fresh green salad with a light vinaigrette is always a good choice to balance a meal. It adds a refreshing crunch and helps lighten the overall experience.
Choosing the right sides can elevate your meal from good to absolutely great, ensuring everyone at the table finds something they love!
📌 Pin This Recipe for Later
Loved this recipe? Make sure to save it for future reference! Pin this image to your favorite Pinterest boards so you can easily find it whenever you’re craving a batch of these delicious, homemade baked Parmesan garlic chicken tenders. It’s the perfect addition to your collection of kid-friendly meals, quick dinner ideas, or healthy chicken recipes. Share the love and let others discover this amazing family favorite!
Enjoy Your Delicious Homemade Tenders!
And there you have it! A comprehensive guide to making the most delectable, crispy, and incredibly flavorful Baked Parmesan Garlic Chicken Tenders right in your own kitchen. This recipe proves that homemade doesn’t have to be complicated, and healthy doesn’t have to mean sacrificing taste. With minimal prep time and simple ingredients, you can bring joy to your family’s dinner table, satisfying even the pickiest eaters. Whether it’s the star of a weeknight dinner, a fun party appetizer, or a healthy lunch option, these tenders are sure to become a cherished recipe. We hope you enjoy making and devouring this delightful dish as much as we do. Happy cooking!